George Reeves: The Legacy of TV's First Superman
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- Опубліковано 9 лип 2024
- A look back at the 1950s Adventures of Superman TV series starring George Reeves.
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#superman #dccomics #georgereeves #adventuresofsuperman - Розваги
There's a story out there about George Reeves playing Superman at a state fair. A little boy brought a pistol with him to see if bullets would bounce off Superman's chest. Reeves, cool as a cucumber, stays in character and tells the boy to hand him the gun......because he feared the bullets recocheting and striking other people. Truly a great actor.
Yeah, it was redone in the Affleck "superman" movie Hollywoodland
lol
🎉gotta love him
@@cryptking6283 the director originally wanted Kyle MacLachlan to play George Reeves. But the studio wanted someone more famous. Enter Ben.
@@deadstrobeOh my god, I didn’t know this, MacLachlan would have been perfect. Ben Affleck did ok, although he wasn’t able to capture the presence George had when he put on the cape and costume.
Thing for me George Reeves did so well as Clark Kent is show what mild-mannered really is. It isn't nerdy or incompetent. It just means someone who isn't prone to big displays of emotion.
You can see his Clark being a good reporter
The characterizations by several of the other Superman actors have always annoyed me. Christopher Reeve is the worst, I believe, as he plays Clark as a wimp, klutz, and almost an idiot. A super human from another planet would hide in plain sight without acting like a bumbling idiot, which would actually draw attention to himself. He would be just like George Reeves' version, confident, strong, in command, and always knowing that at any time, he was never in danger. The bumbler the others played would have most likely never have gotten the job Clark had. No one would hire him.
The first time Clark is in the office shows it all. George Reeves walks along the window ledge and asks Perry for the job. No experience, no references, but he still wants the job, goes and gets the story, and shows Perry he can do it.
Christopher Reeve has the job already, which is good, because he stumbles, is annoying, acts like a Forrest Gump before FG was popular, and frankly does not exude any confidence of being able to do any job, let alone this important one.
Most dislike Dean Cain, but his depiction of Clark as about the same. In one episode Lois said something about Superman, and Clark reminded her that Clark Kent was who he was and Superman is what he did. There were no two people in one body or split personalities.
I think George would be pleasently stunned at how much his fan base loves him to this day. God bless you, George!!!
I absolutely loved George Reeves’ interpretation of Superman and especially Clark Kent.
He was the BEST!
I was born in 1957. This was, for a long time, my definitive Superman. I became aware, later on, of the sad circumstances of his life. It's nice to see, even after all this time, some acknowledgement of his part in the whole 'superhero' cannon.
Being a baby boomer I spent my Saturday mornings with westerns, Sky King & of course Superman. I loved all the characters but George was & still is special to me. They all have a spot in my heart now approaching mid ‘70’s. Thank you Steve.
Congratulations. Perhaps the best, most accurate and well-spoken tribute to George Reeves I have seen. RIP George, you were the best.
George Reeves had a unique genuineness in his portrayal of Clark Kent and his alter ego "Superman" beloved super hero!
I celebrate his life not his death!
Rest forever in inner peace and happiness!
Rip George and Christopher.
Long live superman...
Oh and Steve
Please please please never stop ♥️
Couldn't get home soon enough, to watch Superman on tv in the 60s and 70s.😊
Reeves was my first experience of suicide as a child.
I discussed it frequently with my father, a rational, atheist engineer. I never could wrap my head around it.
Nobody talked about Reeves publicly after he died. He just disappeared.
That scared me worse than his actual death.
It's like our country, our culture, was so ashamed of him, like his personal crisis betrayed us.
I've seen every episode, multiple times.
Because, of course, despite the stigma, he was still bank in reruns.
I could not understand how this grinning, kind, strong, quiet guy could be shunned and erased like that.
That's more terrifying to a kid than a bullet wound to the head.
American culture did Reeves dirty.
That's the state of mental health in this red, white and blue hellscape.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 💲💯😢💗💪🏾
"Rocketship Seven' WKBW abc network, Buffalo with Dave Thomas.
I watched from Toronto
There's some evidence that George Reeves might not have committed suicide; check out the book Hollywood Kryptonite.
That may be why so many people believe he was murdered, because suicide was even more of a stigmatic thing than it is now. And it's still seen as "a coward's way out" and whatever else. While both situations are bad, murder seemed more "acceptable" at that time than suicide.
There was/still is a big controversy about whether or not George Reeves committed suicide or was murdered.
@divinelightshine I have to agree. He was excited about the new Superman season, had a fiance, left no suicide note, and gave no sign of depression. It was either murder or a real stupid accident after drinking too much.
George Reeves was the Superman I grew up with. That was my favorite TV show as a child by far. To this day I still get goosebumps when I hear the opening music and monologue from the show. I feel thrilled when I hear it, like something special and exciting is about to happen. I LOVED the show!!! The George Reeves Superman helped to inspire and inform my sense of morality. For me, he will always be the best Superman.
Amen to that!
I am a true die hard GEORGE REEVES - SUPERMAN- fan , collector, owning all the Adventures of Superman DVD's plus growing up in the 1950's I've watched every episode at least 10 times and my favorite, " PANIC IN THE SKY" about 50 times, I was deeply sadden when George Reeves died as at the time( I was 6) I really thought he was SUPERMAN!! Now I wish WB would remaster The Adventures of Superman to BLU RAY with more special features , even with commentaries by Mr. JIM NOLT!!
yesss love George Reeves, n love The Adventures of Superman!!
R.I.P. George Reeves!!!
Amen!!! Well said!!!
George Reeves was my first Superman. I remember watching reruns as a little kid (and as a kid, I knew how crazy the storylines were...but they were fun). I remember asking my father how come George Reeves wasn't still on TV and he told me that he had died before I was born. And that really made me sad. Christopher Reeve was the first big screen Superman I saw and I loved the movie. But George Reeves will always hold that little spot in my heart as my first Superman.
While I didn't watch much of George's portrayal of Superman, from what I've seen he did a good job with Superman for his time, and I definitely enjoyed his cameo in the "I love Lucy" series.
Thank showing everyone from our generation our first and best superman George Reeves was. He truly was the true essence of how superman really is. Thank you for that . I to this day still miss George Reeves superman and the excellent job he did. God Bless you Steve. From Edwin.
He was the Superman I grew up with !!!! 😊😊 What a great man...
An excellent journalistic presentation that leaves some of us with teary eyes for sure. There really was something very special about our true and beautiful, real Superman...
I remember growing up with this Superman, having been 7 in 1958. You've nailed it beautifully.
Random question I ask to everyone when they have a comment like this.
You were 7 in 1958, how did you see the decades as they went by?
I'm born 1980, so I've seen the leftovers of late 60's & 70's but really came into my character in the 90's and early 2000's
What where the 70's, 80's & 90's for you?
What a beautiful tribute to the show and to George Reeves. Thank you!
By far the best! Nobody else even comes close!
Well said n so true!!
This was my show. As a boy, living in San Francisco, I was alone with my older sister (she was probably ten), when an earthquake hit. Everyone in the apartment building rushed outside. I refused because I was watching Superman.
I'm already having a tough week, and then you go and make me cry, Steve. Being born in the mid-70s, The Adventures of Superman were on in syndication in the afternoons, along with Star Trek and Batman. Those three shows were a huge part of my childhood, but you succinctly explain just what made Reeves' portrayal so wonderful. Sure, my favorite superhero was Batman, and Kirk, Spock and McCoy helped round out my moral code, but I looked up to his Superman the same way I looked up to my father. They were strong men who could do anything in my eyes, but they were both men who I knew I could feel safe with. They were protectors, and they were always there with an encouraging word or would be there to catch you when you fell. Sure, I've truly enjoyed other actors in the role, but Reeves was my first Superman. Thanks for this one, Steve.
This is probably one of our best videos it felt more personal to you and seemed heartfelt, worthy of the man and subject matter contained within.
Great talk, Steve. I'm not a comic book reader, and George Reeves was the only Superman of my childhood. Thanks for this memory.
I wonder who George Reeves' Superman could've been, the person he could've turned to for advice or support...given his end it seems like maybe he didn't have that person in his life, despite being that person for so many others. :(
That's what happens to many people who help others; in times of need, no one helps them. It's one of the cruel vicissitudes of life.
His murderer never saw justice.
I grew up with George Reeves Superman as my hero. When we first got TV I would be glued to it to watch the episodes every week day. While in my primary school years I was stung by an insect that would put me in hospital on the critically ill list. Every afternoon the nurses would put the Adventures of Superman on for me to watch in the ward. I purchased the DVDs a few years back and every now and then put a disc in and watch a few episodes. Still my hero.
this was way more touching than I expected... I wish I'd known him as more than the bad CGI cameo in The Flash. Thanks Steve.
THIS WAS GREAT! Bravo, Steve...and excellent presentation with real affection and sincerity for the actor and the show
I love this "Greatest X Ever" series so much. Steve, you have real passion for these characters.
Yeah. They have been perfect.
This was the superman of my childhood. Loved him in I Love Lucy with the name credit as Superman. I have a polaroid photo in storage of him at a fair with Kryptonite Man who only appeared with him at live appearances. Your parting words really hit hard and true. Thank you
Well done Steve! I grew up watching George Reeves playing Superman! He was the best! I would run around the house with a towel for a cape and jump off the furniture until my mom would yell at me to stop before I hurt myself. I wouldn't do that again until the next day then get into trouble again!
What an extraordinary documentary about George Reeves, the true Superman. Thank you so much for bringing TAOS back to me at my older age. I was only 4 years old when George died & my parents in shock when they read the NY daily news of his passing. Very sad day & I didn't fully understand his death until I was 7 years old. Love the fact that TAOS lives on. Chris Reeve played an amazing Superman & Clark Kent las close to comic book as possible & Superman 1 B.
Superman was my hero, idol growing up & could not wait to watch Superman after school.
I still can't believe he took his own life & always will suspect potential foul play.
I miss both George & Christopher so much. It aches me they both could not fulfill their golden years in peace & see how much they were loved.
RIP
So well expressed,thank you!
George Reeves' Superman was not only great TV for us when we were kids, he was such a great role model. Always on the side of doing what is right and being truthful and showing us how that always works out for the best. I don't see any such role models for children in all the rubbish they watch these days.
Again another fantastic video essay, I need to be honest here, when you do one of these, you almost bring a tear to my eye. Growing up in Australia during the 70's this was the superman that i first saw (yeah i know in many ways Australian tv was way behind the times back then), the way you described the series sent me back to then time, damn good work
Fellow Aussie here, but maybe a decade older LOL
CBN8 (Orange) showed:
Superman - George Reeves defined Superman to this Aussie kid
The Lone Ranger - Clayton Moore defined him
Hopalong Cassidy - William Boyd
ABC Channel One:
Robin Hood AND William Tell - Richard Greene was both.
Memories of hot summers and cold winters and being home to sit in front of the 24 inch B&W HMV TV, whilst mum cooked tea.
My favourite thing about GR was that he's not the kind of bulked-up 80's Muscle Man we get these days. He wasn't going to win Mr. Universe. You'd probably see two dozen guys like him at the beach.
my favorite Reeves superman is he gets shot at, but ducks when something is thrown at him.
A fine, touching tribute. I can't help thinking that if more and better mental health resources had been available, he might have lived to a ripe old age.
There was controversy about his death. The majority of his fans don't believe it was suicide...
For me, George Reeves will always be 'The Real Superman'!
As someone who has spent almost my entire life loving George Reeves and working to keep his memory alive, I found your video to be exceptionally good, Steve. I especially like your closing remarks. This Saturday, July 29, 2023, almost 90 fans will gather in Los Angeles to shine a light once more on George Reeves, the People's Friend, and to remember his legacy. In my opinion too, George Reeves was indeed the best Superman.
As a kid, I had two things to look forward to after school. Back to back. Sitting on the floor in front of the B&W TV, I would watch the Adventures of Superman followed by the first Japanese anime to be broadcast in the US, Astroboy. What a line-up. I am 68 and those were the days.
A Retro Superman would be great
I am 70 and I have always measured the Superman actors with George Reeves. He was superman. All these others that have played him I have had to force myself to follow the movie and their characters. Thanks for this article and the extensive coverage you studied and reported on this character, this actor.
When I worked on SUPERMAN (the Donner version) I met Noel Neil who played Lois lane in the original TV series. She and Kirk Alyn played the parents of Lois in the Smallville train cameo. She told me she was convinced that George R was murdered - that in no way was he suicidal. She played the original Lois with Kirk Alyn, too!
I grew up watching George Reeves "Superman". Loved every episode! The current remake, Superman & Lois, is more detailed, entertaining and delves into life's experiences in a marvelous way. Played by Tyler Hoechlin and Bitsie Tulloch who give a wonderful performance. 🙂
Supes going after that asteroid was awesome looking.
When I think of Superman, it's the George Reeves version that comes to mind for me. He was the best Superman ever! This was an excellent video.
Good video here "Steven Shives" telling us all about the legacy of TV's first Superman: George Reeves. Good work!
My favorite Superman. He did some crazy stuff on that show.
I loved watching these in the early 60's then at that time my oldest sister told me Superman wasn't real! I was so mad a her and to this day I tell her she ruined it for me, she is now 72 years old.
George's take-offs are still the best out of all the Supermen. That fucker would bound out of those windows. And he could bust through a wall like no other.
My first live action Superman - and one of the best IMHO.
Used to watch reruns of this show back in the 60s, it was on every afternoon when I came home from school. There were a few times the TV wasn't working, or I wasn't allowed to watch it, I would listen to it on a radio that picked up TV channels. Brings back a lot of memories
I like George Reeves I grew up in the 60 s watching Superman on television. But Let's get something clear and straight. The Best Superman Ever I Mean Ever Is The One And Only Mr. CHRISTOPHER REEVES. May God Bless Him . In This And Or Any Lifetime. Christopher Reeves Is Was Always Will Be The Best Superman
I was born before Superman was television when it was on tv I watched it all the time 😊love it
I was born in 57, so I didn't get to see Superman on TV. I finally got all the seasons of the George Reeves Superman when I was 60 years old. That was 5 years ago. What's weird, I had a very vivid Superman 2 dream, and it was George Reeves Superman. And he had help with Zod, Ursa, and Non.
I was born in '53 but reruns of Superman were common from the mid 1960s and 1970s on regular TV stations looking to show low budget programming. Later it could be seen on Networks such as Nickelodeon.
I remember watching this in the early 90s when it was on Nick at Nite.
Those gorgeous suits. George knew a good tailor.
I've never watched him. In fact I'm not a Superman fan at all and didn't know of George Reeves's existence. However, the love and passion you convey on this video is so magical that I can feel he needs this tribute and needs to be remembered. Thank you, Steve ❤
Try watching a few installments of the show. You just might see why Steve, our host, was moved to make this video.
Steve, I couldn't wait to come home and watch Superman (with him in the staring role) ever day. I loved that show.
For me he really is still the best Superman ever. This video is a great overview of the show and Reeves' work on it.
Thank you. Very well done. George Reeves to me was (and is) the definitive Superman. Always will be. Thanks again!
To Steve Shives ... your soliloquy at the end of the video was beautifully said. Very nice, indeed.
I should go back and watch this series. Haven't seen it since I was a kid.
He is one of my favourites
I hadn't watched any Superman-related content for a long time until I started watching "Smallville" Monday night. Glad that there will be a new movie.
No one will ever do it better than George Reeves.
In the Season 6 finale, Clark and Bizarro have their fight at Reeves Dam, an homage to George Reeves. 😎👍
Thanks for this, for me he was the best Superman ever. Saludos desde Buenos Aires.
Really well done, Steve. Glad you noted how respectful, polite, and fatherly Reeves made both of his characters.
For me, George Reeves is the only Superman. The rest are just copies. Even as an adult I would look to find when Superman was on; some college years I’d make my class schedule to let me watch a few times a week, and hoped it’s slot wouldn’t change when the schedule kicked in. I lived in the NYC suburbs was only on TAOS was only on Channel 11, WPIX, usually in the 4:30 slot, but starting as late as 5:30. Thank you for this wonderful look back at one of my most favorite shows of all time 😃!!!
That was a great commentary on your part. It truly captured both the actor, Geroge Reeves, playing the role of Superman, while at the same time,
describing the Superman, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olson and Perry White's characters and interactions and their incredible adventures together.
I was very young, about 5 years of age, when I started watching Superman in the early 1960's, obviously as re-runs. I was unaware of the "drama"
until I got older. Everything you said about the Superman role was spot on.....that is EXACTLY what came across the television.
The Superman episodes were great because they didn't venture into all those fantasy characters that modern super heroes contend with. People can relate fighting real crime in the streets without having to invent super villains. We are surrounded by villains, fight them.
I totally agree with you that Reeves' portrait of Clark Kent was as instrumental to the show's success as his portrait of Superman. Clark had his own life with his own friends. He was respected for the job he did and who he was as a person, not just the "mild-mannered" guy we have to put up with before SUperman arrives. You could almost do complete episodes with Clark as the protagonist, something forgotten in the modern incarnations (minus Smallville of course).
I love these “best ever” episodes. This one really got me in the feels, especially how much feeling Steve puts into his narration.
Those were different times for actors. The show made have made him famous as the character, but without residuals, etc, actors counted on work for money. Today we see how being famous for a character has value, but back then it could be a curse in your future.
What a fantastic presentation. I was aware of most of the facts presented as a lifelong fan of George Reeves' portrayal of Superman, but this was extremely well done and entertaining. Thank you. Certainly no disrespect to the other actors but, as it was with Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels as the best Lone Ranger and Tonto, George Reeves and Superman are one and the same in my book. George Reeves was something special!
DEFINITELY the best Superman, ever!!! Thank you for the great video and tribute.
Steve Shives videos are always interesting and informative and enjoyable to watch. Keep up the good work Steve Shives and I'll "we'll" keep watching your videos here on You Tube.
George Reeves was a great Superman and Clark Kent. As a kid I watched the Adventures of Superman whenever it was broadcast. As a comics fan I felt that the portrayal of him used the comics design of the character as a background support for the stories, not the stories themselves. George Reeves played his characters better than anyone else would or could have at the time. Christopher Reeve brought Superman back to prominence at a time when a hero was needed. Both of them gave their generation a man that you believed could fly and do unbelievable feats to save the day and lives. I wish the movie makers of today would take note of these portrayals and let Superheroes be like them in today’s movies. Instead of trying to create new heroes from the old versions, use those versions to enhance the new.
Great job Steve! Thank you! George Reeves' Superman was my hero and my favorite show as a child and my wife and I still watch the Adventures of Superman to this day when it's on.
One of the little things that I loved about the Richard Donner SUPERMAN (and it was a scene that was restored to its longer version in the television release and the director's cut of the film) was the scene in which the teenager Clark Kent played by Jeff East was running alongside a train on his way home. A little girl on the train saw him. As it turned out, that little girl was Lois Lane and she was travelling with her grandparents played by Noel Neil and Kirk Allyn.
So what I learned from this about the Adventures of Superman is that in the opinion of one Spokes-tiger "THEY'RE GREAT!"
So have we ever seen the Kool-Aid man and Superman at the same, maybe that's his secret identity?
Some of my favorite Superman comics were him and Jimmy Olson going down into the Bottled City of Kandor and them becoming a Batman/Robin type of hero in the City. WOuld love to see one of those as an episode
Watched as a kid. Thanks for this heart warming vid.
To be fair Perry White not only had an alien maid but also paid an alien reporter.
LOL
George Reeves is my favorite SUPERMAN! He gave his all portraying Clark Kent and SUPERMAN!
One of my favorite Reeves portrayals of Clark Kent, the man, is the apartment scene with Private Detective, Candy Meyers (Frank Jenks) in season 1, episode 13: The Stolen Costume. Substitute the fantastical costume for some other McGuffin like secret military plans, and you’ve got a mature action drama.
The Adventures of Superman with George Reeves has always been a favorite TV show... along with Zorro, Popeye, and Gunsmoke !
Oof, you lost me when you said that it was better than animated flying. I. ADORE that switch. It's one of my favorites. Yeah, it's noticeable, but magical to me. Thrilling, in all the ways today's CG enhances superhero films, and just how seamless it isn't makes it all the more charming.
Great show. I was born in 1953 and started watching Superman in 1957 at age 4.
Two notes:
1)Amazingly, Phyllis Coates is still alive at age 96. We should find her and tell her we still love her.
2) Reeves best movie was "So Proudly We Hail." He not only played a Superman type hero, but there were several scenes where the comic book character "Superman" is discussed. I'm pretty sure he got the role of Superman because somebody had seen him in this beautiful World War II film.
This then nine-year-old child burst out in tears when I saw the headline about George Reeves’ death. George Reeves was MY Superman (much as I love Christopher Reeve’s interpretation).
For my generation George Reeves was Superman His strange death still puzzles me
This was an awesome tribute!!!Steve Shives, Thank you! The older I get, the more i think that Reeve's Superman offers a subtle and nuanced take on the character, unknown since.
until this moment i've never felt about superman the way i do about star trek - but you did that for me - truth justice and the american way - if only that could be good for all - thanks as always for your excellent work - in solidarity with workers ever, especially those on the picket lines, SI SE PUEDE
no way !!! THAT HONOR GOES TO CHRISTOPHER REEVE !!!
George Reeves was the best superman grew up watching him as a kid.
I still watch the original TV show...it's that good
George Reeves was my Superman, the one I grew up with. The actors who took on the role for the later films did a great job within the massively different characterizations they were given but for me they just didn't live up to what I expected. I never had a problem with the Clark Kent persona either. To me he was a character who put on a bold face when people were watching him but ran in terror when he was alone.
Why did you make me tear up even though I've never seen a single episode of that version of Superman?
Thank you. He was my hero too.
THIS WAS AMAZING! Thank you Steve well done ❤
The Adventures of Superman had already been on the air for one year before George Reeves appeared in From Here to Eternity.
Sadly his role was edited down considerably because preview audiences were audibly, distracted by the fact that “Superman” was in the movie.
HOLLYWOODLAND starring Ben Affleck reenacted that incident.