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superman was one of my childhood hero's.thank's for bringing back some good times.i can't wait to get more dvd's.
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Jack Larson, playing Jimmy Olsen, was probably the last adult actor of the 20th century to be able to convincingly utter the word `jeepers,' and that fact says something about the value of this wonderful series. Jack Larson's portrayal of young Olsen was so popular that, in 1954, DC comics gave Jimmy Olsen his own comic book.
By this time also, Jimmy's role in the weekly Superman TV show had expanded. At least 3 episodes from this collection, 'Olsen's Millions,' 'King for Day,' and 'The Bully of Dry Gulch' were lifted directly from the early issues of the Jimmy Olsen comic book. (BTW, the original, comic book versions of these `Jimmy Olsen' stories were written by none other than Otto Binder, the legendary sci-fi author who wrote the best of the original Capt. Marvel comics. Superman's publishers had, by 1954, sued Capt. Marvel out of existence, but Binder, along with artists Kurt Schaffenberger and Pete Costanza, eventually went to work on Superman's magazines. Superman's magazines, in turn, gradually absorbed many of the traits of Capt. Marvel stories.)
Seasons 3-4, the 1st two seasons filmed in color, mark an increase in humor, whimsy, and sometimes all-out goofiness, when compared to the seasons 1-2, which were in B/W. There is still plenty of excitement and peril in these episodes, but when I was 12 years old, watching this series for the 1st time (rerun by Channel 33 in Youngstown, Ohio), the humorous and whimsical touches used to bug me: I took my heroes extremely seriously, and didn't like the implication that this could be in any way a `kiddie' show.
I am in my 40's now, and do not take it as a personal insult when I watch these episodes. Most of the time, you still get a disciplined, well-constructed, well-acted story that usually involves either Superman or the audience trying to solve some sort of puzzle. Usually too, either Jimmy, Lois, Perry or any combination thereof faces some sort of mortal peril.
It should also be noted of course, that the Supeman comics published during this period (and up through 1980'S!) often featured stories that where deliberately humourous of goofy as well, so it can be argued the the producers were just taking their cues from the funnies.
One thing that impresses me as an adult, besides the understated but high quality writing, is the dedication and professionalism of the cast. If you really study George Reeves, you will see that in every scene the man was ON, and that he really was a very good actor. For instance, if you observe him when he is about to pull off his Kent clothes to change to Superman, he always makes subtle movements of his arms, shoulders, hips, his head, any part(s) of his body, as if his muscles are literally wanting to burst out of his suit so he can spring into action.
Also, Reeves had a fantastic voice: strong, clear, intelligent and masculine, but with undertones of gentleness and kindness. Those qualities are the essence of Reeves's Superman. This idea of a man who could be simpultaneously strong, wise and compassionate, is probably why Reeves's Superman is so fondly remembered and still enjoyable. He is a kind of super father-figure.
In fact, from Season 2 and onward, the show featured the occasional child guest star, which of course was a device to reinforce kids' emotional involvement in the adventures. In these episodes, you can see that Reeves had an excellent chemistry with the kids, naturally paternal, so it's sad that Reeves never had children.
Likewise, the characters of Jimmy, Lois and Perry also resemble, perhaps unconsciously, family members of the target audience. Jimmy and Lois especially would tend to serve as surrogates for viewers, allowing audience members to imagine themselves sharing the adventures. But these characters would simultaneously have reminded youngsters of bothers and sisters, with Lois sometimes acting in place of a mother instead. The feeling of family is one of the things that distinguish this series from later versions.
And of course, when I was 12, it was easier to put myself in Jimmy Olsen's shoes and to imagine an annoying girl as Lois Lane. But now the time has come to channel the super father-figure, to feel my body surging with strength beneath my work clothes, simultaneously striving for wisdom and compassion. Jeepers, I hope I can do all that.
On the whole, these episodes are almost as good as those of Season 2, especially if you factor in the fact that the colors for Reeves' super suit look so great, and that Noel Neill definitely is prettier in color. Also, the special effects for the color seasons were more sophisticated than the B/W episodes. In fact, this collection has a really neat little featurette about Thol Simonson, the man who did the special effects, and he was still alive and looking good! (The man is 90 years old if he is a day!)
It's true that the color episodes do not have the `edge' that Season 1 and some of Season 2 had, but the overall tone of the series carries through, and all of the craftsmanship and charm is there. I highly recommend this product.
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This is a work of art!! Brings back great memories, my grandsons ages 5 and 9 LOVE it!! Even their friends think it is "way cool." Wholesome suspense and fun.
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I got scared when white streaks, crackles and pops, so common to old movies, prevailed in the opening Superman theme song, but they disappear after that. Each episode was clear and flawless.
I couldn't care less that Superman became less violent as the series progressed. I love the touch of humor and "campy" feel, as well as the addition of color.
No true Superman fan should be without these DVDs. They entertain, even after all these years.
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I just got my copy of Seasons 3 & 4 of Adventures of Superman. Special features include a piece entitled "Adventures of Superman: The Color Era" and another called "Faster Than a Speeding Bullet: The Special Effects of The Adventures Of Superman."
The former, about the series being filmed in color features interviews with Jack Larsen, Noel Neill, Gary Grossman (author of "Superman: Serial to Cereal") and a television historian whose name escapes me. All pretty much agree that it was a shrewd move of the producers to start filming the show in color, and saving the negatives until color television was common a decade later. In the words of Larsen, "Those guys were pretty smart."
The one about the sfx was mainly a profile and interview with Thol Simonson, along with Larsen and Neill. Both cast members were effusive with praise for Simonson, saying they always felt safe, no matter how risky the effect looked on screen. Something I had not seen before is a diagram of the "pan" apparatus and counterbalance that replaced the wires that had earlier suspended Reeves.
Episodes I have watched so far are "The Wedding of Superman," "The Big Freeze," and "Through the Time Barrier." As has been noted elsewhere, these stories are much less heavily dramatic as the nourish early episodes. However, the light comedy is not really campy, just good-natured. Also, Neill as Lois looks quite fetching in her cave-girl outfit in the time-travel story.
In fact, Ms. Neill still looks quite lovely in the new interview footage. She still has those same sparkling eyes and the lovely smile that gave me that first crush on Lois all those years ago.
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