Rating:  -
Look you've heard about it. You don't know quite what he is but I have to say he looks so great on the TV. It truly is amazing that nobody can see through the disguise being created with a pair of glasses and a business suit. Creating believability where none exists by fantastic acting makes episode after episode of the original TV Superman an amazing classic favorite and a must own complete series.
Especially in this day of computer technology and CGI you've got to take a step back and experience the original Action and Superman comic books put into a real life verson of this down to earth Superman.
Rating: -
This was just one of those rare TV series that clicked on every level. To see them in such excellent quality and in Color, no less, is beyond belief.
Rating:  -
Many have never seen Superman in color, especially if they only saw them in the fifties. The color quality is excellent. WB should have cleaned up the opening titles better, but overall the experience is quite satisfying.
Rating:  -
What are we reviewing here? How superb the cast was? How great the episodes that many of us haven't seen in years? How fantastic it is to see that they actually planned for the future and shot seasons 3-6 in color or are we reviewing the quality of the DVD? If it was the cast, the individual episodes and that those that foresaw the advancement of technology, then I would give it 5 stars, but the review should be of the quality of the DVD. Sure we can point out our favorite episodes and reminisce, but the quality is not there. The picture quality goes from extremely sharp and clear to something you would find in the $1.00 bin at a discount/drug store. I doubt any time went into this. It is almost as though they didn't even go to their vaults to locate the original negative, but took a copy of what they have passed to the television stations. If I was one of those who had put the time and effort into producing the episodes in color, so, if in time, technology allowed, future generations would see it in color, I would be totally disappointed in the product that was issued.
As has been pointed out, the opening is reproduced for each episode in poor quality. Next we get to the title of the episode. Has anyone else noticed, the episode title is always clear and sharp? Then, once we get into each episode, it is like a roller coaster of quality. Finally we go to the credits, and, just like the episode title, it is always clear and sharp. Why is it that the center of the film has deteriorated, but the title and credits are in perfect condition? One interesting note: In the first two seasons, they had Superman biographers and cast members doing commentary on select episodes, but not on this issue. Jack could have done commentary on his dual role in "Jimmy the Kid" and Noel could have done the same for "The Wedding of Superman". Could it be that they didn't want them to know how cheap and bad the quality of seasons 3 & 4 were? Not one episode is in pristine condition.
I believe that Warner Bros. pushed this for release to coincide for the new Superman movie. I don't think that they took time to find the original negatives nor attempted any type of restoration. They played on fans desire to purchase this fiasco of a transfer. I, like others, couldn't wait and purchased it on its first day of issue. I had seasons 1 and 2 which I was pleased with, I expected the same, like everyone else, for seasons 3 and 4. It didn't happen.
Maybe in four or five years, they will have 'discovered' the original negatives and re-issue a digitally restored version. One can only hope. Other studios are putting out quality vintage television show DVD's, Warner Bros. failed miserably with this one. Wonder if seasons 5 & 6 will also be issued from poor quality stock? I feel sorry for the surviving members of the cast (Noel Neill and Jack Larson) who probably thought Warner Bros. was going to issue a quality DVD, since this is, literally, their legacy, only to find out it's a cheap quality product. If we keep giving glowing reviews for content and not quality, this is an example of what we will see in future DVDs.
Recommend BUY USED, or borrow from a friend that has a copy. Send Warner Bros. a message that we want a quality product.
This review is solely on the quality and film transfer to DVD.
Rating: -
Yes, the episodes are complete and uncut, and in glorious digitally restored color, very vibrant. Don't expect the colors to be this vibrant when the last two seasons are released next, when the producer decided to save money on production. Generally, visual and audio quality are superb, and once again, we are shown why George Reeves became the favorite Superman of millions, and still is. His charm and warmth shines through at its best. I was never a big fan of the special features, although they do add a nice supplement. They could have added, for example, A&E's bio on George, or something of greater length and depth. Still, this is a must have for any George Reeves Superman aficionado.
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