Rating:  -
If your really into Superman then you have to have this dvd in your collection. Its a bit corny compared to what we see these days on the big screne but for its time it was great viewing. I had it on VHS but these days you have to have everything on DVD. Much better viewing
Rating:  -
Don't let the positive reviews fool you. The "Superman" serials are poorly made and not even good for laughs. Kirk Alyn looks OK as the Man of Steel, but gives a rather cheesy performance. I'll stick with George Reeves.
Rating:  -
The 1st Superman serial, the 1948 one, despite a few good sequences here and there, is not very good even by movie serial standards. (It is, however, a lot better than 'Superman Returns.')
The 1950 serial is much better, but still flawed by the silly cartoon flying sequences and Kirk Alyn's acting. Kirk Alyn is not a very good Superman at all: the only good things that can be said about him are 1)he is not Brandon Routh (from 'Superman Returns'), and 2) he bears a strong physical resemblance to the original 1940's comic strip Superman. The 'Adventures of Superman' TV show, which began filming only 1 year after the 2nd serial, was a quantum leap in every respect.
Artistic merits aside, I rate this product lower because for only $19.98 you can by both serials, or $9.99 per serial, on ebay from various bootleggers. The bootlegs I have seen are just as high quality as this product, only cheaper. I just don't like it when Warner tries to rip people off.
Another consumer tip: I would strongly advise against spending hard-earned money on this package if you haven't yet seen the 'Adventures of Captain Marvel' serial (1941), available on DVD via Amazon. The super-hero of that serial (Captain Marvel, of course!) is similar to Superman, but the actual movie serial is far superior to, and more fun than either Superman serial in every conceivable way. Also, the Captain Marvel serial is cheaper than this package.
All negatives aside, I will admit that these serials are at least fun and watchable. The actors who played, Lois, Jimmy, and Perry White are all great. And this package, although overpriced, is much better, far more entertaining, and truer to the character of Superman than 'Superman Returns.' Even at the overpriced cost of $30, this set is a better value than 'Superman Returns.'
Rating:  -
Superman - The 1948 & 1950 Theatrical Serials Collection This was a excellently presented package we really enjoyed it. Although it could of had a bit more on the extras side of things as not many people realise there was a Superman show before George Reeves it would have been good to see some interviews & archival material from the time . Overall we loved it .
Rating:  -
I had never seen the serial episodes until they were aired on TCM early in 2007. I determined then to get them on DVD. This was a perfect present for my 10-year-old, who is getting into superheroes. I am showing him the older episodes and comics, before it was considered archaic to be wholesome.
I was surprised just how many times our hero does his costume change within the serials, until I remember that these were shown once a month over a 4-month period.
Although George Reeves is THE Superman, its fun to see Kirk's interpretation.
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