Remembering George Reeves

[kingdom warrior]

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the death of actor George Reeves who for a Generation of children who became adults was to them and still is their definitive version of Superman.

Reeves died of an apparent suicide thought caused by the fact that his career
was going nowhere and he was trapped playing the role of Superman.

Over the years speculation and a sloppy job by the way the L.A.P.D dealt with his death has made many people over the years wonder if he really died of a suicide or he may have been murdered.

Jim Nolt who runs a great GR website wrote a great article about him
http://www.jimnolt.com/june1650yearslater.htm

George was the first Superman I ever saw portrayed so I have a fondness that runs a little deeper than Christopher Reeves who played the perfect Superman in the first 2 movies

When I was a kid I would never miss this and would wrap a towel around my neck and "Bounce" around the house pretending to be George's Superman.

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q290/MrAtomicThunder/2057-1433a.jpg
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q290/MrAtomicThunder/GRs.jpg

[Mikey]

To me, George Reeves will always be the definitive Superman.

Christopher Reeve was a fair forgery but lacked George's heart as Supes.

It's a shame the Adventures of Superman isn't played as often on TV today denying an entire new generation of how cool his Superman really is.

RIP, George

The true Man of Steel

[60'schild]

George was DEFINITELY "My" Superman...

Luckily, thanks to the DVD's, his Adventures will always be taking place....

(Much as I enjoyed Chris' performance years later, and to a far lesser extent, Dean Cain's, I still think of George as the definitive Superman).

Thanks for the post.

Happy Memories.

[SlipperyLilSuckers]

He was really special and is probably my favourite Superman too.

[Earth 2 Chris]

While Chris is my Superman, I admire the quiet strength George brought to the role. He seemed like an affable but tough father figure. The perfect Superman for his time. I always enjoyed the shows as a kid, and they still hold up well on DVD, mostly due to George's performance.

Oh, and I don't believe he committed suicide. I think he was murdered. Not sure by whom, but there were enough contenders to make it plausible.

Chris

[The Toyroom]

Just like Curt Swan's Supes is in my mind's eye when "Comic Book Superman" is mentioned, George Reeves is Superman for me when it comes to "live action".

[Nostalgiabuff]

I loved the show as a kid and still watch it occasionally on TV but the show is so dated and the effects so primitive it is hard to watch. Kids today will not sit through something like that. But George was always great and always had that twinkle in his eye.

[Mikey]

Kids today will not sit through something like that.

Back in the late 60's and 70's everyone watched the show and loved it, even though the SFX was 20 years old (at that time).

I think kids will watch and like almost anything -- unless they're told not too.

My parents loved the show and never put down the SFX and that rubbed off on me.

I learned early fantasy doesn't have to look real to be enjoyed

[Earth 2 Chris]

I loved the show as a kid and still watch it occasionally on TV but the show is so dated and the effects so primitive it is hard to watch. Kids today will not sit through something like that. But George was always great and always had that twinkle in his eye.

My kid watches these with me, as well as the Kirk Alyn serials. Heck, he even watches the Batman serials, and one chapter of those is enough for me!

Chris

[cjefferys]

For people interested in the topic, I'd recommend the film HOLLYWOODLAND. Don't know how accurate it is, as people still don't know what really happened, but it's a well done film that delves into the mystery of Reeves' death.

[ScottA]

I think the color and black & white custom of him that was done is one of my favorites.

I always enjoyed his shows.

[starsky]

For people interested in the topic, I'd recommend the film HOLLYWOODLAND. Don't know how accurate it is, as people still don't know what really happened, but it's a well done film that delves into the mystery of Reeves' death.

that was a great movie! i was just about to say the same thing!

[kingdom warrior]

For people interested in the topic, I'd recommend the film HOLLYWOODLAND. Don't know how accurate it is, as people still don't know what really happened, but it's a well done film that delves into the mystery of Reeves' death.

Although it's a good movie...It's full of inaccuracies. here is an article that breaks it down

http://www.jimnolt.com/hollywoodland.htm

[kingdom warrior]

In the movie Hollywoodland they recreate the film that George did to be a pitchman. In the movie it's thought that he did it to show he was not washed up......not true. He did the film while he was still doing Superman.

here is the original
LOST SUPERMAN CLIPS: GEORGE REEVES AT HOME KELLOGS COMMERCIAL TEST 1950s (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9057036112444478908)

[Mikey]

I've mentioned this before, but i'll recap.

What I liked about George Reeves's Superman was his Clark Kent and Kal El was one and the same .. which it should be ... George's "secret identity" was Superman.

Christopher Reeve was the opposite .. which isn't really how it should be.

Kal was raised on Earth and grew up to be Kal/Clark Kent ... not Superman.

That's why George's Kent was far better and more realistic then Chris's Kent.

Chris made a a baffoon of his REAL LIFE persona

[kingdom warrior]

^^^^^^ Plus George's Kent was a believable hard nosed News reporter not a bumbling baffoon....George's Superman was endearing because he would turn to the audience and wink to us breaking the third wall .....they didn't know he was Superman but we as kids did.

[Mikey]

On the DVD's Noel Neil was asked why she couldn't tell Superman was actually Clark Kent.

She said she always knew, because didn't wanna lose her job if she said anything :smiley1:

[shyndman]

Loved that show as a kid. Superman was cool, and Noel Neil was kind of a hottie. Did you ever notice that the actor that played Perry White was always staring down at his desk? Apparently the actor had trouble remembering his lines so they were written down for him and were on his desk. Kind of a primitive teleprompter I suppose!

[toys2cool]

Christopher Reeves was my Superman,but George was great. I still think he was murdered :embarassed:

[Mikey]

I think Phyllis Coates was sexier then Noel, but I wouldn't want to be around her very long because she's just plain annoying and would give anyone a headache after a short time.

Noel was a nice person and not annoying so that makes her best Lois just for that :)

[huedell]

There has been some debate about what modern kids can handle as far as
George Reeves' Superman being an "oldie' and not palatable for a
modern audience due FX and many other aspects of style.

I am the first one to point out the differences in culture over a 50 year span
and how it can lack...however, this is a tribute thread at it's heart, and
I want to say one thing...

Like many of you, I was bred on George's Superman. I dunno what I'd think
of it in 2009 (I haven't watched it in years!), but as a 5-6-7 year old
living in the mid to late 70s, I adored it and couldn't wait for the next one!

One of my favorite things about the recent SUPERMAN RETURNS movie
was the tribute paid to that show by casting one of the Lois' and Jimmy
as the widow Lex bilked and the bartender who I believe was supposed to
be "Bibbo" from the more modern comics.

The intro for George's show is legendary too.

[huedell]

I've mentioned this before, but i'll recap.

What I liked about George Reeves's Superman was his Clark Kent and Kal El was one and the same .. which it should be ... George's "secret identity" was Superman.

Christopher Reeve was the opposite .. which isn't really how it should be.

Kal was raised on Earth and grew up to be Kal/Clark Kent ... not Superman.

That's why George's Kent was far better and more realistic then Chris's Kent.

Chris made a a baffoon of his REAL LIFE persona

Just some food for thought...if we're talking which approach is more "realistic"
---making a buffoon out of Clark seems to be the more realistic way of living
with "being Superman"...especially when some hair manuevers and a pair
of glasses are your only defense to being found out.

What better way to hide that you're Superman than playing a mirror
opposite of him when you're in your secret identity mode?

Clark the buffoon, Superman? :terror: No way! :grin:

[kingdom warrior]

Here you go Hue

YouTube - Adventures Of Superman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8YKp9TktaE&feature=related)

[huedell]

Here you go Hue

YouTube - Adventures Of Superman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8YKp9TktaE&feature=related)

That's absolutely awesome. I just watched the intro :grin:
I bookmarked it. And when i get a chance, I'll rip it.
(I have a program for that).
It'd be cool to have a few of these to stir up some childhood nostalgia. :yes:
Thanks KW :cool_y::heart:

[kingdom warrior]

you got it! :grin:

[huedell]

you got it! :grin:

You "got" me alright :cool_y: ...
I went back to watching it out of curiosity
and now I feel compelled to watch the WHOLE thing. :terror:
I am sincerely enjoying it. :yes:
Well....BACK to ......SUPERMAN :grin:

EDITED TO ADD: It just ended....I didn't know there were
episodes that lasted a mere NINE minutes....pretty interesting.

I really enjoyed...sure it's dated, but it was enjoyable to watch in that it was
so dated, it was almost "campy" in an unintentional, but fun way...
and, of course it DOES bring up all kinds of nostalgia.

Thanks again KW.

[Mikey]

When the Adventures of Superman were first made, their total budget was $15,000 per episode .... That includes the casts salaries -- which was about $200.00 apiece per lead actor... George got a little more.

[vulcan2074]

I Loved him as Superman. RIP George
Sammy

[kingdom warrior]

When the Adventures of Superman were first made, their total budget was $15,000 per episode .... That includes the casts salaries -- which was about $200.00 apiece per lead actor... George got a little more.

He also shared co-Billing with Phyllis Coates after she left the series Reeves got top billing and more pay. Only problem TAOS had an erratic film schedule where months would pass before new episodes were be filmed....That's why the cast would make appearances to supplement their income. Although Reeves was taken care of by his lover Toni Mannix.

[kingdom warrior]

You "got" me alright :cool_y: ...
I went back to watching it out of curiosity
and now I feel compelled to watch the WHOLE thing. :terror:
I am sincerely enjoying it. :yes:
Well....BACK to ......SUPERMAN :grin:

EDITED TO ADD: It just ended....I didn't know there were
episodes that lasted a mere NINE minutes....pretty interesting.

I really enjoyed...sure it's dated, but it was enjoyable to watch in that it was
so dated, it was almost "campy" in an unintentional, but fun way...
and, of course it DOES bring up all kinds of nostalgia.

Thanks again KW.
I think the guy who posted those episodes edited them down and took out some bits none the less it's still great and that episode in particular shows off how really good the first season of Superman was.

Kellogs the sponsor later asked that the shows be toned down a bit to be more kid friendly.....thank goodness that somebody had the foresight to shoot from the third season on in color......which is why it did play so many years later on Tv while others shows didn't

[goldenryan]

For people interested in the topic, I'd recommend the film HOLLYWOODLAND.

yep, that's a good one.

[Hector]

Christopher Reeve was a fair forgery but lacked George's heart as Supes.



Couldn't disagree with you more.

It was Chris who gave Supes heart...he embraced it.

George HATED being Superman.

You are outta your mind...but then again...you have always been a little bit crazy, Mike...

:grin:

[Hector]

George Reeves...the Superman who would laugh at bullets...but would duck when the bad guys threw their guns at him after running out of bullets, lol...

:smiley1: :smiley1: :smiley1:

[Hector]

Why are we saying RIP for???

The man died 50 years ago for Christ's sake...

:smiley1:

[Mikey]

It was Chris who gave Supes heart...he embraced it.

I really don't have anything bad to say about Christopher Reeve's portrayal of Superman (other then him being the worst Clark Kent ever)

I still think George gave it more heart.

George was a kid's Superman while Chris appealed to teens and especially comic book lovers.

[Hector]

I really don't have anything bad to say about Christopher Reeve's portrayal of Superman

"Christopher Reeve was a [I]fair forgery but lacked George's heart as Supes"

What?

:smiley1:

[kingdom warrior]

George Reeves...the Superman who would laugh at bullets...but would duck when the bad guys threw their guns at him after running out of bullets, lol...

:smiley1: :smiley1: :smiley1:

Just for the record it was the stuntman that ducked not George Reeves...........:grin::smiley1:

[mego73]

I love both George and Chris. T1K has a good point about George's Clark being a better Clark (and more like the comic book, I don't think Clark was buffoonish in the comics).

[Mikey]

It almost seems whoever wrote the Christopher Reeve Superman character .. was that Mario Puzo ? ... didn't know anything about Superman and based Clark on the generic description "mild mannered reporter" --- which in the 70's would sound geekish or nerdish.

[huedell]

It almost seems whoever wrote the Christopher Reeve Superman character .. was that Mario Puzo ? ... didn't know anything about Superman and based Clark on the generic description "mild mannered reporter" --- which in the 70's would sound geekish or nerdish.

????

Mike---just FYI...I'm not a huge "comicbook type"
BUT
I did have a book that chronicled Supes from the 30s to the 70s
by way of stories from all 5 decades...and Clark had been played as a
"wimpy/coward" type long before the 70s. :yes:

[Mikey]

????

Mike---just FYI...I'm not a huge "comicbook type"
BUT
I did have a book that chronicled Supes from the 30s to the 70s
by way of stories from all 5 decades...and Clark had been played as a
"wimpy/coward" type long before the 70s. :yes:

Here's an indepth wiki article on it ...

The way I understand this, the "wimpy/coward" Kent started with Christopher Reeve ... but might have roots in the 40's radio show

Clark Kent - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_kent)

m

[Earth 2 Chris]

Actually, the nerdish Clark harkens back to the original interpretation of Superman. In Action #1 he gets humiliated by some thugs, and Lois gets disgusted and runs out on him. This was how Kirk Alyn was told to portray Clark, and Reeve was as well. It works best in convincing the audience Superman could pull off the secret ID. I think if the Superman films had also shown Clark actually being a good report at some point, we wouldn't be having this debate right now. George's interpretation worked best for the show, since he had to carry most of it as Clark (he only showed up as Supes maybe 10 minutes every episode). So the strong, crusading reporter angle worked there in a weekly/daily format. Heck, Clark was as hated by criminals as Supes. You almost wondered why he even bothered keeping the secret.

Chris

[goldenryan]

It was Chris who gave Supes heart...he embraced it.

I really don't have anything bad to say about Christopher Reeve's portrayal of Superman (other then him being the worst Clark Kent ever)


worst kent ever? give alittle credit to brandon what's his name.:smiley1:

[Mikey]

My fav portrayal of Clark Kent was .....

1. George Reeves ... His Clark was just plain COOL.
2. Dean Caine ... love Lois and Clark or hate it, you have to admit Caine did a good job as Clark.
3. Kirk Alyn ... Kirk was on the edge of over-the-top, but his Kent was still better then Christopher Reeves version.

BTW,
I never seen Smallville, so I don't include it in my list

[kingdom warrior]

My fav portrayal of Clark Kent was .....

1. George Reeves ... His Clark was just plain COOL.
2. Dean Caine ... love Lois and Clark or hate it, you have to admit Caine did a good job as Clark.
3. Kirk Alyn ... Kirk was on the edge of over-the-top, but his Kent was still better then Christopher Reeves version.

BTW,
I never seen Smallville, so I don't include it in my list

Agreed, Dean Caine was a likeable Clark...but a horrendous Superman
Kirk Alyn Clark is really Good and agree way better than Chris Reeve's version which annoys me now.....
Welling's Clark is good but a bit whiney..... just the show went off it's mark and lost me.

Routh sadly was just doing what Singer told him to do... imitate Chris Reeve.