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.

[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

[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