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Broadway’s Superman Bob Holiday Passes Away

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  • libby 1957dog
    Persistent Member
    • Sep 3, 2009
    • 1356

    Broadway’s Superman Bob Holiday Passes Away

    Broadway’s Superman Bob Holiday Passes Away

    November 12, 1932 – January 27, 2017
    so sad to lose another super guy ,would have loved to see him mix it up with adam and burt as a guest star on the batman show back then ,and to me anyway possibly the best live action rendering of the classic super suit ,i could see bobs superman fitting right in on batman or even flying past the window in a madmen episode

    Below is the wonderful tribute written by Brian McKernan for SupermanBobHoliday.com…

    Mr. Holiday had been a successful home builder in Lake Wallenpaupack PA since the late 1970’s, although his first love was performing in front of live audiences, a vocation he discovered at the age of five after earning a lollipop for singing “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” at a Catskill resort talent show. A 20-year career followed as a nightclub entertainer and actor in TV commercials, Broadway shows, and touring companies.

    The future Superman was a soloist in the George Washington High School glee club and performed on “The Ted Mack Amateur Hour” after graduation. Inspired by his heroes Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Mr. Holiday performed as a singer and comedian in Manhattan restaurants, joining the Army in 1953, where he polished his craft at NCO clubs and as a DJ on Armed Forces Radio in Germany. He resumed his nightclub career after military service, performing in a variety of cities opposite such stars as Jayne Mansfield and Mamie Van Doren. A 1956 MC stint at the Colony Club, in Dallas, had Mr. Holiday working for owner Jack Ruby, later to become infamous as the killer of Lee Harvey Oswald, John F. Kennedy’s assassin.

    Mr. Holiday’s first major Broadway role was in Fiorello!, the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning 1959 musical by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick directed by George Abbott. Playing the part of Neil, young law clerk opposite actor Tom Bosley’s portrayal of firebrand New York City mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, the show ran for 795 performances and provided Mr. Holiday with his introduction to future Superman producer Harold Prince. Road shows of “Camelot” and “Lady in the Dark” followed, and on November 17, 1965 The New York Times reported that the 33-year-old Mr. Holiday bested 51 competitors auditioning to win the title role in Mr. Prince’s pop art-era musical comedy “It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman.” Mr. Holiday’s 6 foot, 4 inch, 190 pound frame, square-jawed good looks, and acting and singing abilities made him the perfect candidate to portray the comic’s Man of Steel on the Broadway stage. The show opened at the Alvin (now Neil Simon) Theatre on March 29, 1966. Of Mr. Holiday’s performance, reviewer Whitney Bolton of The New York Morning Telegram said, “[T]he embodiment of Superman makes the show come alive and sparkle. His portrait of a ponderous human miracle, in love with good deeds and unabashed virtue, is delightful.”

    “I relished [the] role,” Mr. Holiday said of Superman years later, explaining that he’d been a comic book fan as a youngster. He also felt a responsibility to uphold the character’s reputation, making time to meet with young autograph-seekers backstage after every matinee performance. “I sign a big red S, tell them to drink their milk, and be good,” he stated. “I get a big kick out of it.”

    Although positive reviews of “It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman” were abundant, with New York Times critic Stanley Kauffman calling it “Easily the best musical so far this season,” the show closed on July 17 after 129 performances. Librettist Robert Benton, who wrote the show’s book with David Newman, attributed its short run to “capelash” caused by the immense popularity of the “Batman” TV series, which had premiered just weeks earlier. Matinee performances were packed with youngsters, but evening attendance steadily dwindled as adults assumed the show was geared to kids. Mr. Holiday reprised the role during the Summer of 1967 in Kansas City and St. Louis in open-air performances before audiences estimated in excess of 10,000.

    Mr. Holiday continued his theatrical career for several more years, appearing in the Los Angeles company of Promises Promises and narrowly missing out on being cast as the father on The Brady Bunch TV series. In 2003 he took a break from his homebuilding projects in the Pocono Mountains to appear onstage at the annual Superman Celebration in Metropolis IL, delighting fans and being filmed for a documentary titled Holiday in Metropolis.

    Noting that fellow Superman Christopher Reeve described himself as a “temporary custodian” of the character in his 1998 autobiography Still Me, Mr. Holiday added, “I was very proud to ‘take care’ of Superman in the 1960’s. Playing the part was great fun, and I loved it. I still hear from fans today, and it’s wonderful. Over and over, someone will find me, get in touch, and let me know how much they loved the show (and even me personally). You can’t imagine how much that means to me 40 years later.”

    Mr. Holiday’s daughter Kelly and son-in-law Joe were at his side upon his passing.

    Our condolences to his family and friends.
    Last edited by libby 1957dog; Jan 28, '17, 5:15 AM.
  • PNGwynne
    Master of Fowl Play
    • Jun 5, 2008
    • 19949

    #2
    I'm quite a fan of this show, it deserves a revival. Bob had the perfect voice for Superman--"My Job Is Doing Good." RIP Mr. Holiday.

    A cameo of him on Batman '66 would've been delightful.
    Last edited by PNGwynne; Jan 28, '17, 9:20 AM.
    WANTED: Dick Grayson SI trousers; gray AJ Mustang horse; vintage RC Batman (Bruce Wayne) head; minty Wolfman tights; mint Black Knight sword; minty Launcelot boots; Lion Rock (pale) Dracula & Mummy heads; Lion Rock Franky squared boots; Wayne Foundation blue furniture; Flash Gordon/Ming (10") unbroken holsters; CHiPs gloved arms; POTA T2 tan body; CTVT/vintage Friar Tuck robes, BBP TZ Burgess Meredith glasses.

    Comment

    • emeraldknight47
      Talkative Member
      • Jun 20, 2011
      • 5212

      #3
      Yet more sad news. I think I'm going to just go live on a deserted island with no internet, radio or TV for about six years and see if the world straightens out any. Never have had a chance to see Mr. Holiday's take on Superman, but I've heard of it from friends of mine who have and who loved it. RIP, sir, sleep the good sleep. Condolences to his family and friends.
      sigpic Oh then, what's this? Big flashy lighty thing, that's what brought me here! Big flashy lighty things have got me written all over them. Not actually. But give me time. And a crayon.

      Comment

      • libby 1957dog
        Persistent Member
        • Sep 3, 2009
        • 1356

        #4
        not sure if you guys have seen this
        its the film they showed during the musical i believe, to introduce superman and his world to the audience not clued up on the world of superman


        a great bit of nostalgia right there
        and one of the few bits of bobs superman on film
        i think there was a aqua velvet commercial filmed in color and a i
        "ive got a secret "tv show appearance and that was it
        made a great 60s superman for sure

        Comment

        • Earth 2 Chris
          Verbose Member
          • Mar 7, 2004
          • 32971

          #5
          ^Thanks so much for posting that, I had never seen it! I really only know Bob Holiday from Superman History books. I really wish they had done a TV version during the height of the show (and not that awful 70s version I've seen parts of).

          It would have been great to have Holiday stop by the Batman TV show, even in a Bat-climb cameo. What could have been....

          RIP.

          Chris
          sigpic

          Comment

          • PNGwynne
            Master of Fowl Play
            • Jun 5, 2008
            • 19949

            #6
            ^ I agree. But I know you like David Wayne and he's hilarious as Dr.Sedgwick in the tepid TV version of the musical.
            WANTED: Dick Grayson SI trousers; gray AJ Mustang horse; vintage RC Batman (Bruce Wayne) head; minty Wolfman tights; mint Black Knight sword; minty Launcelot boots; Lion Rock (pale) Dracula & Mummy heads; Lion Rock Franky squared boots; Wayne Foundation blue furniture; Flash Gordon/Ming (10") unbroken holsters; CHiPs gloved arms; POTA T2 tan body; CTVT/vintage Friar Tuck robes, BBP TZ Burgess Meredith glasses.

            Comment

            • libby 1957dog
              Persistent Member
              • Sep 3, 2009
              • 1356

              #7
              Originally posted by Earth 2 Chris
              ^Thanks so much for posting that, I had never seen it! I really only know Bob Holiday from Superman History books. I really wish they had done a TV version during the height of the show (and not that awful 70s version I've seen parts of).

              It would have been great to have Holiday stop by the Batman TV show, even in a Bat-climb cameo. What could have been....

              RIP.

              Chris
              here you go chris ,tracked down the tv advert,only color footage apparently


              Unseen for 43 years, this Aqua Velva commercial was one of the many personal appearances Superman (otherwise known as Bob Holiday) was asked to make. Other appearances included the Johnny Carson show, Macy's International Fashion Show, the "I've Got A Secret" game show, and a print ad for UniRoyal carpet. Bob kept up a super schedule during 1966, making all these appearance on top of the hectic schedule for "It's a Bird It's a Plane It's Superman", which included four matinees and five evening performances each week.

              The producers of this ad not only showcased Bob Holiday's superb embodiment of Superman, they captured a multitude of tiny details important to Superman lore. See how many you can find.

              more at bobs website Unseen for 43 years, this Aqua Velva commercial was one of the many personal appearances Superman (otherwise known as Bob Holiday) was asked to make. Other appearances included the Johnny Carson show, Macy's International Fashion Show, the "I've Got A Secret" game show, and a print ad for UniRoyal carpet. Bob kept up a super schedule during 1966, making all these appearance on top of the hectic schedule for "It's a Bird It's a Plane It's Superman", which included four matinees and five evening performances each week.

              The producers of this ad not only showcased Bob Holiday's superb embodiment of Superman, they captured a multitude of tiny details important to Superman lore. See how many you can find.


              more at bobs website http://www.supermanbobholiday.com/BobHome.htm

              Comment

              • Hector
                el Hombre de Acero
                • May 19, 2003
                • 31852

                #8
                Awesome commercial!

                To be brutally honest, I didn't follow his career much, as I'm not a "musical theater" guy...but do appreciate his contribution to the Man of Steel lore...and for that...thank you very much, Mr Holiday, and yes, you belong with everyone else who played Superman in both movies and television.

                RIP
                sigpic

                Comment

                • PNGwynne
                  Master of Fowl Play
                  • Jun 5, 2008
                  • 19949

                  #9
                  Some of the songs are great Hec, in content and style. There a little satire, too, but the show is actually a clever pop-art take on classic silver-age comics. All the good Superman relationships are there--plus some new twists, too.
                  WANTED: Dick Grayson SI trousers; gray AJ Mustang horse; vintage RC Batman (Bruce Wayne) head; minty Wolfman tights; mint Black Knight sword; minty Launcelot boots; Lion Rock (pale) Dracula & Mummy heads; Lion Rock Franky squared boots; Wayne Foundation blue furniture; Flash Gordon/Ming (10") unbroken holsters; CHiPs gloved arms; POTA T2 tan body; CTVT/vintage Friar Tuck robes, BBP TZ Burgess Meredith glasses.

                  Comment

                  • Earth 2 Chris
                    Verbose Member
                    • Mar 7, 2004
                    • 32971

                    #10
                    That was awesome! Aqua Velva had some great marketing people at that time. They also got Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels to reprise their Lone Ranger and Tonto roles!



                    Chris
                    sigpic

                    Comment

                    • rykerw1701
                      Persistent Member
                      • Aug 27, 2007
                      • 1033

                      #11
                      That's a bummer. I've listed to the soundtrack of that show many times. I was lucky enough to catch the encore version of the show in NYC a few years ago. Here's some info on Bob Holiday's visit to the set of that show. He looked really good.


                      Joining Edward Watts (Superman) in the New York City Center Encores! production of It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman is Jenny Powers as Lois Lane and David Pittu as the evil Dr. Sedgwick, along with Alli Mauzey, Adam Monley, James Saito and Will Swenson. Superman plays at City Center for seven performances through today, March 24, and is directed by John Rando with choreography by Joshua Bergasse and music direction by Rob Berman. Bob Holiday, the original Broadway Superman visited today's matinee, and BroadwayWorld brings you photos of him at the performance below!

                      Comment

                      • Brue
                        User without title
                        • Sep 29, 2005
                        • 4246

                        #12
                        Sorry to hear he is gone. I have seen clips of his performances and thought it was a cool part of Superman lore. The clip above's music intro seems to be an inspiration for Williams theme.

                        Comment

                        • PNGwynne
                          Master of Fowl Play
                          • Jun 5, 2008
                          • 19949

                          #13
                          Egad I'm beyond jealous that you had a chance to see the Encore! production.

                          Originally posted by rykerw1701
                          That's a bummer. I've listed to the soundtrack of that show many times. I was lucky enough to catch the encore version of the show in NYC a few years ago. Here's some info on Bob Holiday's visit to the set of that show. He looked really good.


                          http://www.broadwayworld.com/article...ERMAN-20130324
                          WANTED: Dick Grayson SI trousers; gray AJ Mustang horse; vintage RC Batman (Bruce Wayne) head; minty Wolfman tights; mint Black Knight sword; minty Launcelot boots; Lion Rock (pale) Dracula & Mummy heads; Lion Rock Franky squared boots; Wayne Foundation blue furniture; Flash Gordon/Ming (10") unbroken holsters; CHiPs gloved arms; POTA T2 tan body; CTVT/vintage Friar Tuck robes, BBP TZ Burgess Meredith glasses.

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