There's a story out there about George Reeves playing Superman at a state fair. A little boy brought a pistol with him to see if bullets would bounce off Superman's chest. Reeves, cool as a cucumber, stays in character and tells the boy to hand him the gun......because he feared the bullets recocheting and striking other people. Truly a great actor.
@@deadstrobeOh my god, I didn’t know this, MacLachlan would have been perfect. Ben Affleck did ok, although he wasn’t able to capture the presence George had when he put on the cape and costume.
George Reeves had a unique genuineness in his portrayal of Clark Kent and his alter ego "Superman" beloved super hero! I celebrate his life not his death! Rest forever in inner peace and happiness!
Thing for me George Reeves did so well as Clark Kent is show what mild-mannered really is. It isn't nerdy or incompetent. It just means someone who isn't prone to big displays of emotion. You can see his Clark being a good reporter
The characterizations by several of the other Superman actors have always annoyed me. Christopher Reeve is the worst, I believe, as he plays Clark as a wimp, klutz, and almost an idiot. A super human from another planet would hide in plain sight without acting like a bumbling idiot, which would actually draw attention to himself. He would be just like George Reeves' version, confident, strong, in command, and always knowing that at any time, he was never in danger. The bumbler the others played would have most likely never have gotten the job Clark had. No one would hire him. The first time Clark is in the office shows it all. George Reeves walks along the window ledge and asks Perry for the job. No experience, no references, but he still wants the job, goes and gets the story, and shows Perry he can do it. Christopher Reeve has the job already, which is good, because he stumbles, is annoying, acts like a Forrest Gump before FG was popular, and frankly does not exude any confidence of being able to do any job, let alone this important one. Most dislike Dean Cain, but his depiction of Clark as about the same. In one episode Lois said something about Superman, and Clark reminded her that Clark Kent was who he was and Superman is what he did. There were no two people in one body or split personalities.
It is a characterization thing. The dichotomy between Clark and Superman and "who is the real person" is a question most modern interpretations have played with. The Classic media like Fleisher and George Reeves didn't bother with that. Christopher Reeve seems to think "Clark" is a disguise and "Superman" is the real person. That has largely reversed since the 90s. Dean Cain and his successors and the Animated forms have seen Clark as the "real person" and "Superman" as a character he plays on TV. Notice the hair product.
George was the perfect Clark Kent. At times he was mild-mannered, but other times he could be direct or forceful. A good example of this was in “The Big Freeze”, when Clark pushes Dr. Watts into telling him how to cure Superman.
One word - Outstanding!!! George was the best Superman. Born in 1950, that June day in 1959 was the saddest of my childhood. Nothing was the same after that. There was an empty place in my heart that took a long time to disappear. As an adult I attempted to write an article about seasons 7 and 8, and after getting a lead that Kellog's had many of the written scripts, I thought I had found the "Holy Grail." Kellog's told me they didn't have them and had no record of ever having them. I know they must exist somewhere, but have not been able to track them down. Here is a little-known fact. In 1956, NBC signed Tony Bennett to do a weekly summer replacement show. His first guest was George Reeves who sang and played the guitar. There is no film of that show. NBC said it was probably destroyed since there was little room for storage in their New York studios. They did confirm George was on the show. I then attempted to contact Tony Bennett (about 10 years ago), but his son said his father did not recall if George was on the show or not.
Being a baby boomer I spent my Saturday mornings with westerns, Sky King & of course Superman. I loved all the characters but George was & still is special to me. They all have a spot in my heart now approaching mid ‘70’s. Thank you Steve.
Used to watch reruns of this show back in the 60s, it was on every afternoon when I came home from school. There were a few times the TV wasn't working, or I wasn't allowed to watch it, I would listen to it on a radio that picked up TV channels. Brings back a lot of memories
I was born in 1957. This was, for a long time, my definitive Superman. I became aware, later on, of the sad circumstances of his life. It's nice to see, even after all this time, some acknowledgement of his part in the whole 'superhero' cannon.
I was born in 1954...and I remember Adventures of Superman on Saturdays when I was around 4 years old. My first Superman comic book was issue 133(November 1959)-The first issue that Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel wrote for in years.
George Reeves' Superman was not only great TV for us when we were kids, he was such a great role model. Always on the side of doing what is right and being truthful and showing us how that always works out for the best. I don't see any such role models for children in all the rubbish they watch these days.
I loved watching these in the early 60's then at that time my oldest sister told me Superman wasn't real! I was so mad a her and to this day I tell her she ruined it for me, she is now 72 years old.
What an extraordinary documentary about George Reeves, the true Superman. Thank you so much for bringing TAOS back to me at my older age. I was only 4 years old when George died & my parents in shock when they read the NY daily news of his passing. Very sad day & I didn't fully understand his death until I was 7 years old. Love the fact that TAOS lives on. Chris Reeve played an amazing Superman & Clark Kent las close to comic book as possible & Superman 1 B. Superman was my hero, idol growing up & could not wait to watch Superman after school. I still can't believe he took his own life & always will suspect potential foul play. I miss both George & Christopher so much. It aches me they both could not fulfill their golden years in peace & see how much they were loved. RIP
Well done Steve! I grew up watching George Reeves playing Superman! He was the best! I would run around the house with a towel for a cape and jump off the furniture until my mom would yell at me to stop before I hurt myself. I wouldn't do that again until the next day then get into trouble again!
For me, this is one of your best videos ever. George Reeves was my first Superman. Until Christopher Reeve, George Was THE Superman. As I saw Superman the Motion Picture at age 8 and still believed that a man could fly, Christopher was another Great Superman. But neither detracted from the other. I'm 54. The Adventures of Superman was my favorite show to watch from age 3 well through my teens. I didn't stop watching it because any of the gold had rubbed away, but merely adult life had it's requirements. Your analysis and examination of George Reeves as Superman is perfect. There is nothing I can say that could add to all you said, other than Thank you for this and I wholly agree. Superman's actual purpose you summed up perfectly at the end. Superman's greatest powers are Compassion, Honesty, Goodness, Kindness and all of the qualities of all the best mentors which you bring up are true. To give you an idea how deep this hits me, I was crying at the end of you video, as what you said was heartfelt and from within. Both what that Superman taught us and the sadness of the end of Reeves life. And in me is that same set of resonant values. And As I finish writing this here, I shed these tears again. For an Ideal. For a Direction. For a Hope... That we can still see that example and have the ideals of to achieve the best of them for each other.
Reeves was my first experience of suicide as a child. I discussed it frequently with my father, a rational, atheist engineer. I never could wrap my head around it. Nobody talked about Reeves publicly after he died. He just disappeared. That scared me worse than his actual death. It's like our country, our culture, was so ashamed of him, like his personal crisis betrayed us. I've seen every episode, multiple times. Because, of course, despite the stigma, he was still bank in reruns. I could not understand how this grinning, kind, strong, quiet guy could be shunned and erased like that. That's more terrifying to a kid than a bullet wound to the head. American culture did Reeves dirty. That's the state of mental health in this red, white and blue hellscape. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 💲💯😢💗💪🏾
That may be why so many people believe he was murdered, because suicide was even more of a stigmatic thing than it is now. And it's still seen as "a coward's way out" and whatever else. While both situations are bad, murder seemed more "acceptable" at that time than suicide.
@divinelightshine I have to agree. He was excited about the new Superman season, had a fiance, left no suicide note, and gave no sign of depression. It was either murder or a real stupid accident after drinking too much.
George Reeves was my first Superman. I remember watching reruns as a little kid (and as a kid, I knew how crazy the storylines were...but they were fun). I remember asking my father how come George Reeves wasn't still on TV and he told me that he had died before I was born. And that really made me sad. Christopher Reeve was the first big screen Superman I saw and I loved the movie. But George Reeves will always hold that little spot in my heart as my first Superman.
George Reeves was the Superman I grew up with. That was my favorite TV show as a child by far. To this day I still get goosebumps when I hear the opening music and monologue from the show. I feel thrilled when I hear it, like something special and exciting is about to happen. I LOVED the show!!! The George Reeves Superman helped to inspire and inform my sense of morality. For me, he will always be the best Superman.
I am a true die hard GEORGE REEVES - SUPERMAN- fan , collector, owning all the Adventures of Superman DVD's plus growing up in the 1950's I've watched every episode at least 10 times and my favorite, " PANIC IN THE SKY" about 50 times, I was deeply sadden when George Reeves died as at the time( I was 6) I really thought he was SUPERMAN!! Now I wish WB would remaster The Adventures of Superman to BLU RAY with more special features , even with commentaries by Mr. JIM NOLT!! yesss love George Reeves, n love The Adventures of Superman!! R.I.P. George Reeves!!!
Thank showing everyone from our generation our first and best superman George Reeves was. He truly was the true essence of how superman really is. Thank you for that . I to this day still miss George Reeves superman and the excellent job he did. God Bless you Steve. From Edwin.
What a fantastic presentation. I was aware of most of the facts presented as a lifelong fan of George Reeves' portrayal of Superman, but this was extremely well done and entertaining. Thank you. Certainly no disrespect to the other actors but, as it was with Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels as the best Lone Ranger and Tonto, George Reeves and Superman are one and the same in my book. George Reeves was something special!
Great job Steve! Thank you! George Reeves' Superman was my hero and my favorite show as a child and my wife and I still watch the Adventures of Superman to this day when it's on.
Steve Shives videos are always interesting and informative and enjoyable to watch. Keep up the good work Steve Shives and I'll "we'll" keep watching your videos here on You Tube.
While I didn't watch much of George's portrayal of Superman, from what I've seen he did a good job with Superman for his time, and I definitely enjoyed his cameo in the "I love Lucy" series.
An excellent journalistic presentation that leaves some of us with teary eyes for sure. There really was something very special about our true and beautiful, real Superman...
I'm already having a tough week, and then you go and make me cry, Steve. Being born in the mid-70s, The Adventures of Superman were on in syndication in the afternoons, along with Star Trek and Batman. Those three shows were a huge part of my childhood, but you succinctly explain just what made Reeves' portrayal so wonderful. Sure, my favorite superhero was Batman, and Kirk, Spock and McCoy helped round out my moral code, but I looked up to his Superman the same way I looked up to my father. They were strong men who could do anything in my eyes, but they were both men who I knew I could feel safe with. They were protectors, and they were always there with an encouraging word or would be there to catch you when you fell. Sure, I've truly enjoyed other actors in the role, but Reeves was my first Superman. Thanks for this one, Steve.
This was my show. As a boy, living in San Francisco, I was alone with my older sister (she was probably ten), when an earthquake hit. Everyone in the apartment building rushed outside. I refused because I was watching Superman.
Random question I ask to everyone when they have a comment like this. You were 7 in 1958, how did you see the decades as they went by? I'm born 1980, so I've seen the leftovers of late 60's & 70's but really came into my character in the 90's and early 2000's What where the 70's, 80's & 90's for you?
I grew up with George Reeves Superman as my hero. When we first got TV I would be glued to it to watch the episodes every week day. While in my primary school years I was stung by an insect that would put me in hospital on the critically ill list. Every afternoon the nurses would put the Adventures of Superman on for me to watch in the ward. I purchased the DVDs a few years back and every now and then put a disc in and watch a few episodes. Still my hero.
I wonder who George Reeves' Superman could've been, the person he could've turned to for advice or support...given his end it seems like maybe he didn't have that person in his life, despite being that person for so many others. :(
Again another fantastic video essay, I need to be honest here, when you do one of these, you almost bring a tear to my eye. Growing up in Australia during the 70's this was the superman that i first saw (yeah i know in many ways Australian tv was way behind the times back then), the way you described the series sent me back to then time, damn good work
Fellow Aussie here, but maybe a decade older LOL CBN8 (Orange) showed: Superman - George Reeves defined Superman to this Aussie kid The Lone Ranger - Clayton Moore defined him Hopalong Cassidy - William Boyd ABC Channel One: Robin Hood AND William Tell - Richard Greene was both. Memories of hot summers and cold winters and being home to sit in front of the 24 inch B&W HMV TV, whilst mum cooked tea.
This was the superman of my childhood. Loved him in I Love Lucy with the name credit as Superman. I have a polaroid photo in storage of him at a fair with Kryptonite Man who only appeared with him at live appearances. Your parting words really hit hard and true. Thank you
When I was a little boy, I remember running home from school to watch George Reeves' Superman which aired as part of a local children's TV show. He will always be my Superman.
I was born in 1958 . For me, the t.v. show was everything. Almost every Halloween that I can remember, I was Superman. Even as an adult , I wore the costume. When I was older and started watching shows about the mystery of his death, it made me mad as hell. Poor George. R.I.P. Man of Steel.
I like George Reeves I grew up in the 60 s watching Superman on television. But Let's get something clear and straight. The Best Superman Ever I Mean Ever Is The One And Only Mr. CHRISTOPHER REEVES. May God Bless Him . In This And Or Any Lifetime. Christopher Reeves Is Was Always Will Be The Best Superman
As a kid, I had two things to look forward to after school. Back to back. Sitting on the floor in front of the B&W TV, I would watch the Adventures of Superman followed by the first Japanese anime to be broadcast in the US, Astroboy. What a line-up. I am 68 and those were the days.
As someone who has spent almost my entire life loving George Reeves and working to keep his memory alive, I found your video to be exceptionally good, Steve. I especially like your closing remarks. This Saturday, July 29, 2023, almost 90 fans will gather in Los Angeles to shine a light once more on George Reeves, the People's Friend, and to remember his legacy. In my opinion too, George Reeves was indeed the best Superman.
This was an awesome tribute!!!Steve Shives, Thank you! The older I get, the more i think that Reeve's Superman offers a subtle and nuanced take on the character, unknown since.
A fine, touching tribute. I can't help thinking that if more and better mental health resources had been available, he might have lived to a ripe old age.
I am 70 and I have always measured the Superman actors with George Reeves. He was superman. All these others that have played him I have had to force myself to follow the movie and their characters. Thanks for this article and the extensive coverage you studied and reported on this character, this actor.
Very well done. I attended a lecture by Noel Neill in the early 1970s. Surprisingly, only about 20 people showed up. I asked Neill a question. If I could have predicted how she would respond, I would have thought of something else to ask her. That would have been easy. Superman was my favorite show as a kid. The question concerned the semi-controversy over George's death (given his mob connections). She cried.
@@danielland3767 There was a strong possibility George Reeves dealed with loan sharks from The Mafia. And the possibility he was murdered rather than comitted suicide and it was covered up quite well...
I grew up watching George Reeves "Superman". Loved every episode! The current remake, Superman & Lois, is more detailed, entertaining and delves into life's experiences in a marvelous way. Played by Tyler Hoechlin and Bitsie Tulloch who give a wonderful performance. 🙂
That was a great commentary on your part. It truly captured both the actor, Geroge Reeves, playing the role of Superman, while at the same time, describing the Superman, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olson and Perry White's characters and interactions and their incredible adventures together. I was very young, about 5 years of age, when I started watching Superman in the early 1960's, obviously as re-runs. I was unaware of the "drama" until I got older. Everything you said about the Superman role was spot on.....that is EXACTLY what came across the television.
I've never watched him. In fact I'm not a Superman fan at all and didn't know of George Reeves's existence. However, the love and passion you convey on this video is so magical that I can feel he needs this tribute and needs to be remembered. Thank you, Steve ❤
When I worked on SUPERMAN (the Donner version) I met Noel Neil who played Lois lane in the original TV series. She and Kirk Alyn played the parents of Lois in the Smallville train cameo. She told me she was convinced that George R was murdered - that in no way was he suicidal. She played the original Lois with Kirk Alyn, too!
A Nice tribute to George Reeves as Superman.Thank you. I still watch the reruns every chance I get. When your a little boy growing up in the fifties, He was your Hero❤
My favourite thing about GR was that he's not the kind of bulked-up 80's Muscle Man we get these days. He wasn't going to win Mr. Universe. You'd probably see two dozen guys like him at the beach.
George's take-offs are still the best out of all the Supermen. That fucker would bound out of those windows. And he could bust through a wall like no other.
Reeves' sheer energy as Superman is honestly something to see today, within historical context and many subsequent performances that offer comparison. He's honestly magnetic in screen presence! He really does seem to have understood how an indestructible man would carry himself. Calm and unflinching in the face of gunfire slamming right into him. Exploding into decisive action at the right moments, with a bounding gait that really gives a sense of superhuman stamina.
The Reeves story is very similar to Leonard Nimoy’s story in how they struggled, landed on an iconic character, tried to break from that character, and finally embracing the character for what it is. Nimoy was lucky to live in a time when there are support systems available to help with this process.
My friend Gary Grossman’s book Superman Serial to Cereal is one of the best references for all things George Reeves trivia. I believe he wrote about his flying wires broke while shooting “The Ghost Wolf” for example.
This then nine-year-old child burst out in tears when I saw the headline about George Reeves’ death. George Reeves was MY Superman (much as I love Christopher Reeve’s interpretation).
Great video! This is the kind of stuff I look to you tube for. I think myself to be a pretty good expert on "The Adventures" but your marriage of the radio and TV versions of the show brought a few things that I did not know or had forgotten. Thanks so much for your hard work and yes as a long time AFTRA member I support striking members of SAG-AFTRA and WGA.
I hadn't watched any Superman-related content for a long time until I started watching "Smallville" Monday night. Glad that there will be a new movie. No one will ever do it better than George Reeves.
I was born in 57, so I didn't get to see Superman on TV. I finally got all the seasons of the George Reeves Superman when I was 60 years old. That was 5 years ago. What's weird, I had a very vivid Superman 2 dream, and it was George Reeves Superman. And he had help with Zod, Ursa, and Non.
I was born in '53 but reruns of Superman were common from the mid 1960s and 1970s on regular TV stations looking to show low budget programming. Later it could be seen on Networks such as Nickelodeon.
until this moment i've never felt about superman the way i do about star trek - but you did that for me - truth justice and the american way - if only that could be good for all - thanks as always for your excellent work - in solidarity with workers ever, especially those on the picket lines, SI SE PUEDE
Great work as always, Steve! Rest In Peace, George. (Side question: in the future will you be doing a BSE video on the Superman: TAS-version of Supes? Because that character is highly underrated and needs love.)
