In 1953 Superman was called upon to save Metropolis from a nuclear disaster. I never thought about how real such a situation could be until 1979's Three Mile Island incident (close to where I live).
I grew up watching George Reeves' Superman. I still remember the front page headlines from the New York Daily News when he commented suicide. I was very young and didn't fully understand that he was gone forever. It saddened me and gave me my first thoughts about life and death.
George Reeves’ SUPERMAN was another Satanic Ritual Sacrifice disguised as a “suicide”; George Reeves died exactly 444 DAYS after the premiere of the LAST episode of “The Adventures of Superman” - - - 66.666 x 6.66 = 444 DAYS - - - In “The WITCHES’ Gematria” the name “LUCIFER” adds up to 444.
Most likely he didn't commit suicide. Search RU-vid for videos about his supposed "suicide" and you will learn how ridiculous the story is. Several shots from the gun were heard. How many bullets does it take for a man to kill himself?
Great episode I had forgotten about long ago. How naive they were, and how spot on they were. Wish it were that simple. They had a great deal yet to learn when it came to nuclear reactors - the writers of the episode unwittingly actually used to Soviet model, with almost the same results.
Years ago had chat with Noel Neill (told how Bing Crosby hit on her promising to help her career when she was young chorine on Paramount lot in late-1940s) - explained how when Kelloggs took over sponsorship and series went color, went more for that silly “Professor Periwinkle” stuff, and away from that grittier film-noir atmosphere of the earlier black-and-white episodes.
This episode really ahead of its time and fascinating in the context of the 1950's. Especially later shot when he is above Metropolis looking down , isolated.... "You haven't quite figured out how to handle it..... the radiation- no. The radiation has become concentrated in me.".. I have been rediscovering all these episodes . I realized how much a part of my childhood they were and how much I really missed them. Sent my grand nephew the whole series for his birthday. I am looking forward to, Around the World with Superman which is on this weekend. Thanks so much Jim. 3:34
I liked the one where the freaky little bald midgets kept crawling out of the ground. They were also radioactive. I believe that is why Superman admired them so.
@@williamw422 You mad? Why you mad, bro? Is it because your radioactive Superman is a joke. I grew up on this Superman, but unlike you, I don't let this ridiculous clip tickle my nostalgia pubes. And yes, I'm sure that your worthless Superman can't stop an exploding jar of pee, so thanks for pointing that out.
@@williamw422 Hey man, you're right.... Sorry for the jerky comments. Sometimes I say stupid and regrettable things. This is clearly one of those times. So, I'm sorry if my stupidity caused you any aggravation.
I watched the original broadcast of this episode and was so impressed with the image of Superman's fingerprints glowing on the candlestick telephone he use during his isolation. Indelible memories from my youth.
This could have been a perfect place for a DC/Marvel crossover if the guy he dragged out of there turned into the Hulk from all the gamma radiation. But I don’t think Marvel had come up with the Hulk yet. 😂
@@vulcan2882 You do know who Dr. Banner is? That would be the one who became the incredible Hulk. So he didn’t melt. As far as Superman goes, I have no idea what the radiation resistance of Kryptonians is. We’re not talking about reality here.
Remember this one from 1955. Great effects for the time. Always love George. If he only knew what an impression he has made over the past 70 years. What about the other poor slobs on the floor. Toast.
*LOL* Notice that all wore PPE except Superman. Given the risk of gamma rays it behooved him to put one on. I wonder if, as Clark Kent, he also wore a watch with luminous radium hands. 😉
Caleb, you are definitely not the only one. Many people, young and older remember George Reeves and Superman. If you have time, check out my Facebook page "jimnolt" or join my FB group "The Adventures Continue."
They gave Superman big stuff to do in season two. It was the best season of the series. And none of it would have worked without the great George Reeves. Thank you, George. You gave millions of kids the gift of hope.
"Your whole body radioactive forever"... Well, I can see how that might be a problem. Did anyone see the whole episode and how Superman was decontaminated?
I think the show would have had a much better chance of staying on the air for at least another season or two if it had stayed in B+W. Though it was cutting edge and helping to secure future syndication, the technicolor filming was a huge unneeded expense. The show started in 1952 and went on to 1958. Color TVs wouldn't be widely used by the majority of TV owners until 1968. Yes that late. So yes color TV started in 51 but the major color transition wasn't until 65 but again most people wouldn't ever see any of those color shows until 68 because most people still didn't own a color TV in 65 and even in 68 it was still only half that had color TVs. It was the early 70s before most people owned a color TV set.
The shw was very popular even in color. The reason the show didn't last had nothing to do with technology. It had everything to do with George Reeve's suicide.
A man can't be "loaded with gamma rays". Gamma rays pass right through the body and do a lot of damage. But a body can't retain them for any length of time.
As an 8 year old at the time, I did not know anything about Nuclear Science. But Superman came to the rescue. Now I know that Protons would have definitely kill anyone.
Spoiler- Uberman finds a way to reverse time and have never been radiated. Just like when Patrick Ewing wakes up on Dallas and it was all just a bad dream.
But don't expose yourself, hardly a place or time for the scientist dude to expose himself anyway, unless the old fella makes a habit of that kind of behaviour.
