George Reeves remembered on 50th anniversary of death
Wired has a writeup on the life and career of George Reeves, who was Superman to a generation of kids. Reeves was found dead of an apparent suicide on June 16, 1959. While much has been made of the mystery of Reeves’ demise — including the very good film Hollywoodland — what should be remembered is the man’s talent. While “Adventures of Superman” wasn’t high art, Reeves, along with co-stars Noel Neill and Jack Larson, made a classic kids’ show that is still watchable today, despite the extremely limited effects and budgets.
Watching the shows, recently out on DVD, the first two black and white seasons are darker in tone, similar to Superman’s beginnings in the comics. Superman has no problem dropping criminals atop a high mountain, leaving them to consider their deeds. (They don’t, they fall off and presumably die.) Clark Kent doesn’t take much guff from anyone throughout the series, but in the first season he’s a particularly hard-charging reporter, aiming at exposing social ills.
As the series goes on, the plots get sillier and the colorful Superman that comes onto the screen eclipses the journalistic push for justice. But it’s still there; heck, Clark Kent in the 1950s show is often as much the hero as Superman.
- Matt Price
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