Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786301536783
Format: Black & White
ISBN: 6301536789
Label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
Number Of Items: 2
Publisher: Warner Home Video
Release Date: 1995-06-15
Studio: Warner Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: 1948-01-05

Customer Rating:
Summary: Superman, Return! (Please!)
Comment: I first saw this serial back in the 1990's when it was broadcast on the AMC cable network. As a fan of the 1950's George Reeves TV show, which was not known for being high tech or big budget, I figured the 2 versions would be similar. Well, even though this serial was filmed in 1948, only 3 years before the George Reeves series began, it might as well have been 25 years difference. Smiling, prancing, wooden, and just all around goofy, Kirk Alyn probably would have been well suited in the silent era of movies. As a Superman, I found him generally unsatisfactory.

That was my opinion until 2006, when I saw the big budget mess called `Superman Returns.' Since Brandon Routh, the Superman of that film, was such a big categorical dud, I have revised my opinion of Kirk Alyn. He is still prancing and goofy, and he looked just completely ridiculous during close ups when they tried to show his `X-Ray Vision.' But he was earnest, more likeable and more manly than Brandon Routh. It was pretty cool when Alyn would smile at crooks when they shot at him and the bullets bounced off his chest, a rare moment of toughness. Physically, Kirk Alyn probably resembled the original comic book Superman better than any Superman since. And there are some moment when he is convincing. The early sequence when he first gets clobbered by Kryptonite and befriends a scientist who saves him is very effective.

One of the worst things about this serial, and the superior 1950 sequel, `Atom Man Vs. Superman,' is the method the directors used to simulate flying: they simply overlaid an animated cartoon version over the film, switching a cartoon for poor Kirk Alyn. This is every bit as bad as you could imagine, only worse. Republic Pictures, 7 years earlier, had done very convincing flight sequences in `Adventures of Captain Marvel,' also a low-budget serial, so there is no excuse for the cartoons. This should serve as a caution to CGI geeks: in 30 years, CGI will probably look just as stupid, since it is, in principle, the same thing as a cartoon.

Of some interest to adults would be the main villain of this film: the Spider Lady. She does not seem, innately, to possess sufficient intellect, charisma, or raw power to be the head of a criminal enterprise. Yet she is, and countless male thugs kowtow to her. Physically, she is rather unimpressive, and the actress who played her, Carol Foreman, well let's just say she makes me appreciate Kirk Alyn as a thespian!

But the Spider Lady is dressed a slinky black evening gown, and she wears a black domino mask, just like the actors in porn movies made in the 40's did. And there is a strong S/M overtone to her method of executing enemies.

Besides curiosities such as the Spider Lady, this serial has other positives. The supporting cast at the Daily Planet is good to great. Pierre Watkin is probably as good a Perry White as the TV guy. Former Our Gang/Little Rascal kid Tommy `Butch' Bond is good as Jimmy Olsen, especially since he was essentially blazing a trail in the role. Best of all is Noel Niell, who was much spunkier and animated in this serial than she would be when she reprised her role a few years later on TV. Also, she wore her hair longer and straighter, and she wore a really cute/silly suit, which also adds to her appeal. One of the secrets to making Superman work is that you have to get involved with the supporting characters for Superman to be interesting, since they are the ones who are vulnerable. And in this serial, the characters work.

This serial has all the flaws of Columbia serials, and all the characteristic flaws of the whole serial genre. There are moments when the plot makes no sense, when characters break even the foam rubber logic of the serial. In case you didn't get the point, there's lots of bad acting. But the miracle is that despite having no money, almost no time, and no special effects, this serial is escapist fun, and it is never boring. There are many well-directed scenes scattered amidst the turkeys: one of the directors, Tommy Carr, went on to direct many of the very best episodes of the George Reeves series.

Ultimately, I find engaging that the cast and crew, despite all their obstacles, despite being paid virtually nothing, they plugged away, gave it the old college try. They had heart, something sadly lacking in the most recent versions of this character.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Superman!
Comment: It may not be the best Superman but it is entertaining and I believe the first in many television series. I wished there was more of Robert Barron because he was the father for one of my dear friends and that's why I got the tape for her. We sat and watched the serials together at her home. She was thrilled to see her father act even for only a few minutes onscreen.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: the first live action superman,and it's very good
Comment: this was supermans first time on the live action screen(some cartoons had been done before) and the serial is very good and action packed. what we get is superman coming to earth growing up and his battle with the evil spider-woman.
my boys love this one and we will watch it together when we have the time. check it out.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: IN DVD
Comment: Please..some body can tell me why WARNER STUDIO dont launch the original serie in DVD???? Why??? thanks any information.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: THE FIRST LIVE-ACTION SUPERMAN
Comment: THIS 1948 15-CHAPTER SERIAL FEATURES SUPERMAN [PLAYED HERE BY THE LATE KIRK ALYN] GOING UP AGAINST A GANG OF CROOKS. THIS IS A HELL OF A LOT BETTER THAN THE 1950S TV SHOW THAT FEATURED GEORGE REEVES! AT LEAST THIS SERIAL WAS FUN TO WATCH AND AT LEAST YOU CAN GET INTO WHAT'S GOING ON IN THIS MOVIE. YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO FIND THIS SERIAL IN STORES TODAY, BUT, IF, BY SOME CHANCE, YOU COME ACROSS THIS VIDEO, GET IT!!!!!

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