Atom Man vs. Superman (1950)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Spencer Gordon Bennet

Writers:

David Mathews (writer)
George H. Plympton (writer)

Release Date:

20 July 1950 (USA)

Genre:

Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Bigger... Better... Brand-New... The SUPER SERIAL OF THE CENTURY! The one and only SUPERMAN Pitted Against His Mortal Foe!

Plot:

Superman battles Lex Luthor who is using a teleportation device and a new identity as Atom Man in his criminal plans.

Plot Keywords:

Superman | Serial | Teleportation | Perry White | Superhero

Cast

Kirk Alyn	...	Superman / Clark Kent
Noel Neill	...	Lois Lane
Lyle Talbot	...	Luthor / The Atom Man
Tommy Bond	...	Jimmy Olsen
Pierre Watkin	...	Perry White
Jack Ingram	...	Foster (dapper henchman)
Don C. Harvey	...	Albor (lab henchman)
Rusty Wescoatt	...	Carl (beefy henchman)
Terry Frost	...	Baer (medium henchman)
Wally West	...	Henchman Dorr [Chs. 1, 6, 9]
Paul Stader	...	'Killer' Lawson [Chs. 1-4] (as Paul Strader)
George Robotham	...	Earl - TV truck cameraman-driver [Chs. 10-12]

Runtime:

252 min (15 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-12

Filming Locations:

Bronson Caves, Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

In chapter one the shot of Luthor destroying the bridge is actual footage of "Galloping Gertio" or "Bouncing Betty" at the Tacoma Narrows, Washington, USA.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: At the climax of chapter twelve, the villains turn their heat ray on the Daily Planet building, causing all the mechanical devices to spark. As Clark Kent, Kirk Alyn shields his face, but the radio on his desk fails to give off any sparks.

Movie Connections:

Edited from Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse (1940)

Faithful to the Original

Superman vs. Atom Man is an example of the pre-TV serials that attracted kids (including me) to the movie theaters in the 1950's. This serial stays close to the theme of the original Superman, and it's lots of fun. It is better produced and directed than the other serials I faithfully watched in the 1950's at the Broadway theater in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, including one titled "The Monster and the Ape." Clark Kent has an interesting kind of split personality as he tries to conceal his identity as Superman by playing a meek reporter, but occasionally his strength comes out in spite of his efforts. And, Lois Lane (played by the beautiful Noel Neill) is fun to watch, remembering that she later played this role in the TV series. Jimmy Olsen is played by a guy who is quite different from the later actors, and seems to be a little old for the "cub reporter" job. Overall, it's great fun.