Superman (1948)

Superman comes to Earth as a child and grows up to be his home's first superhero with his first major challenge being to oppose The Spider Lady.

Directors:

Spencer Gordon Bennet (as Spencer Bennet), Thomas Carr

Writers:

George H. Plympton (adaptation), Joseph F. Poland (adaptation)

Stars:

Kirk Alyn, Noel Neill, Tommy Bond

Cast

Cast overview:
Kirk Alyn	...	Superman / Clark Kent
Noel Neill	...	Lois Lane
Tommy Bond	...	Jimmy Olsen
Carol Forman	...	Spider Lady
George Meeker	...	Driller
Jack Ingram	...	Anton
Pierre Watkin	...	White
Terry Frost	...	Brock
Charles King	...	Conrad [Chs. 6-15]
Charles Quigley	...	Hackett [Chs. 6-15]
Herbert Rawlinson	...	Graham [Chs. 3, 9-11, 13-15]
Forrest Taylor	...	Leeds [Chs. 3-4]
Stephen Carr	...	Morgan [Chs. 3-4]
Rusty Wescoatt	...	Elton [Chs. 7-15]

Storyline

Jor-El (Nelson Leigh), a scientist on the planet Krypton rockets his infant son to Earth just before Krypton explodes. The boy is found on Earth by a farmer, Eben Kent (Ed Cassidy) and his wife, Martha (Virginia Carroll) and they name him Clark Kent (Kirk Alyn). When Clark grows up, his foster father asks him to use his amazing super powers only for good. The mild-mannered Clark gets a job on the Daily Planet as a reporter, and soon, as his alter-ego Superman (Kirk Alyn'), and soon tangles with The Spider Lady (Carol Forman), who considers herself Queen of the Underworld. Meanwhile, a fragment from the planet Krypton reaches earth and falls in her possession. It is the only substance that can render Superman helpless.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | superman character | lois lane character | clark kent character | jimmy olsen character | 

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Taglines:

FOR THE FIRST TIME! (original poster - all caps)

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Genres:

Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 July 1948 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Adventures of Superman

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$350,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$1,000,000, 31 December 1948

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

244 min (15 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Considered to be the most successful serial of all time.

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Goofs

In chapter 14, a very clear boom mic shadow falls on the car just before Jimmy gets into it.

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Quotes

Perry White: [gruffly] What do you want?
Superman: [as Clark Kent] Uh... a job.
Perry White: [sarcastically] Any special kind? Or would mine do?
Superman: Well, I would like to be a reporter. I haven't had any experience in writing, but... uh...
Perry White: That should help.
Superman: Well, I have other qualifications that might be valuable.

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Alternate Versions

Opening chapter credits removed from the video release.

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Connections

Version of The Death and Return of Superman (1994)

User Reviews

The original title of this serial/ Kirk Alyn

I remember for years this serial being titled "Superman Vrs. The Spider Lady". I was fortunate enough, to have lived in the nick of time to see this at a theater. I have read articles through the later year since, discussing all the Superman related creations. One, for example, was in TV Guide, listing all who played the hero. Included the title "...Vrs. The Spider Lady". I also have noticed it elsewhere, too. What happened now this is not acknowledged? When I looked to order it on DVD I therefore had a problem to recognized it. I've always have believed Kirk Alyn is the best convincing actor to portray him. To me he would be able to not be detected while in his Clark disguise with his glasses. The others who has since took the role, has distinct voice or features enough to be discovered.