I picked the complete first season of the ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN this morning. In most ways, this is esentially a first time viewing experience for me. Like most of us, if not all of us, this show (filmed in 1951) pre-dated my birth. Unlike many of you, I never had the opportunity to see this show in reruns as a child. My brief exposure to this show came during a short period of afternoon reruns about 20 years ago.

For me, although I'm quite familiar with the George Reeves story, the George Reeves Superman has been more myth than reality. Today I finally got to see what many of you remember from 30 or more years ago.

Having only seen a couple of episodes (the day is still young), I can say that I'm already a huge George Reeves fan! I understand why so many consider him the definitive Superman. I especially enjoy his portrayal of Clark Kent as the solid, upstanding, father figure. It's in marked contrast to the klutzy nebbish that we see in the later movies.

Personal taste aside, let me comment about the DVDs. As expected, Warner Brother has once again shown why they are simply the best in the business. Other companies have done some first class TV. But nobody other than WB has CONSISTENTLY delivered excellent DVDs. This is a five DVD set with the slightly annoying packing anomoly that it is sometimes necessary to remove one DVD in order to reach another (disc 2 has to come out in order to reach disc 1). Oh well, that's a small quibble. There's lots of extras: commentaries, documentaries and more.

The BIG question (and, for me, the ONLY important question): HOW DOES IT LOOK? Well, it looks wonderful. It looks better than I could have hoped for. Imperfections do exist. There's some speckles and some scratches. These are minor. The quality is first class for a show of this era. Keep in mind that we are watching material that was filmed in 1951. It pre-dates I LOVE LUCY. This may be the oldest TV series yet released by a major studio. I do have some other TV from the era such as TALES OF TOMORROW but I can assure you that there is no comparison in terms of visual quality.

For all practical purposes, the shows are uncut. There has been some complaints on the net about missing previews and missing commericial bumpers and such. I appreciate that sentiment but these episodes are still clocking in at almost 26 minutes so nothing of substance is missing.

I'm putting in a screen cap from episode 2 THE HAUNTED LIGHTHOUSE. It's an example of the very nice gray scale and contrast. I might add that I've seen no digital artifacts that plague so many later TV releases. I wish LOST IN SPACE looked HALF this good.

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/711/sup17kw.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

I want to throw in another screen cap for your perusal (wish I could think of a better word than perusal). I was reading some discussion about the show and somebody who had read the amazon reviews noted that it was quite amazing how people can look at the same material and come to such a wide range of conclusions. So true. That's the problem with net reviews...no matter what it is, somebody will think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread and somebody else will think it stinks!

Here's Clark in his office. I'm quite pleased by the level of detail in the picture.

http://img429.imageshack.us/img429/8804/sup27wm.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I've been debating whether to get this, or wait for season 2. I know it may seem like a silly reason, but I never liked Phyllis Coats (sp?) as Lois. I want my Noel Neill.

Yeah, that's silly, John. But I can still understand your allegience to Noel Neill - she was the only Lois Lane I knew growing up.

However, when I finally got to see the first season episodes years later, I fell head over heels in love with the beautiful and brassy Phyllis Coates!


http://usuarios.lycos.es/supermanreturns/supclarklois.jpg
- GJS

I've been debating whether to get this, or wait for season 2.

I think this is a case where price should reasonably be factored into the decision. I wouldn't recommend that anybody buy a DVD just for the heck of it.

On the other hand, we are talking about a FIVE disc set that is probably retailing for about $25.00 to $30.00 in the U.S. (I paid $34.00CDN). You get 5, dual layer discs with commentaries on four episodes, documentary/featurette, some original Kellog's commercials, the Superman and the Mole Men Theatrical feature and a 20 minute Technicolor short with Reeves as Buffalo Bill.**

For folks who aren't Superman fans, price isn't an issue because even a bargain isn't a bargain if you're not interested. But if you are a Superman fan, then $25.00 isn't really a risk. I've spent more than that on some SINGLE discs (Got some Criterion and old Image stuff that cost $40.00 to $50.00 for ONE disc).

**As I recall this is about the same as I paid for the last volume of Lost in Space for which I received three DVDs with the worst transfers in the history of TV on DVD and no extras other than a few minutes of 10 year old interview out takes.

I absolutely agree, Noel WAS Lois to me. It was great seeing her cameo (along with the earlier Superman Kirk Alyn) in the '78 film.

Noel starred as Lois in the 1948 serial with Kirk and later with Reeves. I wonder why they had Phyllis in the first season instead of Noel as she had already successfully played Lois?

I picked up this set today. But, I haven't yet had time to watch any of it. I loved this series. It was very well done, only getting into trouble when color was introduced - a problem that plagued many a series in the 50's and 60's.

I know you will really enjoy this journey, Brent. I can't wait to throw this on, sit back and relish again the early days when television was truly bold.

I was on the fence too but went ahead and picked it up - $24.99 at BEST BUY. I grew up watching reruns of this series on local television in the 60s and 70s. I've also watched the occasional episode on TV-LAND and am happy that these episodes have been cleaned up and restored for DVD - the quality of the prints on TV-LAND was sometimes atrocious. I always enjoyed Reeves comforting take on the character - and as time has passed I've come to realise how much some particulars of The Adventures of Superman and especially Reeves' interpretation of Clark Kent owe a tip of the fedora to the classic Fleischer Superman cartoons of the 1940s. Also, the first season is considered by true fans to be much more gritty and realistic than subsequent seasons - it was produced by Bob Maxwell, who had produced the Superman radio serials - and he viewed the TV show as an adult crime melodrama. As a result, the first season is relatively violent with plenty of gunplay and corpses. DC Comics felt this approach wasn't wholesome enough and so Maxwell was replaced by Producer Whitney Ellsworth for subsequent seasons. The result was a more kid-friendly version designed to better sell Rice Krispies to the masses.

Man oh man you guys keep costing me $. I read this post, then see that I really want this, go to Amazon to purchase, they offer Hitch season 1 as a "go with"; I examine that info, go "yeah! I want this!" and order both.

And this is after ordering the Criterion "Fell to Earth", Fawlty Towers, Black Adder, all after reading previous posts.

Plus this is after reading in the news how much harder it will now be to declare bankruptcy. And I'm runnin out of shelf space. And I have a million models to build.

But the really good news is, I'm in love with a wonderful girl who puts a smile on my face and just shrugs over these excesses of mine. LIFE IS SO GOOD.

But the really good news is, I'm in love with a wonderful girl who puts a smile on my face and just shrugs over these excesses of mine. LIFE IS SO GOOD.

Hmmm...I was with my girlfriend last week and, at a very inopportune moment, she referred to me as "Richard". That can't be good.

The good news is that the DVDs are putting a smile on my face :).

I'm in love with a wonderful girl who puts a smile on my face and just shrugs over these excesses of mine.



I have found that this is pretty much the key to a happy life.:)

Great way to end the day, thanks guys. And tonight I hope to -

This was a must buy for me , having watched the series throughout the years growing up . Transfer looks great so far , only problem is my Disc # 4 is actually a mis-labled #5 . Looks like I'll have to return it for another set and hope this is a fluke .

Anyone else have this problem as well ?

What the hell, I ordered it. It's certainly better than most of what's on current TV anyway :)

Maybe she meant - well, since this is a family board I won't continue the thought but a recent discussion of one of John P's figure kits comes to mind! :jest:

In any case Kenneth ;) thanks for the heads-up on the Supes discs. Yet another reason for me to spend some hard-earned money!

Huzz

I watched the first episode "Superman on Earth" last night - which I had never seen before. It's the origin story from the destruction of Krypton to Superman's first appearance in Metropolis and Clark Kent's subsequent hiring at the Daily Planet. The episode looks great and it's a bit of a hoot for all the obvious reasons. The Kryptonians are all wearing costumes from the old Flash Gordon serial and Ma and Pa Kent could have subbed for Ma and Pa Kettle. I never knew until now that Pa Kent's first name (at least in 1952) was Ebam! Also watched the documentary "From Inkwell to Backlot" (nice) - and about 30 minutes of "Superman and The Mole Men" (less than riveting).


I'll check disc 4 tonight to see if my set has the same problem.

Holy Cow!

I thought it was fluke but I just checked my disc 4 and it's also a mislabeled disc 5!

And things were going so nicely :(. The disc 4 LOOKS correct with the proper silk-screening for disc four but it is another disc 5.

Yeah, now I have to wonder how widespread the problem is.

Holy Cow!

I thought it was fluke but I just checked my disc 4 and it's also a mislabeled disc 5!

And things were going so nicely :(. The disc 4 LOOKS correct with the proper silk-screening for disc four but it is another disc 5.

Yeah, now I have to wonder how widespread the problem is.


I took the set back to the store , they were out of stock . They gave me a refund as the dept manager didn't know when they would get more . Seeing that you have the same problem as well Brent , I may wait to see if Warner addresses the situation before buying another set .

I notice we're both in Canada and I wonder if that has anything to do with the bad batch being distributed?

The reason I say that is because I've been searching the 'net and I haven't found anybody else mention this issue. If it was REALLY widespread, I'm guessing somebody else would have caught on to it by now.

I'd prefer to take this up with WB personally because the Wal Mart where I bought this still has the same batch on the shelf and I don't have a lot of confidence in a simple exchange. Of course, I can find NO contact address for WB.

I wonder how in the world something like this happens? One would assume that there is an automated production line where such items are directed to the proper area for labelling. I mean, when was the last time you bought a tube of toothpaste with a Brylcreem label?

I notice we're both in Canada and I wonder if that has anything to do with the bad batch being distributed?

The reason I say that is because I've been searching the 'net and I haven't found anybody else mention this issue. If it was REALLY widespread, I'm guessing somebody else would have caught on to it by now.

I'd prefer to take this up with WB personally because the Wal Mart where I bought this still has the same batch on the shelf and I don't have a lot of confidence in a simple exchange. Of course, I can find NO contact address for WB.

I wonder how in the world something like this happens? One would assume that there is an automated production line where such items are directed to the proper area for labelling. I mean, when was the last time you bought a tube of toothpaste with a Brylcreem label?



Quite possible it is a specific batch as I bought my set at Wal Mart as well , Brent .

I checked Future Shop and Best Buy's website but cannot find the series listed on their website . Looks like a trip to Best Buy may be in order .

I had previously noticed something strange about the situation in town. Wal Mart has the set but NOBODY else. Best Buy doesn't have it even though they list it on their board of new releases at the store entrance. Future Shop doesn't have it. HMV doesn't have it and CDplus doesn't have it. Those are the "Big 4" electronics stores and none of them have it.

If you go to the Amazon.ca (Canada) website, they list it as being sold via an outside seller.

Curiouser and curiouser....

Just checked Disc 4 and mine is fine.

I watched the first episode "Superman on Earth" last night - which I had never seen before. . . The episode looks great and it's a bit of a hoot for all the obvious reasons. . . Also watched the documentary "From Inkwell to Backlot" (nice) and about 30 minutes of "Superman and The Mole Men" (less than riveting).As I recall, Superman and the Mole Men was originally made as a low-budget independent theatrical feature, which was then re-edited into a two-part episode when the TV series went into production. Love those midgets in furry pajamas and the "weapon" that suspiciously resembles a trumpet bell stuck to a canister vacuum cleaner! And the Kryptonian high council in "Superman on Earth" meeting at good ol’ Griffith Observatory. I'm not familiar with "From Inkwell to Backlot," though.

And the Kryptonian high council in "Superman on Earth" meeting at good ol’ Griffith Observatory. I'm not familiar with "From Inkwell to Backlot," though.

There is some acting and dialogue in that scene that gives new meaning to the term "stilted". "From Inkwell to Backlot" is a documentary about the genesis of the show produced specifically for the DVD.

I had previously noticed something strange about the situation in town. Wal Mart has the set but NOBODY else. Best Buy doesn't have it even though they list it on their board of new releases at the store entrance. Future Shop doesn't have it. HMV doesn't have it and CDplus doesn't have it. Those are the "Big 4" electronics stores and none of them have it.

If you go to the Amazon.ca (Canada) website, they list it as being sold via an outside seller.

Curiouser and curiouser....


Seems to be an issue with the Canadian market release , Brent .

I went to 6 or 7 video stores and all were either sold out or never received it . HMV had one copy . I bought it and it has the same #4 disk issue .

I then spoke to a Sunrise Records store salesperson and apparently WB had been informed of the problem on Fri . They received notice to send all their stock back to the distributor . Re-release date unknown .

I went to 6 or 7 video stores and all were either sold out or never received it . HMV had one copy . I bought it and it has the same #4 disk issue .



Well ain't that the darndest thing. And disc 4 has 2 of the 4 commentary tracks.

Guess we'll just have to sit tight.

You have to wonder how such a thing can happen. Like I said earlier, you would assume there is an automated system that directs each disc to the proper place. I can understand one fluky thing thing happenning but to get a large production run screwed up?

Furthermore, why would this be a Canadian issue (which it clearly is)? By all indications, this is exactly the same set sold in the U.S.. There are no Canadian markings or indications on the packaging or the discs. The only Canadian marking was that standard little Canadian rating STICKER that's applied to DVD's sold in Canada...but that's just a sticker on the outside.

Murphy's Law I guess. If something CAN go wrong, it WILL go wrong.

Honestly...two discs fives, you gotta' be kiddin' me :)!

Does anyone know what the release schedule is for the other 5 seasons?

Does anyone know what the release schedule is for the other 5 seasons?


This site has info on the 2nd season release .

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=4285

Official notice to Canadians now being sent via email from amazon.ca (Canada):

"We are writing about your recent order for the DVD set "The Adventures of Superman: The Complete First Season." It has recently come to our attention that one of the discs in this set is a duplicate.

As Warner Bros. has recalled the DVD sets, we have cancelled your order. Your credit card will not be charged.

If you still wish to purchase this item, it will be available again from Amazon.ca in the future--so feel free to check back again. If you need this DVD set immediately, it is currently available from Amazon.com. The sets shipped from the USA do not have this same duplicate DVD issue"

So, the Canadians get the factory seconds - is that it?

So, the Canadians get the factory seconds - is that it?

Yes, of course!

Duh!

http://www.angelfire.com/tv2/supermanontv/taos001.jpg




http://www.angelfire.com/tv2/supermanontv/taos004.jpg

I watched the first episode "Superman on Earth" last night - which I had never seen before. It's the origin story from the destruction of Krypton to Superman's first appearance in Metropolis and Clark Kent's subsequent hiring at the Daily Planet... I never knew until now that Pa Kent's first name (at least in 1952) was Ebam!

The first time the Kents are identified as 'Eban' and 'Sarah' is in this 1942 novel by George Lowther ( who fleshed out the Superman Characters on The Adventures of Superman radio series ):

http://www.noosfere.com/showcase/IMAGES/hard_60.jpg

- GJS

The first time the Kents are identified as 'Eban' and 'Sarah' is in this 1942 novel by George Lowther ( who fleshed out the Superman Characters on The Adventures of Superman radio series ):

http://www.noosfere.com/showcase/IMAGES/hard_60.jpg

- GJS

Gary - cool onfo! Do you know if this novel is the earliest source for the fleshed-out origin story as we know it today? The movie's execution is certainly more sophisticated, but the particulars of the origin story in both the TV series and Superman: The Movie are almost exactly the same. I wouldn't be surprised if the movie's scriptwriters used the TV episode as a template when writing the big-screen origin treatment.

OK, from TVShowsonDVD.com:

WB has informed Amazon.ca that they will be sending replacements for the messed-up disk 4, free of charge. "Please email CustomerService@warnerbros.com, let them know your mailing address & that you're requesting a replacement Disc 4 of "The Adventures of Superman: The Complete First Season" DVD set."

OK, from TVShowsonDVD.com:

WB has informed Amazon.ca that they will be sending replacements for the messed-up disk 4, free of charge. "Please email CustomerService@warnerbros.com, let them know your mailing address & that you're requesting a replacement Disc 4 of "The Adventures of Superman: The Complete First Season" DVD set."


Great news , sent off my email for a replacement .

Done the same here.

Who knows, in the long run this might work out to our benefit. If WB doesn't request the reutrn of disc "4", then we get an extra copy of the bonus features on dic 5.

While this is certainly an annoyance, it' s only 6 out of 26 episodes so we can still get a pretty good Superman fix in the meantime.

Honestly, I have bought so much TV on DVD recently that I'm falling way behind on viewing. There was Kolchak a couple of weeks ago, Petty Coat Junction, Tales of Tomorrow at about the same time. Season 2 of The Munsters comes out on Tuesday. I still have about 80 episodes of unwatched TV!

I'm in the same boat.

I've bought so many collections lately that I have too many episodes to view before the next bunch of sets come out.

A Sony DVD jukebox that holds 200+ discs sounds more and more temptling, lately. I could load it up with classic TV show collections and then set it to "random" playback for my own at-home version of TV Land or Nickelodeon. The only problem is that they do not play double-sided DVD-18 discs (you have to remove them and flip them around), unlike the double-sides LaserDisc players of a few years back. Or, I would have to resort to copying the DVD-18's onto several single or dual-layer DVD-Rs for use in the unit. Either way would be a hassle.

Gary - cool info! Do you know if this novel is the earliest source for the fleshed-out origin story as we know it today? The movie's execution is certainly more sophisticated, but the particulars of the origin story in both the TV series and Superman: The Movie are almost exactly the same. I wouldn't be surprised if the movie's scriptwriters used the TV episode as a template when writing the big-screen origin treatment.

Scott,
I think that may be the case. I know there was an abbreviated comic book version back in 1938 ( Pa Kent's name is not given and he refers to his wife by the name of "Mary" ) but, it's really sketchy.

Recently I finally got to see the first Kirk Alyn movie serial from 1948:

http://www.redboots.net/serials/kack03.JPG

...And I was really surprised at how similar the origin story was as shown in the serial compared to the one from the tv series! I'll have to rewatch it to be certain but, I could swear that the Kent's names are Eban & Sarah there, too. It wasn't until much later that they evolved into Jonathan and Martha. But, the particulars of the origin story are here as well.

I'll try to dig up more info about the origin but, I believe you're right about the George Lowther book being the source ( I know when they did the origin on the radio show, Superman landed on earth as a fully grown man and just picked the name Clark Kent as an alias out of thin air! )

- GJS

Has anyone received their replacement disc? I sent off an email as directed above. I have received no reply and no replacement disc.

Huzz

No. No replacement disc yet. I'm not surprised but I must say they are dragging their feet.

This isn't a case of a disc that has to be reauthored and pressed again. All they have to do is send us disc 4 which, we know, already exists. It should be easy.

Superman was officially re-released in Canada last week (I think) but I haven't seen it on the store shelves yet. I will be slightly annoyed if the corrected set goes on sale and we still haven't got replacements. There is an element of fairness involved. If I have to wait one, two or three months that's fine. But it would be unfair for new buyers to get the corrected sets before we (the very first customers) get the correct discs.

Thanks Brent!

My set is still unopened in the box with the WalMart sticker on it. If the second release has been corrected, I may take my first release back and ask for a swap.

Huzz

So I went to Best Buy today and they've put out the corrected Superman release!

Now I'm annoyed.

Like I said...this is a fairness issue. I don't want to go the front of the line but I shouldn't have to go to the back of the line either.

Warner Brothers seems to have found enough copies of Disc 4 that they've started to restock the big retailers but they don't have enough to send to their first customers. First come...last served.

That's not right.