Superman Serials-Complete 1948 and 1950 Coll (1948)

"[1950] ...well acted all around, with Kirk Alyn a very appealing Superman...  Dave Sindelar, Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings

Editor's Note Superman has appeared in more incarnations than almost anyone can name, but his first on-screen appearance was in this set of serials from 1948 and 1950. Kirk Alyn played the beloved superhero in SUPERMAN and ATOM MAN VS. SUPERMAN. Also included is a documentary about the making of the serial.

	Carol Forman
	Kirk Alyn
	Lyle Talbot
	Noel Neill
	Tommy Bond
	Spencer Gordon Bennet - [Both] Director
	Thomas Carr - [1948] Director

Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings 8 of 10
[1948] I don't mind the use of animation for the flying sequences; though it may seem jarring at first, it does add action and interesting movement to those sequences. I like the first several episodes the best, as they deal with the origins of Superman and his joining the reporting team of the Daily Planet. I also like the fact that using a stock group of well-known characters gives us a greater variety of performances among the secondary characters than is usually found in serials...However, there are certain disappointments; the Spider Lady is as dull a serial villain as any I've known (despite her slinky black dress); Carol Forman doesn't appear to be having any fun with the role, and came across as if she'd much rather be home painting her toenails. - Dave Sindelar

Ozus' World Movie Reviews 9 of 10
[1948] One of the best of the cliffhanger serials (if not, indeed, the best); it shows all 15-chapters that used to play before the double-features on Saturday matinees back in the day. It's action-packed as codirected by Spencer Gordon Bennet and Thomas Carr and scripted from a team of writers who based it on the Superman radio shows (which were based on the Action comic book series). Former B-film star Kirk Alyn is an engaging and athletic Superman; he came before George Reeves and Christopher Reeve to set the standard for the role...A fun serial film that gives one a chance to look back at a more innocent time, where there was a gee-whiz innocence to that age that might seem refreshing to some. - Dennis Schwartz