JohnHowardReid U.S. release: 1948. U.K. release: 1949. 2 reels each episode. Total running time: 284 minutes. In 1953, Columbia cut the serial down to a mere 7,923 feet (88 minutes). This cutdown was released in England in September 1953, but it was never released in any medium, either theatrically or to television, in Australia or the U.S.SYNOPSIS: Superman, alias Clark Kent, reporter, assisted by his Daily Planet colleagues Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, thwarts the nefarious plans of the self-styled Spider Lady, mistress of crime. COMMENT: Katzman's Columbia serials are a sorry lot. And this one alas is no exception. Produced on an obviously miniscule budget, this one can't even afford a change of clothes for Lois Lane. Throughout almost the entire film, she wears a ridiculously plate-shaped cap, both indoors and out, whether in peril or in repose. She finally gets rid of it in chapter 13.All the cliffhangers are as tame as iced tea, with obvious resolutions that wouldn't excite a six-year-old child. Also noticeably juvenile was the decision to have Superman fly not with the aid of wires or special effects but crude animation. I'm afraid this Superman would be jeered off the screen by today's youngsters.The players do what they can against a trite, talky, amateurishly plotted script. The "B" grade shuffle is much in evidence with the players using up an unconscionable amount of screen time making entrances and exits, walking to the telephone, and general bouts of just twiddling around.If you must have an episode for your collection, I would suggest 13. Not only does it feature all the principals, but it ends with a chair thrown at the camera, the one sole trace of directorial flair in the entire movie. And the preceding fist fight is not too badly staged either.Otherwise a pedestrian effort in all respects, this Superman is best forgotten.

alexanderdavies-99382 This 1948 serial show of "Superman" was the Man of Steel's debut. The production is decidedly low budget and the special effects for the flying scenes are slightly disappointing. However, there is still much to enjoy here. "Superman" captures the essence of the comic book of the era and includes the superhero's origin story in the opening episode. The scenes based on the planet Krypton are very imaginative. Kirk Alyn is a great Clark Kent/Superman and is physically suitable for the dual role. For her first appearance as Lois Lane, Noel Neill displays tenacity and determination in trying and failing to scoop Kent in presenting the latest stories of the mastercriminal known as the Spider Lady. Speaking of whom, that is how the serial's plot unfolds. Superman manages to thwart the evil plans of the Spider Lady and usually saving Lois Lane or Jimmy Olson. As with all programmes of this kind, all episodes finish with the traditional "cliff- hanger" ending. The pace and action are fast and furious.

atomicpunk40 I wish to say that ten years ago on this very day I personally met Kirk Alyn when I helped him with a chore. He was quite elderly and frail, but still it was an honor to meet him. So this comment is dedicated to the memory of Kirk Alyn.This is the first time The Man of Steel ever appeared on the screen. And guess what? It's great all thanks to Kirk Alyn and a cast that makes it good fun. Yeah I grant you, the special effects are hokey, but you don't need rock'em-sock'em visuals to make a movie, just a great sense of pure enjoyment. Along with Kirk there is Noel Neil as a very spunky Lois Lane. Carol Forman makes a great villain (and a very sexy one too) as the Spider Lady. And former Little Rascal Tommy "Butch" Bond plays Jimmy Olsen (which in itself is another beginning... Bond was the first person to have ever played this role!). But it's Alyn that makes it all great. He gives Superman a sense of real superhero pizazz without making the Son of Krypton look pompous. So run, or fly, out and get a copy and pop it in your player. This is one time where your entertainment time really does become "A job for Superman"!

greggbray If you've read any reviews of this first set of serials, most of them say the same thing. Superman turns into a cartoon (which I found fun!), the acting is wonderful, and the adventure is a real good yarn.The problem is the Spider Lady. Not an interesting character, and she doesn't really give Superman enough challenges. The same 2 thugs seem to be beat up and nearly caught in every episode, and the plot really gets sluggish between episodes 9 through 13, and then picks up at 14 to a quick finish at episode 15.The best are the first few--krypton, Jor-El, the Kents, Superman first meets Kryptonite, early use of his vision, 'up up and away,' etc.--and the last 2 episodes.The 2nd serial set is superior, but this is still great fun to look at from time to time.