Containing one of the most instantly recognizable intro sequences to a TV show ("Look up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Superman!"), THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN was the first attempt to bring the comic-book character to television screens. This first season originally aired in 1952, and established great cinematic characters such as Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and of course Clark Kent himself. By day Kent attempts to live an anonymous existence as a reporter for the Daily Planet, but when trouble comes calling, he transforms himself into Superman, the last survivor from the planet Krypton. 

The Evil Three (Original Air Date—23 January 1953) Season 1, Episode 19: Perry White and Jimmy Olsen, while on a fishing trip, end up staying at a rundown hotel. It has only three occupants -- two men who are trying to kill each other and a wheelchair-bound old woman who laughs like a maniac. Superman races to help his friends before they fall victim to the "evil three."

The Riddle of the Chinese Jade (Original Air Date—30 January 1953) Season 1, Episode 20: Lois Lane held hostage by the armed criminal who has stolen a priceless antique and left two people to drown.

The Human Bomb (Original Air Date—6 February 1953) Season 1, Episode 21: "Bet A Million" Butler, who will "bet on anything," wages $100,000 he can keep Superman under his control for 30 minutes. He shows up at the Daily Planet and abducts Lois Lane, forcing her onto the ledge of the newspaper's office building. Butler, calling himself only the "human bomb," has strapped dynamite to himself. After Superman arrives, the "human bomb" says he'll detonate the explosive unless Superman agrees to stay put for 30 minutes while a robbery takes place. Superman agrees but has no intention of allowing the robbery to take place.

Czar of the Underworld (Original Air Date—13 February 1953) Season 1, Episode 22: A movie is being filmed about mobster Luigi Dinelli. The film is based on a series of articles that Clark Kent wrote for the Daily Planet. Dinelli is more than displeased. He orders a hit on Clark before the reporter and Inspector Henderson can leave for Hollywood to observe filming. Later, an actor on the movie is killed when real ammunition has been substituted for blanks. Clark, in both his civilian and Superman identities, works to put Dinelli away for good.

Ghost Wolf (Original Air Date—20 February 1953) Season 1, Episode 23: After discovering human footprints that turn into wolf tracks, Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen trapped in a raging forest fire.

Crime Wave (Original Air Date—27 February 1953) Season 1, Episode 24: As a massive crime wave unfolds, Superman vows to put top mobsters behind bars. His ultimate target is the mysterious "No. 1 man." The top criminal devises a trap for the Man of Steel.

George Reeves convincingly played Superman throughout the first season of the show, and he returned to play the Man of Steel in all the subsequent seasons. Although it soon turned into a laugh-fest, this first series of adventures takes a serious approach to the characters, mirroring later interpretations such as LOIS & CLARK from the 1990s. The show was hugely popular in its day, and this collection of episodes from the first season of THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN affords viewers the chance to wallow in some awesome retro TV action.

Cast: George Reeves, Bill Kennedy, Jack Larson, John Hamilton, Robert Shayne, Noel Neill 

Region 1 (US and Canada)
Full Frame - 1.33
B&W 153 minutes