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New Superman DVD Reviews!
Reviewed by Craig Byrne

Want to find a good holiday gift for someone, but they already have all of the Smallville sets?

You're in luck. In addition to putting out Superman Returns and the Ultimate Superman Collector's Edition on DVD, Warner Home Video has been rolling out a plethora of Superman-related DVD merchandise over the past few weeks.

One of the two reviewed here, Seasons 5 & 6 of The Adventures of Superman, came out last week; the second, the Superman Theatrical Serials Collection, hits stores on Nov. 28.

Our KryptonSite reviews are below:

Superman: The Theatrical Serials Collection
Available November 28, 2006
Website: yearofsuperman.com
Click here to order a copy

WAY before Tom Welling, Dean Cain, Christopher Reeve, and George Reeves, the very first live action Superman was a man by the name of Kirk Alyn.

Alyn was already the star of several popular "movie serials" when he was cast as Superman in two serials in the late 1940's. Joining Kirk Alyn as the world's first live-action Lois Lane was Noel Neill. Neill later reprised the role of Lois for the later seasons of The Adventures of Superman. Most recently, she is seen as Lex Luthor's much older, rich bride in Superman Returns.

The two serials, Superman and Atom Man vs. Superman, were probably spectacular for a young person in 1948. When Superman flies, it actually becomes animation, but that doesn't take away. The effects in these serials make 1960's Doctor Who look like Star Wars, but at the end of it all, there's still a certain charm to it.

I liked seeing Kirk Alyn and his alternative take on the Superman role. I wonder why Alyn was not considered for the later Superman TV series and Superman and the Mole Men; perhaps he was just not interested. While Alyn didn't have the same stature that George Reeves had as Superman, he still gave it a very good job and I can see why many people liked this "Superman."

Perry White and Jimmy Olsen are also present on these discs, but sadly they just aren't the same as their TV successors. Jimmy Olsen, especially, was a character that owes a great debt to his portrayal on TV by Jack Larson. But more on him in the second review.

Atom Man vs. Superman offers the first screen appearance of Luthor (not yet with the first name of "Lex"). This Luthor, unlike Gene Hackman, is actually bald, and you can see how and why this portrayal influenced the comics for decades. If anyone had the look of Lex Luthor down pat, it was Lyle Talbot.

One bonus of any old serial is the art of the cliffhanger. While some are cheesy, they're still a lot of fun. The style of cliffhangers was parodied bery well in the 1960's Batman series, which, sadly, is not on DVD.

An extra feature on the DVD set is a documentary, "Saturdays with Superman," featuring movie and Superman historians talking about the serials. These were a nice addition to the set.

Packaging for the discs was very classy and well designed. My only complaint was that the inside discs were overlapping which I always will hate.

Transfers were great, and especially good considering the age of the material. I give this a 3 out of 5. I'm not really a classic movie serial guy at all, but it really was a good kick to see how live action Superman got his start. And at under $20, it's a great buy.

By the way, I should add that I do LOVE the idea of a movie serial. I'm surprised that, in this world where so many people "wait for the DVD," that movie studios haven't come up with the idea of running a continuing 10-or-so minute serial from week to week. Imagine if this was done during a show's summer hiatus!

Click here to order Superman: The Theatrical Serials Collection through Amazon.com and support this site!

The Adventures of Superman: The Complete Fifth and Sixth Seasons
Now Available
Website: adventuresofsupermandvd.com
Click here to order a copy

Can it be - the entire run of The Adventures of Superman is now on DVD?

On November 21, coinciding with the Season 4 release of Lois & Clark, Warner Home Video released the final two seasons of the classic George Reeves series.

While the show can often be formulaic, I find watching these old shows a whole lot of fun. The use of color at a time when most TV just wasn't in color is an added treat. I have to say that Adventures had a wonderful cast - led primarily by George Reeves, Noel Neill, and Jack Larson.

An extra feature on this DVD is a "Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen" featurette. While I liked the look at the work of Jack Larson and the character that he played, I felt like I'd seen it all before, and better, on specials like Look! Up In The Sky! I would have really liked something else on here - perhaps a commentary from Neill and Larson on an episode? They seem quite able and willing to talk about Superman at any chance.

Packaging for this set, like the Theatrical Serials set, is very well designed, as is the disc art... despite the annoying "overlapping discs" thing.

Either way, kudos and congratulations to Warner Home Video for getting out all six seasons of this classic show. With this and Lois & Clark finished, perhaps now you all can get started on putting out the remaining seasons of Superboy? Either way, this set gets a 3.5 out of 5. Good entertaining fun, but there could have been better bonus material.

Click here to order The Adventures of Superman Seasons 5 & 6 through Amazon.com and support this site!

Visit the official YearOfSuperman.com site

Read some of our other DVD reviews! The Adventures of Superman: Season 2 The Adventures of Superman: Seasons 3 & 4 The Dukes of Hazzard: Season 1 The Dukes of Hazzard: Season 2 Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law: Volume 1 Space Ghost: Coast To Coast: Volume 3 Smallville: Season 1 Smallville: Season 2 Smallville: Season 3

Smallville: Season 4 Smallville: Season 5 Wonder Woman: Season 2 Wonder Woman: Season 3 Lois & Clark: Season 1 Lois & Clark: Season 2 Lois & Clark: Season 3Lois & Clark: Season 4 DC Comics Animated DVD Offerings - September 2006 DC Comics Animated DVD Offerings - October 2006 Veronica Mars : Season 2