#79 Super Serial

This year Superman turns 80, which means I'll probably write a handful of Superman blogs over the course of the year. Today's topic is the 1948 theatrical serial Superman. I watched this serial for the first time the week before last. The story took place over fifteen black-and-white chapters that were originally shown weekly in theaters. The chapters averaged about seventeen minutes in length, so it was sort of like watching a TV show from the days before TV really took off. It's hard for me to imagine going to a theater week after week only to be treated to another cliffhanger, but that's how things worked back in the day.

I really enjoyed Superman. The story was packed with action, and even though the constant cliffhangers got a little bit annoying, I kept coming back for more, anxious to see how Superman would foil the Spider Lady's plot to take control of the dangerous Reducer Ray.

Superman himself was fantastic. He performed some impressive feats of strength and showcased both his X-ray vision and his invulnerability time and time again. He flew quite a bit as well, but, due to budget constraints, the flying sequences were animated, which always seemed somewhat funny. Still, watching Supes wrangle bad guys, bounce bullets off his chest, and leap out of windows was great.

In my opinion the real star of the show was Lois Lane. I think it's fair to say that a Superman story is only as good as its Lois, and serial Lois was magnificent. Time and time again she rushed headfirst into danger to get a story and refused to be intimidated or pushed around. Back in the day Lois always loved Superman but couldn't stand his disguised identity, Clark Kent. She's always scheming to get the scoop before Clark. At one point, Clark and Lois are competing for a story, and Clark says something about getting a break. Lois responds that she hopes it's an arm or a leg. (Savage!)

The rest of the characters were good, too. I liked Jimmy Olsen as a rough and tumble cub reporter, unafraid to get into a fight. I appreciated gruff editor Perry White, and I enjoyed hardworking if somewhat timid Clark Kent. The Spider Lady had quite the gang at her service, and it was fun to see all the different types of trouble she was able to cause.

From what I gather, Superman was very well-received and hugely finiancially successful. It's pretty cool to know that 70 years ago there were thousands of Superman fans out there who enjoyed Supes and his adventures just as I do today. "This is a job for Superman!"

Grace and peace,
BMH