Superman (1948)
July 15, 1948Release Date
Plot.
Where to Watch.
Cast & Crew.
Kirk Alyn
Superman, alias Clark Kent
Noel Neill
Lois Lane
Tommy Bond
Jimmy Olsen
Carol Forman
The Spider Lady
Pierre Watkin
Perry White
George Meeker
Driller
Jack Ingram
Anton
Terry Frost
Brock
Charles Quigley
Hackett
Herbert Rawlinson
Graham
Forrest Taylor
Leeds
Stephen Carr
Morgan
Rusty Wescoatt
Elton
Charles King
Conrad
James Carlisle
Government Agent (uncredited)
Jack Deery
Council Member (uncredited)
Earl Turner
Editor
Lewis Clay
Screenplay
Joseph F. Poland
Screenplay
Howard Swift
Animation
Sam Katzman
Producer
Royal K. Cole
Screenplay
George DeNormand
Stunts
George H. Plympton
Screenplay
Media.
Details.
Release DateJuly 15, 1948
StatusReleased
Running Time4h 4m
Content RatingNR
Genres
Last updated:
This Movie Is About.
Wiki.
Superman is a 1948 15-part Columbia Pictures film serial based on the comic book character Superman. It stars an uncredited Kirk Alyn (billed on-screen only by his character's name, Superman; but credited as Kirk Alyn on the promotional posters) and Noel Neill as Lois Lane. Like Batman (1943), it is notable as the first live-action appearance of Superman on film, and for the longevity of its distribution. The serial was directed by Thomas Carr, who later directed many early episodes of the Adventures of Superman television series, and Spencer Gordon Bennet, produced by Sam Katzman, and shot in and around Los Angeles, California. It was originally screened at movie matinées, and after the first three scene-setting chapters, every episode ends in a cliffhanger. The Superman-in-flight scenes are animations, in part due to the small production budget.
A "tremendous" financial success, the serial was a popular success that made Kirk Alyn famous and launched Noel Neill's career. A sequel serial, Atom Man vs. Superman, also directed by Bennet, was released in 1950.