Man of Steel: The History And Legacy Of Superman (Part 2)

By Kyle Murphy / June 12, 2013

1951 - Superman and The Mole Men

Where Kirk Alyn's previous big-screen adaptation of The Man of Steel relied on over-the-top theatrics and bombastic gesticulations while his Clark Kent was more of a dullard fellow than a mild-mannered über-mensch, Alyn's Juilliard-trained successor to the rippling crimson cape would bring a level of machismo and manliness to the role that would define Superman for a generation. George Reeves was a classical actor, with a role in the epic "Gone with the Wind", but with his acting career in active search of gainful employment, Reeve took the role of Kal-El in the very quickly shot "Superman and the Mole Men" in 1951.

Reeves was a stoic strong-jawed Superman in addition to being a no-nonsense alter-ego when playing the fedora-wearing Kent, laughing with equal glee at the wasteful use of fired bullets as they bounce off his chest, or while shaking his head at yet another ridiculously foiled plot by Lois Lane to reveal Clark's true identity, Reeves brought a gentle touch along with a wide grin to a man of steel. But, just how did Reeves originally launch his version of Superman into the stratosphere? In "Superman and the Mole Men", Reeves was convinced to be harnessed and elevated by wires in order to convincingly portray Superman's leaps and landings, when combined with some creative camera angles and quick reaction shots, this made many movie-goers finally believe a man could fly.

And it was largely for real this time, unlike years previous where Kirk Alyn's animated Superman swooped down and instead of rescuing the kitty from the tree, the disappointment in this cartoon Man of Steel inexplicably subbed for Alyn's live-action flight sequences, practically tore that little cat in half in front of baffled and innocent audiences in theaters both far and wide. Reeves' tremendous wire work in granting flight to The Man of Steel gives "Superman and the Mole Men", a film about acceptance of peaceful under-dwellers, a surprisingly effective 1950's attempt to put Superman into the clouds. This, as well as the air-swirling "whoosh"-ing sound accompanying the flight, catapulted Reeves into the new icon status of carrying the mantle of Superman.