Source: Superman (1948) and Atom Man vs. Superman (1950) movie serials
Type: Film
The first screen Superman, Kirk Alyn (born John Feggo Jr.) brought an undeniable squared-jawed earnestness to both his Superman and his Clark Kent, though the old movie serials were pretty old-fashioned, not to say primitive, and he wasn't allowed to fly in the flesh in the first of them (I actually like how he turns into an animated Superman when he needs to, it's a fun effect). Some clips are available on You-Tube, so I'll let them speak for themselves. I think THIS ONE features a good pot-pourri of Superman action, Daily Planet business, and Lois Lane as a victim of the Spider Lady (about time someone 'ported the Queen of the Underworld into the comics!). You might also enjoy the B-movie origin of Superman, complete with exploding Krypton and Clark's childhood.
The serial was a huge success and another was soon made, this one featuring Atom Man, a villain who turned out to be none other than Lex Luthor. Actor Lyle Talbot wore a bald cap for the role, and we'd wait until, what, Smallville?! before a screen Lex would actually show up to set with his own bald head. Oh vanity! Serials were disappearing by the 50s, the form really showing up on television, and Alyn WAS offered the television show. Alas, he made George Reeves' day be declining.
Sadly, Alyn's career didn't really take off after that, though he did play Blackhawk at the movies! So after a lackluster string of uncredited jobs on tv and film through the 50s and 60s, he retired from the business, though he would, later in life, trade on his connection to the Man of Steel. He played Lois Lane's dad in the 1979 Superman film and "Pa Cant" in the 1981 Superman spoof Superbman: The Other Movie (which I now realize Reign should get to someday). He passed away in 1999, age 88.
BONUS COSTUME ODDITY
What the hell, movie poster? Wanted to bring in the Captain Marvel fans too?
Type: Film
The serial was a huge success and another was soon made, this one featuring Atom Man, a villain who turned out to be none other than Lex Luthor. Actor Lyle Talbot wore a bald cap for the role, and we'd wait until, what, Smallville?! before a screen Lex would actually show up to set with his own bald head. Oh vanity! Serials were disappearing by the 50s, the form really showing up on television, and Alyn WAS offered the television show. Alas, he made George Reeves' day be declining.
BONUS COSTUME ODDITY
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