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With The Adventures of Superman at the peak of its popularity -- ranking sixth among all independently produced shows then in syndication -- producer Whitney Ellsworth saw no need to tamper with a winning formula. The 13 episodes made during 1956's Season 5 are comparatively weak ones, with the writers trying out different ideas and concepts while maintaining the juvenile tone that had typified the previous two years' offerings. More episodes centered on Daily Planet reporters Lois Lane (Noel Neill) and Jimmy Olsen (Jack Larsen), with Clark Kent and Superman (George Reeves) often making token appearances. One of the best Lois-Jimmy escapades, "The Tomb of Zaharan," finds the nosy newshounds held captive by the descendants of a fanatical religious cult who believe that Lois is the reincarnation of their ancient queen. The inexplicably well remembered "Mister Zero" stars diminutive actor Billy Curtis as a Martian visitor to Metropolis who at one point actually utters the oft-parodied command "Take me to your leader." The sixth season's 13 episodes, produced in 1957, were also on the silly side, but they produced a few favorites -- such as "Superman's Wife," in which veteran pin-up model Joi Lansing appeared as a plucky policewoman whom the Man of Steel marries, much to Lois Lane's chagrin. Reeves himself directed several of the final episodes, of which "The Perils of Superman," a lighthearted romp spoofing old cliffhanger movie serials, is certainly the best. "All That Glitters," directed by Reeves from a script co-written by Ellsworth, was the 104th episode -- and the last. A proposed seventh season never got off the ground, and Reeves died tragically in 1959, a supposed suicide. Thanks to these DVD compilations, however, he continues to fight a never-ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way. Ed Hulse

Product Details

• UPC: 012569825192
• Source: WARNER HOME VIDEO
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Pre-1954 Standard (1.33.1)
• Sound: Dolby Digital Mono
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Français
• Time: 11:17:00
• Sales Rank: 15,877

This set contains DVDs which may be available separately:

• The Adventures of Superman: Peril in Paris
• The Adventures of Superman: Tin Hero
• The Adventures of Superman: The Town That Wasn't
• The Adventures of Superman: Tomb of Zaharan
• The Adventures of Superman: The Man Who Made Dreams Come True
• The Adventures of Superman: Disappearing Lois
• The Adventures of Superman: Money to Burn
• The Adventures of Superman: Close Shave
• The Adventures of Superman: The Phony Alibi
• The Adventures of Superman: The Prince Albert Coat
• The Adventures of Superman: The Stolen Elephant
• The Adventures of Superman: Mr. Zero
• The Adventures of Superman: Whatever Goes Up
• The Adventures of Superman: The Last Knight
• The Adventures of Superman: The Magic Secret
• The Adventures of Superman: Divide and Conquer
• The Adventures of Superman: The Mysterious Cube
• The Adventures of Superman: The Atomic Captive
• The Adventures of Superman: The Superman Silver Mine
• The Adventures of Superman: The Big Forget
• The Adventures of Superman: The Gentle Monster
• The Adventures of Superman: Superman's Wife
• The Adventures of Superman: Three in One
• The Adventures of Superman: The Brainy Burro
• The Adventures of Superman: The Perils of Superman
• The Adventures of Superman: All That Glitters

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