In the past twenty years, many television entertainment and news shows, including Entertainment Tonight, A Current Affair, Hollywood Babylon, Now It Can Be Told, and Unsolved Mysteries, have presented segments on the life and death of George Reeves. On September 14, 1999 (and repeated on June 22, 2000) ABC's 20/20 presented theirs. Reaction from the readers of The Adventures Continue has been mixed. Below are a few reviews. I welcome further comment, and will include as many as I can on this page. Please send your letters to me using this contact information.

Jim,

Glad to hear the hospital visit did good. I agree with you that George deserved better. I guess I'm getting cynical in my old age. When 20/20 said that they were going to explore the death of George Reeves, that's all I expect them to do.

That's one of the many reasons TAC is so valuable. Without it, the real Super-Man, George Reeves would ever be known. I think that's why Jack, Noel and everybody else is so willing to be a part of TAC. It's quality work about a man that was, and still is, loved dearly.

I also took exception to ABC calling Jack and Noel, George's sidekicks. They were his co-stars and also deserve much better. I'd be interested in other TAC readers' reactions to 20/20 and seeing the questions they wanted ask. Thanks for getting back to me.

Regards,
Steve Anderson

Janet Bliss reported going to George Reeves' house and hearing one shot.This is not what Kashner and Schoenberger reported in Hollywood Kryptonite --

Jan Bliss showed up . . . and caught a glimpse of George . . . just as she was about to knock on the door. It made her uncomfortable -- George walking around with his shirt off (which was all she could see through the window), having an argument with Leonore (sic) in front of everyone. She decided to skip this particular party, and she went home.

Hello Jim:
About 20/20: Jim, I really needed to wait a while before I communicated my feelings because I needed to allow some time for me to place things in proper perspective after viewing the segment. Please allow me this opportunity to vent some steam. I have to tell you that I truly believe that we are not honoring George in the proper manner by indulging in idle speculation regarding his death. To be honest, at this point it doesn't really matter to me what happened on that fateful evening, because I choose to remember George for how he lived; not how he died. Is it most likely that George was murdered? Absolutely! Is there a possibility that George committed suicide? Sure there is! For Nancy Schoenberger to come right out and accuse Toni Mannix of being responsible for having George murdered is just as asinine and ridiculous as when Jim Hambrick came on national TV a few years back to assert that Lenore Lemmon murdered George! Where is the proof? Don't you know that you can't make such accusations without having definite proof! I think that in everybody's zealousness to try to solve this unsolvable riddle, common sense and decency went completely out the window, so to speak. We must trust that this great mystery is in the hands of someone a lot wiser than us mere mortals and that if need be, true justice has been or will be dealt out. But let us not forget that George was in fact only human and so there remains the possibility that he may have felt self-destructive at that point in his life. Don't we all, at some time or another feel total despair. How much would it take for any of us to be pushed into pulling the plug? I also feel that showing the photos of George's autopsy was completely disrespectful to the memory of this great man as well as being very traumatic to look at. I am far from being squeamish, but seeing that photo of George's head wound and worse, looking at the shot of George in his casket in the book Speeding Bullet by Jan Alan Henderson was very depressing to me. It was, simply stated, very morbid and again, totally disrespectful to George. We, as George's fans, must take a step back and allow this man to rest in peace. Maybe we are all a little guilty of mixing George up with his television counterpart and as such, find it outrageous that Superman could actually have died. But we must accept that George was, in fact, only human and should therefore be accorded his due respect to be allowed to rest in peace. Please let me know what you think. Thank you for listening.

Sincerely and most respectfully,
Paul J. Leonetti

20/20 reported that the Adventures of Superman premiered on the ABC TV network. In fact, the series was initially syndicated and premiered on Chicago's WENR-TV on September 19, 1952. ABC later carried Superman in New York and Los Angeles.

I think that the story 20/20 did on George was one of the better ones done of late with the amount of time they spent on the story. What I felt most important was the way the host himself felt and the way we baby boomers felt towards George Reeves' Superman. The host, like myself and many other who have written to you, remembered the day he learned George Reeves died.

As to how he died and why, we will never know. As Noel said once, "Everyone is gone," so who would know? No matter what the reason, it was sad that he died at an early age. However, he will be remembered in our minds and hearts forever, and the show will be enjoyed forever in reruns.

Take care,
Alan Kaminsky

Jack Larson's and Noel Neill's admiration for George Reeves continues to be clearly evident.

Just wanted to share my opinion of the 20/20 segment. I thought it was interesting but unfortunately a repeat of the majority of information we've seen before. I was glad the exposure was on network television instead of some of the previous "tabloid" shows. I thought the most interesting feature was hearing from Jan Bliss, someone who was "almost there" when George died. That brings me to my main point -- the show focused on George's death which is understandable, but I, like you, wish a program could be done on George's life as well, especially all the good things he has done for so many people. From all the biographical sources we've read, we know there are many still alive who knew George and thought the world of him. It would be really nice to include them in a program on a celebration of his life.

Again I want to thank you so much for informing us of the 20/20 program. We would have missed it without you letting us know about it. May God bless you with good health.

Robbie Curlee

Lenore Lemmon, interviewed on both Entertainment Tonight and A Current Affair, shortly before her death. On 20/20, Merrill Sparks says he remembers George and Lenore arguing the night George died.

Hi Jim,

I just wanted to a moment to comment on the recent 20/20 coverage of Mr. George Reeves. I finished reading several comments from other fans and was surprised at how much the fans did not like or appreciate the segment. I do agree George's memory should be honered as an actor and for his very human characteristics. It is unfortunate the segments as well as others have not given much credit for his special attention to charities and especialty to children's hospitals. But as you know, George tended to downplay this as a means not to draw attention to himself. It seems to me he didn't want the public to think he was using charities as a means to advance himself. Not uncommon for people with high dignity, which we believe he had a lot of.Clearly, shows like 20/20 are focused on presenting George's death case and obviously network people must believe there is something more to this chain of events than an act of suicide or it wouldn't be getting the attention. Of course I hated to see photo's of George with gaping wounds and I wish they were never shown or ever again, but I think we as fans of George should appreciate the fact George is getting air time and these shows are a tool to bringing public awarness and George's memory alive. I like to think, someday soon someone, somewhere will produce a bio that will flush out all of George positive traits. He deserves that, but until then, if these shows help educate the public that George died under very mysteriously circumstances, then keep them coming. I have to thank 20/20 for devoting time to George.

Sincerely,
Lou Koza

Jim,

I thought the 20/20 segment on George Reeves was good. I didn't know George resigned from the screen actors guild in 1958, he must have been quite upset to do that.

The segment covered quite a lot of ground in a short amount of time, and Bill Ritter did a good job of hosting. Jan Bliss was convincing in the way she described how she heard only one shot. I was a little surprised to see Ms Schoenberger getting her two cents in, plugging her book, and pressing the Toni Mannix theory. I tend to dismiss the hit man theory now because Jack Larson, who knew Toni Mannix very well, has said there's no way she had anything to do with it.

The piano player, Merrill Sparks, seemed to easily recall Lenore Lemmon's mood at the restaurant. We know she and George were arguing that night, I just wonder in the short time they knew each other if they ever got along. They certainly weren't that night. The bruise on George's upper left forehead I think probably came from the auto accident he recently had rather than the shot.

With the Jan Bliss recount of that terrible night, and the modern day forensics conclusion I'm beginning to believe George did it. But not intentionally. He didn't know the gun was cocked and ready to fire. A luger fires with very little trigger pressure when cocked. When not, it basically feels the same. He went upstairs got ready for bed, saw the gun on the dresser perhaps within arms reach, and being ticked off at himself, grabbed it and went through the motion of shooting himself, never intending to actually kill himself, but just to be self critical. Bad way of being self critical, but George was not sober either. Lemon might have seen him do this once or twice before, and set the trap, knowing sooner or later it could happen. But we have no real motive as to why Lenore would want to see such an accident. Incidentally a lot of details were left out of the segment. I would like to see a much longer program on the subject covering ground on this, but with the bulk covering George's life. A biographical movie would be nice, something to convey how he made us all feel, to do the right thing, be friendly, and believe in ourselves.

Take care Jim,
Garry Manhart

Dear Jim Nolt:
Overall I was very disappointed with the '20/20' program coverage on the death of George Reeves. Before the commercial break, I was angry that Nancy Schoenberger was given ample camera exposure time to peddle that silly theory of Toni having George murdered. Finally, I calmed down a bit when Jan Henderson showed up, but they gave him less than a minute!

I was intrigued to get a glimpse of the autopsy photographs of George Reeves, but overall disappointed with their conclusion of suicide. So far the best program on this topic is the E! Entertainment's Mysteries and Scandals episode. Although I did appreciate the kind comments made by the correspondent about George Reeves' portrayal of Superman.

Jan Henderson's magazine, and later book, Speeding Bullet, lay out a well researched and more important a well-documented case for homicide in this mystery. The Kashners got lazy and took Jan's research and drew a bogus conclusion. But beyond all this evidence, the main reason Reeves' death was not suicide, was that he would never let down the millions of
children who believed in him. George Reeves may have been disgusted with the typecasting and the path his career took, and perhaps he was exasperated with all those kids out there like myself, but he took the role and the responsibilities that went with the cape seriously. Even Phyllis Coates said that when he complained about the role and she advised him to quit, he would refuse because he took a perverse pleasure in knowing he could do the part better than anyone else. Any other actor would have been laughed off the screen in those tights, but George Reeves gave it the magic it needed -- talent. For that I will always believe in George Reeves.

Jim, I hope your doing well, and hang in there.
Sincerely
Ralph Schiller

Jim,

Well the 20/20 episode was pretty disappointing. The only thing "new" were some previously unseen photos (by me anyway) including one of a smiling George leaning on his Olds convertible. That picture looks like it may have been taken at the same time as the one of George sitting on his front steps with a rather dejected look. Both must have been taken shortly before his death.

I have read the autopsy photos were "lost" but apparently not. Showing them was rather gratuitous.

What was of interest was the wife of Bill Bliss saying she was at the Benedict Canyon address to "fetch" her husband and while looking through a window saw George and Lenore arguing and later hearing a single shot. Why was she outside peering into the window? Why has she not come forth with this info previously? As you know I have read a lot about George and his death and never heard her mentioned. I do remember seeing her as one of the people thanked by J.A. Henderson in the preface to his book. He certainly didn't mention her story. A few more questions directed to her would have been interesting i.e.. What were her husbands comments about the evening of George's death? He was an eyewitness. I have never seen any comments from him.

I know you tend to disagree but I go along with Whit's observation that George was under medication for a recent auto accident plus drinking heavily. Alcohol mixed with many medications can act as a powerful depressant. No conspiracy here just a tragic loss that may have been prevented by knowing the dangers of mixing alcohol and other drugs.

Michael Ramey

Jim,
My brother taped the 20/20 segment, and I just finished watching it. I guess for those with only a passing interest in George Reeves, it was just fine. It gave a summary of the series and its stars, visited Metropolis, showed scenes from Stamp Day for Superman, the only segment in public domain, and then went zap for June 16, 1959. It presenting all or most of the death scenarios and then summed it all up by acknowledging that no one will ever really know exactly what happened that night. It was reasonably even handed, but provided nothing new to anyone with any real knowledge of the subject. Mr. Sparks was interesting, but we already knew about the argument at the restaurant. Mrs. Bliss, while looking rather spry for 90, provided nothing more about why her husband was over there in the first place. She must have been curious: she saw the fight between George and Lenore through the window, and then later heard the fatal shot, but never really related what she was looking for, and what I wanted to know -- who was William Bliss, and what the heck was he really doing on the evening in question?

The autopsy photos with the bruises were a bit much, but I think Jay Henderson could have eliminated the picture of George in his casket from his book, too. All such material, take away a little more dignity of a man I admired, and who has been stripped enough.

All that said, I think a mention of Myasthenia Gravis would have been a nice touch. I would have liked to seen some of the Kellogs comercials, and more interviews with George's pals to let me know new sides to the man could have been fun. Jack Larson does a great interview, and looks great, but I fear he has done so many of these type shows, his answers are scripted by now. I know he must have more stories to share about the living George Reeves.

Timothy James

Jim,
I'm always interested in any show that's going to feature something about George. I'm especially interested if that show touts itself as having "a different perspective" as this one did, on issues it broadcasts. For the most part, all I saw were the same facts (and not all of them either!), watered down by the booze that Hollywood Kryptonite (excuse me, that's Kraptonite) poured over the subject. I might sound a bit two faced after my last comment, when I say there were parts that I liked in the segment. I'll mention those first since they will take less time.

I always enjoy seeing Noel and Jack talk about George and the show. I'd watch anything if they were included. It was also nice to see Jan Henderson talking about George. Henderson, rather than Schoenberger, should have been the featured expert. It was interesting to hear comments by Mr. Sparks and the widow of William Bliss. Finally, like the photo on page 155 of Speeding Bullet, it was morbidly interesting, yet disturbing, to see the autopsy photos. That is pretty much all of the positives to the show.

The negatives can be summed up in five words.. Nancy Schoenberger and Hollywood Kryptonite. This might as well have been a mini teleplay of Hollywood Kryptonite, with Schoenberger as the narrator. It sickened me to see her be given the lead as a self proclaimed "expert" by virtue of the tabloid style book she co-wrote. Her arrogant know-it-all manner was aggravating and over all, proved you really can fit ten pounds of manure into a five pound bag. I also take great exception to the antics of Bill "you call this guy a reporter" Ritter. The way he sparred with Schoenberger over the names Toni Mannix could have...would have...should have... did call Lenore Lemmon, was below even the journalistic debauchery of the Weekly World News and their "Mummy Comes to Life And Talks!" type of stories. Ritter and Schoenberger almost seemed to enjoy the name calling part above and beyond the shock value. Someone should tell them there are 900 numbers they can call for that type of entertainment.

Above and beyond those issues, the entire segment was lacking in several respects. It was obviously slanted to the opinion of Shoenberger's book, as it used the "drunk and suicidal" theory while downplaying, or out and out ignoring, other theories and facts. Nothing was ever mentioned about the trajectory of the bullet. Likewise it was not mentioned that the bullet was lodged in the ceiling, meaning that George would have had his head turned at an angle. There was also no mention of the empty shell casing under the body.

The show also missed the mark with Jan Bliss. We know there is a certain amount of controversy surrounding Bill Bliss' presence at George's house that night. All we heard was a short clip of her telling what she saw and heard that night. Why wasn't she asked any of the things that needed to be asked? Things like "why did Bill go over there that night?" "To your knowledge was Bill involved in any type of conspiracy to kill George Reeves?" "What did Bill tell you about the events of that night?" And most important, "Do you know who killed George Reeves?" Jan Bliss is perhaps the last living direct link to anyone inside George's house that night, and to have not asked any direct questions is tantamount to destroying evidence. 20/20 Downtown really blew it with this one.

I also wonder just how many real pathology experts beyond Dr. Lovell 20/20 actually talked to. I find it difficult to believe that any substantial group of doctor's (more than say a total of two or three) in that field, would unanimously conclude that the case was a suicide, without the slightest possibility that it was anything else. I'm sorry, but I just don't believe it. I do however believe that 20/20 delivered "the answer" that would impress their audience.

Too much of the segment, specifically those parts with Schoenberger seemed more like an orchestrated Jerry Springer show. Overall, I'd have to say that 20/20's "new perspective", is one of tunnel vision. I think they truly did George and his fans an injustice. I wonder what Noel and Jack really thought of the show.

I guess I didn't realize just how upset I am over the bad producing of this segment until I started writing about it. Sorry Jim if I prattled on too long. I hope someday, someone produces at least a one hour show about George that talks about him, his life, the show, and his co-stars. Almost like a video version of TAC. Just a crazy thought, but if money could be raised for the Variety ad then... Hmmm.

Ty Klein