TAC, Jr. #11
From the publisher of The Adventures Continue
www.jimnolt.com

TAC, Jr. #11 - Monday, September 1, 1997

Contents:
1) FILMFAX LOOKS AT HK
2) SPELL CHECK
3) CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE
4) 43 YEARS AGO TODAY
5) PHOTO OP
6) NOEL'S BIRTHDAY
7) FAVORITE SCENES PAGE
8) READ AND REID... ARE THEY THE SAME?

1) FILMFAX LOOKS AT HK -
Last week I picked up a copy of Filmfax #62 (August/September, 1997). In its
Cinema SourceBook column, Ralph Schiller reviews Hollywood Kryptonite. Like
so many others, Mr. Schiller was not impressed by the authors' "research."
According to Mr. Schiller, "... this so-called 'non-fictional' account of
the mysterious death of George Reeves comes as a great disappointment."
After reading Jan Alan Henderson's Speeding Bullet, Mr. Schiller discovered
that "Hollywood Kryptonite relies heavily on Henderson's writings" but
"distorts much of Henderson's carefully presented research to conform to a
pre- conceived thesis." "With no real evidence then, Hollywood Kryptonite
presents a largely fictional account of Reeves' final hours that is more
suitable for a 'What If?' comic book than a volume purporting to solve a
decades-old mystery." He concludes by writing that immediately after Reeves'
death "the law didn't look very closely at the events of that evening, ....
One could say the same things about Hollywood Kryptonite."

2) SPELL CHECK -
It was recently brought to my attention by Bill Rupprecht of Ventura,
California that a spelling error exists at the end of the 1954 season
episodes (the first color season). If you look, you will see that the sound
on these episodes was recorded by Ryder Sound Sevices. Of course, who am I
to throw stones? Even with today's spell check feature I still make spelling
errors.

3) CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE -
In TAC, Jr. #10, Michael Hayde posed several questions concerning the
credits to many of the first-season shows. In part he wrote:

As for "Human Bomb," Dennis Moore was supposed to play Conway (Krugman's
part in "Bomb") and is in the credits, but in fact, it was Lou Krugman who
appeared as Conway (and as the lumberjack in "Ghost Wolf").

Only a short time after I sent out that issue, Tom Chenevert of Dunstable,
Massachusetts replied with this:

Dennis Moore should be in the credits of "Human Bomb." After all, he was the
uniformed officer who came in with Marshall Reed. Moore is familiar to me
because he appeared in a lot of westerns.

I forwarded Tom's message to Michael, and a few days later I received this
response:

Oops! I messed up there. I plead ignorance, as I'm not much of a western
fan. I also plead stupidity, since it is Gary Grossman's book (large
edition) which credits Dennis Moore in the role of Conway. The book also
credits Ted Ryan as Officer Riley, the role which Moore actually played.

--------------------

RILEY: Please Inspector, let me take a couple of boys out on the ledge and
grab that guy.
HILL: Not now, Riley. Maybe later.

--------------------

Had I looked a little more closely at the call sheet, I would have noticed
that Moore is listed for Riley, and that Ted Ryan and Lou Lubin played the
henchmen committing the museum robbery.

--------------------

MAN #1: You get it?
MAN #2: Sure, now move over.
(Sound of spinning tires)
MAN #!: Come on let's go. Get goin'.
MAN #2: Something's wrong.
MAN #1 Well put her in gear.
MAN #2: I've got her in gear.
MAN #1: But we ain't movin'.
MAN #2: The wheels are spinning, Can't you hear them?
(They look out back window)
Man #2: Superman!
(They run, but Superman punches MAN #2 and then picks up the little guy and
carries him back to the car.)
SUPERMAN: All right boys, there's a police station right around the corner.
The sergeant'll be very happy to give you both free room and board.

Later, back in Kent's office Deputy Inspector Hill and Riley, enter with
Butler.
HILL: Hey, do you know who this crazy loon is? He's Bet-A-Million Butler.
He'll bet on anything.
(Lois confronts Butler)
LOIS: Now it's my turn to blow up!
(Slaps Butler across the face)
BUTLER: Ooooomph!
HILL: Well, we can take him down to headquarters now, Riley. And we don't
have to pamper him on the way!

--------------------

The call sheet does not list the role of Conway at all. Based on other
examples, this means that his scene was not in the original script. That's
pretty strange, considering the bet between Conway and Butler sets up the
entire scenario. On the other hand, the situation is pretty well explained
during the course of the episode, and it certainly would have been in
keeping with the "mystery" theme if the show had started with Butler walking
in, handcuffing Lois, and escorting her to the ledge. Does anyone have a
copy of the script for "The Human Bomb?"

4) 43 YEARS AGO TODAY -
On September 1, 1954 George Reeves, Sonia Henie, and Joan Crawford attended
the Hollywood premiere of The Egyptian starring Jean Simmons, Victor Mature,
and Gene Tierney. Be sure to check the www.jimnolt.com/cal.htm for other
important dates in September.

5) PHOTO OP
In a previous issue of TAC, Jr., I wrote about the possibility of making
personally autographed photos of Noel, Phyllis, and Jack available to
readers of The Adventures Continue. I had discussed the idea with Jack, and
at the time he said he'd do whatever he could to help the magazine. However,
after again talking with both Jack and Noel, I have changed my mind. They
mentioned to me that they have never charged any fan for a photograph - nor
has Jack ever taken payment for making a personal appearance. (In fact, when
Jack attended the Superman Festival in Metropolis in 1996, he donated to the
fund-raising efforts that week.) And so, as we spoke, I was reminded of one
of the reasons for the existence of The Adventures Continue, the web site,
and this newsletter - to thank all those involved, especially George Reeves,
for the years of enjoyment they have already given to us. We should not be
asking them for more. Instead, it is we who should be looking for ways to
give back to them.

In 1989 the readers of The Adventures Continue supported a full-page
memorial tribute to George Reeves commemorating the 30th anniversary of his
death. I think it would now be fitting to do something which would highlight
the entire cast. Reader Marc Levenson and I have been in discussion on this.
Marc feels that perhaps we can get People Magazine or Entertainment Weekly
to do a story on our efforts to honor the series. We'll be looking into this
and other ideas in the coming months. If you have any suggestions, please
let me know.

In the meantime you may still receive personally autographed photos from
Jack, Noel, and Phyllis by sending your requests to The Adventures Continue.
Put each photo in a stamped envelope with JACK LARSON, NOEL NEILL, or
PHYLLIS COATES on the front. Be sure to include a self-addressed envelope
with correct return postage. Do not seal any of the envelopes. Mail the
entire contents to The Adventures Continue, and I'll forward the photographs
at no additional charge. It may take some time, but you should eventually
receive a reply. [Note: Autographed photos are no longer available
through The Adventures Continue. jln 12/26/2000]

6) NOEL'S BIRTHDAY -
Noel Neill will turn 77 on November 24. This could be an extra special day
for her if all readers of The Adventures Continue and TAC, Jr. would send a
card or two. In fact, it would be great if you got your wife, husband,
children, grandchildren, girlfriend, boyfriend, mother, father, neighbor,
boss, and second cousin twice removed to send one. Wouldn't it be wonderful
to see Noel's face when, like Jimmy Olsen in "The Wedding of Superman," her
mail carrier delivers bags of cards to her address. If you are interested in
this project, please put your birthday card in a stamped envelope with
Noel's name on the front. Put that in another envelop and mail it to The
Adventures Continue so I can forward it to her. Please try to have all cards
to me by November 1.

7) FAVORITE SCENES PAGE -
Last week I added a new page to my web site. The Favorite Scenes page will
include photos and dialogue from episodes of the Adventures of Superman and
will change approximately every month. First up are my favorite scenes from
"A Ghost For Scotland Yard." (Here I am, Sir Arthur. Here I am.)

8) READ AND REID... ARE THEY THE SAME? -
I was recently rereading the article by Pat Ellsworth Wilson in The
Adventures Continue ("It Was Fun Growing Up With Superman" TAC #7, Spring
1992). On page 45 Pat wrote:

My father often named the characters in the "Superman" Sunday page stories
after my classmates at Riverside School. This sent my friends into fits of
ecstasy - but on occasion it gave our local physician quite a turn. Dr.
Frank Read was far away in the Laurentian Mountains on a fishing trip,
hoping for a complete escape from the hometown scene. His hope was shattered
one day when he glanced down at the comics pages wrapped around his fish:
What should leap out at him but the names Betty Braley and Tom Richey, two
of my best friends and two of his most boisterous little patients.

I had read this narrative many times, but only this time the name "Dr. Read"
strike a chord:

SUPERINTENDENT: That man in the costume...
KENT: Superman.
SUPERINTENDENT: He had no right to bring that... monstrosity in here... And
you, Dr. Reid, had no right to admit it without my authorization.
DR. REID: I'm sorry, sir, but...
KENT: You can't blame Dr. Reid. It was an emergency.
SUPERINTENDENT: Young man, I'm running this hospital. Get that thing out of
here immediately!
KENT: It's been shot. It might even be dying. You wouldn't treat a dog like
that!
SUPERINTENDENT: This is not a dog hospital. Well I'm leaving now, but I'll
be back in the morning. Don't let me find that thing here or there'll be
trouble.
(Superintendent exits)
KENT: The milk of human kindness.
NURSE: But really, it isn't human!
DR. REID: But how do we know?
KENT: That's just right... how do we know? Doctor, would you remove the
bullet from its chest?
DR. REID: How can I, Mr. Kent, if it's radioactive? I don't dare get near
it. (Sudden thought) Wait a minute! The lead screen we use in radiotherapy!
Miss Ronson...
NURSE: Oh no, you don't get me in that operating room?
DR. REID: I'll need an assistant.
KENT: I'll assist. Come on.

Later, outside the hospital...
LOIS: I never thought I'd live to see anything like this.
(Mob advances up the street)
BENSON: Get her out of the way Corrigan, before she gets hurt.
LOIS: Mr. Corrigan doesn't have to get me out of the way. I'll get out of
the way myself if I feel like it... but I just don't feel like it!
(Benson grabs Lois' wrist)
LOIS: Take your filthy...
(Corrigan comes to Lois' aid and is struck by Benson)
LOIS: Why you dirty coward.
BENSON: (To his men) Get her out of the way.
(Superman emerges from the hospital)
SUPERMAN: Don't even try to get in there, Benson. Dr. Reid's in charge
tonight... he's left orders that no one's to be admitted.
(Crowd noises)
BENSON: There's your answer, mister.
SUPERMAN: It may be an answer to you... it means nothing to me.
WEBER: Yeah?... we're running this town... we oughta string you up too!
(Crowd noises... Superman holds hospital door open so Corrigan can be taken
in. Lois stands by Superman's side.)
SUPERMAN: Are you all right, Miss Lane?
(Lois nods)
BENSON: You gonna step aside, or do we have to make trouble?
WEBER: Put some lead in him, Luke.
SUPERMAN: Mr. Benson tried that once already. It didn't work. Now I'm going
to give you one last chance to stop acting like Nazi storm troopers.
BENSON: Who are you to tell us what to do?
SUPERMAN: All I'm telling you is that that little creature in there has as
much right to live as you do. Don't forget, you invaded his world! You sank
a pipe six miles into the ground. When he climbed up you set dogs on him...
shot him.
(Shot is fired into the hospital door)
SUPERMAN: (To Lois) Get inside and stay away from the front of the building.
(Turning to crowd) Whoever fired that shot came close to killing Miss Lane.
Obviously none of you can be trusted with guns, so I'm going to take them
away from you.

I wondered if this Dr. Reid could be named after the Ellsworth's family
doctor, so I wrote to Pat. Last week she confirmed my suspicions: Yes, Dr.
Reid was named to honor our own family doctor, Dr. Frank Read. My father
would sometimes change the spellings, sometimes not.

So, there you have yet another inside story.

-----
The Adventures Continue . . .
. . .with George Reeves