TAC, Jr. #15
From the publisher of The Adventures Continue

Monday, January 5, 1998

Happy New Year to you one and all! Please read this newsletter carefully for
a chance to win a free copy of TAC #15 when it's published.

1) JANUARY 5, 1914
2) 1998 GEORGE REEVES CALENDARS
3) DENVER PYLE
4) HOLLYWOOD HAUNTINGS
5) AH, THAT BEAUTIFUL CAPE . . . WHAT A SOUVENIR THAT WOULD MAKE
6) JOHN'S SUPER TRIVIA
7) THE BIRTHDAY LETTER
8) HOLD PAGE ONE FOR A REPLATE

1) JANUARY 5, 1914
On January 5, 1914 George Keefer Brewer was born in Woolstock, Iowa to Helen
Lescher and Don Brewer. The marriage didn't last long, and sometime later,
Helen and George moved to Pasadena, California. Exactly when remains
somewhat of a mystery, but we do know that George spent much of his youth on
the west coast. There is also a mystery concerning George's last name during
these years. Soon after moving to California, Helen married Frank Bessolo
who later adopted George. However, a contract with Warner Bros. Pictures,
Inc. dated May 31, 1939 is signed by George Brewer. The contract notes that
he is known professionally as George Bessolo. The name "Reeves" appeared for
the first time in the credits of Gone With The Wind.

The next issue of The Adventures Continue will feature photographs of young
George with his stepfather Frank Bessolo.

2) 1998 GEORGE REEVES CALENDARS
Because I know that sometimes people forget to place their orders, I did
print up just a few extra copies of the 1998 George Reeves calendar. If you
didn't order one but would like one now, please ask me for an order form.

I had intended to ship the calendars by December 1 and missed it by only a
week, so I don't feel too bad. And from the notes I've received so far,
those who purchased a calendar found the extra week worth their wait. Here
are a few examples:

Mark Rothberg: What I superb job you did on the 1998 calendar--you really
out did yourself this time. All the history that is on the calendar and the
supplement - it must have taken years to collect. A truly exceptional piece
of work. Let me wish you and your family the very best for the holiday
season, have a Merry Christmas.

Jesse Groth: Just wanted to let you know how impressive this year's calendar
is. The art easily among Randy's best. The chronology supplement is a great
complement to the calendar notes. And the "Action," "Adventure," and
"Mystery" inserts in the artwork wonderfully evoke the feeling of the
Adventures of Superman coming attraction clips.

Thomas Boud: You definitely went one better with the 1998 Adventures
Continue calendar. I like the larger size drawings depicting our All Time
Ace of Action in some of his finest moments. I also love the "Action,
Adventure, Mystery" captions. In all, Randy did a superb job, especially in
capturing George's classic "take-no prisoners" straight jaw mug.

Brad Shey: I can't believe how detailed the information is....and the
artwork is incredible! Please send Randy my compliments. You have really
outdone yourself. I gave the calendar to my brother as a gift and he
couldn't believe it either. It is truly a one of a kind keepsake. I wish you
and Gail a Merry Christmas and a "Super" New Year!

3) DENVER PYLE
Denver Pyle died on Thursday, December 25, in Burbank, California. Pyle was
born in Bethune, Colorado and attended Colorado State University. In 1940 he
joined the Navy and was wounded off Guadalcanal in WWII. He received a
medical discharge in 1942. Pyle later worked his way into acting and
appeared in his first film in 1947, later appearing on many television shows
from the 1950s to the 1980s. Probably his two most famous roles were as
Briscoe Darling on The Andy Griffith Show and as Uncle Jesse on The Dukes of
Hazard. Pyle made one appearance on the Adventures of Superman, that of
Emile Hatch in "Beware The Wrecker" in 1953.

In a shack near the carnival grounds. Jimmy holds a rifle on Emile Hatch.

Jimmy: You're wasting your time. There's nothing in that package but blank
paper.
Hatch: Who are you, and how'd you get in here?
Lois: We saw where you hid the key. We looked for you in the park, but then
you did your traveling underground.
Hatch: I don't know what you're talking about.
Lois: Don't give us that. There's the package you got away with. There's a
tapped phone wire outside leading in here. These model airplanes speak for
themselves. You're the Wrecker all right.

Phone rings.
Jimmy: Who's that?
Hatch: (Shrugging) There's one way to find out.
Lois: Answer it, Jim. Watch what you're saying.

Jimmy picks up the phone.
Jimmy: Who is it?
Voice: You know very well who it is, Hatch. Did you get that package?
Jimmy: Yes.
Voice: Then hold onto it. I'll be there shortly.

Jimmy hangs up the phone.
Lois: Who was it?
Jimmy: You got me, Miss Lane. But we're soon going to have company.
Lois: Good, the more the merrier. Take that wire and tie up this character.
We'll let Clark in on the finale.

A short time later back at the carnival...
Clark: Where have you two been? I've been worried sick about you.
Lois: Well, it took us a little longer than we expected to a... capture the
Wrecker.
Clark: To what?
Jimmy: We got him hogtied in a shack just outside the carnival grounds.
Clark: No! You left him alone! Well come on he might get away.

At the shack they find Emile Hatch dead.
Clark: That's exactly what I was afraid of . . . someone got to him after
you left.
Lois: And killed the Wrecker.
Clark: Now wait a minute, Lois. If this man was the Wrecker then who killed
him? Come on.

You can see a tribute to DENVER PYLE at www.jimnolt.com/Pyle.htm.

4) HOLLYWOOD HAUNTINGS
Michael Ramey reported in TAC, Jr. #13 that several photos of George Reeves
were included in "Hollywood Hauntings" on The Learning Channel in October.
Steve Jensen checked with TLC to see if it would be repeated, and he
received the following reply:

Viewer Relations
12/23/97 03:06 PM
You may be referring to the program "Hauntings Across America." This
episode is scheduled to repeat Jan. 28th at 9pm and 12mid ET on TLC.

The title is different from what Michael Ramey reported, but as I recall,
Mike was not absolutely certain of the title. In any event, it might be
worth checking out.

5) AH, THAT BEAUTIFUL CAPE . . . WHAT A SOUVENIR THAT WOULD MAKE
Obtaining and selling souvenirs proved far too dangerous for Mr. Willy,
(You're absolutely right, far too dangerous!) but other people continue to
buy and trade such items every day. This from a recent AP article by Chris
Olert:

NEW YORK (AP) - Not quite as fast as a speeding bullet, but still pretty
quick, a surprise bidder flagged a taxi cab and rushed to Sotheby's auction
house on Saturday just in the nick of time to buy Superman's cape. Swedish
computer executive Stefan Hallin only heard about the Hollywood and rock 'n'
roll memorabilia auction that morning while watching television during
breakfast in his Manhattan hotel room. He "rushed into a cab and got here in
time, fortunately,"' Hallin said after bidding $17,000 for the Superman cape
Christopher Reeve wore in the 1978 film. He also bought the maroon Star
Fleet uniform jacket William Shatner wore in the 1982 film, "Star Trek II:
The Wrath of Khan."' The price tag: $11,000. The 28-year-old from Gothenburg
joked that he may wear the Superman cape as "a robe in the morning."
Superman's cape had been given as a prize for a contest sponsored by DC
Comics.

6) JOHN'S SUPER TRIVIA
For years John O'Neill has kindly traveled from Philadelphia to Lancaster to
help me get issues of The Adventures Continue packaged and mailed whenever a
new issue is ready to go. As we work, we naturally talk about the series,
George, and the other cast members. I've watched each episode of Superman
many times, yet John is always able to point out something I missed. He
recently e-mailed me a list of his latest observations and questions. I'll
include a few of them here.

a) Look for the NBC radio and television studios in "Czar of the
Underworld."
b) Is that a black woman in the 1951 opening credits? (Look at the last
person on the top right of the screen?)
c) Watch Superman knock Luigi Dinelli's head against the wall when he brings
him back to the studio. (Of course, Anthony Caruso's stand-in didn't really
mind since it was a dummy George was carrying.)

And here's the one that amazed me the most -

d) Let's join Clark as he, Henderson and Olsen look through the mugs shots
in "Shot In The Dark."

Henderson: I've seen that face somewhere before. If I can only find it in
this mug book.
Kent: There he is.
Henderson: That's it. Burt Burnside, alias "The Tulip."
Kent: Well you seem to know all about him.
Henderson: Sure I know all about him . . . he's dead.
Kent: Hmm?
Olsen: Then he's got an awfully healthy ghost!
Kent: He's right, we've both seen him.
Henderson: Maybe you two better take a vacation. As far as I'm concerned,
he's dead. This picture coulda been taken five years ago.
Kent: Hmm-uuu. No Bill, not this one, look. See this playbill behind there?
Advertising Molly and Me? This is a brand new play . . . just opened in
Metropolis two weeks ago . . . for the first time.
Henderson: Well if that's his picture, he's still alive.
Kent: What can you tell me about him, Bill. I mean before all this.
Henderson: Well, he used to be a pretty good con man . . . mostly in the
insurance game.
Jimmy: (With a big smile) I don't think I like his policy.
Kent: (Cough, cough)
Henderson: Looks like he's still at it too. He was insured for fifty
thousand dollars payable to his two partners.
Kent: And they both collected?
Henderson: Sure. Body turns up beside Highway 12 . . . Burt's body. Hit and
run the coroner says.
Kent: Hmm, double indemnity.
Henderson: Two times fifty, a hundred thousand dollars. Company pays off.
Olsen: And the guy isn't even dead.
Henderson: But somebody else is, Jim. That body beside the roadside wasn't
any department store dummy.
Kent: What are you going to do, Bill.
Henderson: I'm going to put out an all points on those three characters.
Kent: No, let me handle this.
Henderson: I can't do it, Kent. Those men are killers.
Kent: Just give me twenty-four hours. I've never let you down before, have
I?
Henderson: I'll give you half of that. But be careful.
Kent: Thanks.
Olsen: Ah, it shouldn't take a man like Mr. Kent even that long
Kent: Come along, junior.

Now go back and look again at the mug shots just after Clark says "There he
is." The person who e-mails me first with the name of the scoundrel whose
picture appears to the left of Burt's picture, gets a free copy of TAC #15
when it's published.

7) THE BIRTHDAY LETTER
According to the 1998 George Reeves calendar, January 15 is Phyllis Coates'
71st birthday. I can't believe anyone would want to pass up this opportunity
to send birthday greetings to the first television Lois Lane and to bring a
smile to that beautiful face. But you can't wait much longer to get your
cards to me. I'll be mailing them on Sunday, January 11. That should give
the post office plenty of time deliver them to Phyllis by Thursday -
assuming, of course, that Burt Burnside and his men don't hold up the early
truck to the valley again. And while we're talking birthdays, don't forget
that Jack's is February 8 (that leaves no time for yet another reminder in
TAC, Jr. #16). Send your Phyllis and Jack birthday cards to me (with proper
postage affixed) today.

8) HOLD PAGE ONE FOR A REPLATE
There's some good news for those of you who crave information about George
Reeves. For some time now Jan Alan Henderson has been considering doing a
re-write of Speeding Bullet (see http://www.jimnolt.com/reading.htm). This
weekend when I spoke with Jan he told me that he has decided to move forward
with the project. In fact, he has almost finished the manuscript now
tentatively titled Heroes Never Die: The Life and Times of George Reeves.
I'll keep you informed of Jan's progress in future issues of TAC, Jr.

TAC, Jr. #15 (a)

Tuesday, January 6, 1998

1) EVE MCVEAGH GORDON
2) CALENDAR PRAISE FROM SOMEONE SPECIAL

1) Yesterday, soon after I sent out TAC, Jr. #15 I received news of the
death of yet another Superman player -- Eve McVeagh (Gordon) -- who died
last month at the age of 78. McVeagh was born in Ohio in 1919 and moved to
California in 1923 where she became interested in acting. The early 1940s
found her worked on Broadway and radio. In her first film, High Noon (1952),
she received co-starring credits and later appeared in such films as The
Graduate and Airplane. She appeared in many televisions shows including The
Red Skelton Show, I Love Lucy, Dragnet, Bonanza, and Hill Street Blues, and
taught acting at The Film Actors Workshop at Warner Brothers Studios. Eve
McVeagh is survived by her husband of 41 years and four sons. Viewers of the
Adventures of Superman will remember her as Johnny Wilson's mother in "The
Stolen Elephant."

In the Wilson's back yard by the barn.
Johnny: Mom, Mom, here he comes.

Whoooosh, Superman lands.
Superman: Hello, Johnny. Clark Kent seemed to think this could be pretty
important. So do I.

Mrs. Wilson comes from the house.
Johnny: This is my mom.

Superman: How do you do, Mrs. Wilson.

Mrs. Wilson: At the moment, I really don't know.

Superman: Well, can you tell me exactly what's been happening?

Johnny: Well, we found Susie in the barn, and then the men came and took her
away. They even showed me the elephant registration.

Superman: They showed you an elephant registration?

Johnny: Yeah. I even remember the numbers on it. It was J24-Y97.

Superman: I hope that may make some sense later on. Could you identify these
men if you saw them again?

Johnny: Sure, I'd know 'em anywhere.

Superman: Good. (Turning to Mrs. Wilson) Mrs. Wilson, do you suppose you
could take Johnny into town and leave him with Mr. Haley at the circus? I
think we may need him a little later for identification of these thieves.

Mrs. Wilson: Oh course, Superman. I think Johnny would enjoy that more than
a movie anyway.

Johnny: Golly, we're gonna get Susie back.

Superman: Well, let's hope so Johnny. Right now will you excuse me.

Superman runs along the outside fence and leaps into the air.

Johnny: Imagine, we were really talking to Superman.

Mrs. Wilson: So it seems. Well, I guess we'd better get tidied up . . . see
if we can get that old jalopy started.

2) CALENDAR PRAISE FROM SOMEONE SPECIAL
Yesterday's mail brought these special words of praise for the 1998
calendar. The letter read in part:

Thank you so much for the calendar and always for The Adventures Continue.
You are a dear, and I know George would thank you!

May 1998 be the very best for you and yours.

Sincerely,
Ellanora Reeves Rose

(Ellanora and George were married from 1940 - 1950.)

TAC, Jr. #15 (b)

1) JERRY SEINFELD, SUPERMAN, AND JACK LARSON
2) . . . AND YOU'VE GOT YOURSELF A DIAMOND

1) JERRY SEINFELD, SUPERMAN, AND JACK LARSON
Be on the lookout for the new commercial Jerry Seinfeld is doing for
American Express which will see its debut during the NFL playoff on Sunday,
January 11. Most of you probably know that Jerry is a Superman fan, and this
commercial finds him walking down a Metropolis street with an animated
Superman by his side.

Superman: I mean it's not like I asked to be famous. I just want to do what
I do.
Jerry: Yeah, well, it's the price you pay.
Superman: You sing a lot of autographs?
Jerry: Oh, yeah. You?
Superman: Some. They ask me to bend stuff a lot.

Suddenly, Superman, Jerry, and American Express come to the aid of Lois
Lane. The good part . . . at least for us fans of the Adventures of Superman
with sharp eyes . . . will be to spot our own Jimmy Olsen, Jack Larson,
watching all this from across the street.

So don't miss it . . . there's Action! Adventure! and Mystery! in the next
exciting American Express commercial coming this weekend!

[Thanks to Bobby Ryan for the tip off.]

2) . . . AND YOU'VE GOT YOURSELF A DIAMOND
For those of you who plan to visit the American Museum of Natural History in
New York between now and April 26, be sure to check out an exhibit called
"The Nature of Diamonds." This exhibit features the video clip from the
Adventures of Superman showing Clark squeezing the piece of coal into a
diamond.

Clark: Hey, is this coal.
Dr. Harper: Yes, I've run onto a little of it around here. Coal... carbon...
put it under a million tons of pressure for a thousand years and you've got
a diamond. Huh, how we could use a diamond. It's hard to believe sometimes
that coal and diamonds are made of the same substance.

[Thanks to Francine Fleischer for this scoop of news.]

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