Why Do You Love George Reeves?

George Reeves filled a gap in tumultuous times for me as a very young boy. He was all I had for happiness and imagination in the late fifties. More questions arose for me in the early to mid 60's when I not only saw him as Superman but in other genres. It birthed something in me. I needed to find out more about him and searched in libraries and bookstores. Of course, that only frustrated me until I found Serial to Cereal by Gary Grossman in 1976. You see, something got into my soul about George at a very young age, and I could never shake it.

Every time a Superman Marathon would come on, I was glued to the tube, just like a little kid! When I was in college in the early 80's in Los Angeles, and fortunate enough to live in Pasadena, I was restless one night, and decided to take a stroll over to the "Pasadena Playhouse." The experience was very ethereal for me. I have loved George Reeves since 1958. I love him now! I always will. Why do you?

Carl Glass

I didn’t realize how much I have always liked George Reeves until a few years ago. Here is my story.

I am 45 years old and I grew up watching re-runs of “The Adventures of Superman” in the 1960’s and early 70s. I liked the show and the cast as a kid but never gave it much thought at the time as to why. As the decades went by the show was re-run much less often but whenever it did air I found myself watching.

Still I had not given it much thought as to why I was so drawn to the show. More years go by and I had not seen the show in a long time when I heard that it was going to be released on DVD. I was quite surprised by how excited I became upon hearing this news.

My wife and I watched all 104 episodes on DVD with greater appreciation for George and the cast than ever before. I began searching the Internet for information about George (I knew a little already but wanted more). I found this great website among others that are dedicated to George and the show. I bought the old 1976 Superman book written by Gary Grossman.

I have now bought and watched other old shows that the cast had starred in. So even though I have always loved the cast and show, it was not until I reached my forties did I happen to contemplate and realize that I liked George Reeves so much.

We all know George was a great guy and that certainly came through in his performances. His Superman/Clark Kent was noble and sacrificial. He had Strength and Gentleness, Justice and Mercy, Authority and Humility. And as my wife says, he had a great laugh and smile. No other Superman shows/portrayals have ever come close to what George and cast were able to do in “The Adventures of Superman”.

I love the format of the show and the chemistry of the cast. I love both Lois Lanes. I love the opening and closing sequences with the cool outer space background and the incredible dialogue and music. Even the announcer is great! I love George’s run and jump flight take off. I love the sound effects. Well, you get the picture.

Thanks George for the great childhood memories I have of watching you on TV and thanks for the continued enjoyment that you have given me throughout the years.

Dennis Jenkins

I remember a certain blink in time, when I began to realize that I was an existing someone. That would be around five years old. We, my parents and I, lived in Hawthorne, CA. My father had bought our first television around 1955. I remember it so well, because my father made me hold up this outside antennae inside the house (which I thought was strange even as a five year old). My father use to raise his voice at me a lot, when he was home. I can remember that much about him from my childhood memory bank. I was so relieved when he left for work (or where ever he’d go).

When he wasn’t there I’d turn on the television and there was The Adventures of Superman. I hadn’t quite grasped the idea that television was all acting yet. That first impression never left me. Here was this person who was so nice and kind in his regular clothes then…POP…he changes into these underclothes with pants and a black sheet tied to him and he becomes this very strong man. I envisioned him plopping down out of the sky and taking care of my father when he was so bad to me!

At the time, I didn’t know that his name was George Reeves of course. I thought it was two people instead of one. I didn’t get to see the series for a long time after we left California for Texas. However, kept remembering how nice the man in the suit and hat was. When he changed into the Superman suit, I didn’t recognize him at all! Being young, I just didn’t get it. I was just so fascinated and obsessed with this person who could be so good!

I started watching the series once again in 1959. I watched the show repeatedly until I had every show watched four or five times. I never got tired of the show. In 1962, my grandfather died and it was devastating. In the same year, someone finally told me that George Reeves-Superman had shot himself. A double devastation. The two people I loved the most were gone.

I have now just completed watching the first season episodes. As a child I loved Superman and as an adult I’m able to see why. George’s acting ability made the role convincing and realistic to children and adults alike. There’s not enough words to express the gratitude I have towards George for being the role model for who I am today. Good, honest, kind, and proud of it! It may have been a fictional show, but it helped to mold my life and I’m sure it did the same for others. I love George because he gave me the father figure I needed in my childhood. Thank you George, wherever you are today.

Larry C. Pierce

I was born in 1956 so I first saw George Reeves as Superman in the reruns. In those days, we had a black and white TV set. I remember going to my grandmother's house to see The Adventures of Superman in color for the first time. I still remember the opening lines.

My Dad wore glasses and he is my hero so Superman was always my favorite superhero and George Reeves will always be Superman to me. I wanted eyeglasses so I could whip them off like Clark Kent and be transformed.

George's Clark Kent was clever, funny and generous. I didn't know he had died until I was in high school and it was devastating.

I remember seeing Gone With the Wind at the movie theatre and realizing that George was in movies and was very talented. I saw him in The Strawberry Blonde with Jimmy Cagney and felt the same way. A few weeks ago, I saw a movie on TV in which he played a young guy who was running for mayor. He had the same easy charm and likeable manner.

I saw the episode of I Love Lucy when he came to Little Ricky's party as Superman. He had a grace and sense of fun and he looked like he was comfortable wherever he happened to be.

George Reeves will always be a hero to me. I have the CDs of the Superman seasons. I was happy to finally obtain the 1956 season in color which contains The Wedding of Superman.

I cried last night when I saw the movie, Hollywoodland. I felt like George had just died.

He was a wonderful actor, kind and generous. He deserves a memorial. I pray that he has found happiness and contentment.

Mary Roche

I am 29 years old and of course my generation grew up on the Christopher Reeve films of the late 1970s and 80s. But for me I was always disappointed by them, apart from the first one, they never attempted to introduce characters from the comics or portray Superman in a believable way. Also the scripts seemed to be quite terrible and clichéd.

But during the school summer holidays, sometime in the 1980s, they repeated some of the color episodes of The Adventures Of Superman and I was amazed by them. These half hour episodes were much more exciting and colorful than any of the tedious Chris Reeve films. I grew to love George Reeves and started to read bits and pieces about his life over the years. His death is unsolved and it's fascinating.

The episodes themselves here in Britain, were always virtually impossible to see. I was lucky enough to tape a few when I was a kid, episodes like Topsy Turvy, Crime Wave, and The Big Freeze. I now have all of the DVD boxed sets and always watch them. Even my girlfriend likes them!

George still appeals to us regardless of our age or lifestyle because he is a timeless hero who we desperately need in the world today—a figurehead of hope and rationality. Watching the episodes now, we can all relate to his speeches, his good humor and warm smile. Nice easy entertainment and escapism from the pressures of life. That juxtaposed with his troubled private life and shady death make him a compelling figure of 20th Century entertainment. He is the man!

Luke Forster—UK

Dear George,

When I was a small child a TV set was a new and exciting thing. My father always made sure that I was sitting in the floor ready to watch The Adventures of Superman. I was much to young to understand TV Guides and such things . You were real to me. You were really Superman. After the show went off, I got up, ran around the house, ran outside, arms out at my side soaring the clouds just like you. I didn't even know your name, only that you were Superman. When you died, someone said you jumped off a building and fell. It killed you. "How could that have happened?" I thought.

As the years went by, I grew up. I had forgotten about you because my mind looked to other things such as boyfriends and school and sports and other TV programs. Then one day while I was "surfing" (that's what we do on the computer...oh I have to tell you about the computer one day), I typed in your name and saw that other people still loved you as well.

We often talk about your death. We really don't know what happened to you. Your young fans are now working, sometimes stressed out adults. We would really like to know because even though some of us are now physicians, lawyers, musicians, policemen, nurses and a lot of professionals too numerous to list, we all miss you very much and remember those days when you made us so happy. We had no worries then George, no bills, no responsibilities except to do what our Moms and Dads told us to. You bring out the happy child in us as you can tell by the way I've written this letter. To this day, your death still hurts us all so deeply. We sincerely miss you and we will forever watch you as Superman until the day we die. But as adults, we also know and love the man...George Reeves.

I hope all the love that is here on earth for you George gets sent to you on the otherside.

With Love...Debbie K

I have just finished looking at the Glass House website, and I was very pleased. I am a forty-three year old house wife and Mother, and I have loved George Reeves ever since I was seven years old. Here is why; George's portrayal of Superman was symbolic of what ALL CHILDREN need in their lives...even more so today than back when...a HERO. Unfortunately, I was a victim of child abuse for many years, but I can tell you, as a child with a child's mind, I had hope in Superman. I believed that one day, Superman would swoop down and carry me off to a place where I could be a happy child and carefree. As it were, to be my Savior. It wasn’t until my twenties that I discovered that he essentially did just that; looking forward to him in the afternoons became by solace, my place where I was safe, my haven. He carried me through the worst of my childhood, by being the HERO that I needed. He let me know I could still dare to imagine and dream. And when he would look into that camera, and wink, as if it were an individual he was signaling, I always felt it was me. After being online most of the morning, I was shocked to discover that the Superman series has made it to DVD, that so many wonderful, precious people still love George, and that a Tribute to him is in the works. I think it is absolutely wonderful. Because of George, his optimism, his whole personality, I grew up to be a loving housewife to a Policeman and Mother to two beautiful children. I encourage my children to dream, to imagine, and to always have hopes. And I let them know, no matter what your age, you are NEVER too old or young to have a HERO. George Reeves will ALWAYS be mine. I love this website. God bless you for all you are putting into it. I believe George would be thrilled to feel all this love for him.

Sherri Collinsworth (Texas)

When I was old enough to watch TV in the mid '60s, Superman had already been in syndicated reruns for several years. It was my favorite show by far. I rarely missed an episode...for years! Next to my father, George Reeves was my hero. Whenever he winked at the camera at the end of some episodes it like he was winking right at me. I always smile at that. He was so convincing. My parents bought me a Superman uniform and I had fun playing Superman for hours. I'd also wear a shirt, tie, and glasses (real ones) and play Clark Kent as well. I just bought the DVD sets of Superman and I fell in love with the show all over again. As an adult, you can see it from another point of view and now I have even more appreciation for Reeves acting ability, as well as Phyllis Coates, Noel Neill, Jack Larson, John Hamilton and Robert Shayne, not to mention the writing. The stories were terrific. They didn't run out of great ideas.

I said this when the Christopher Reeve Superman movies came out and I'm saying it again now: I'll let everyone else see the latest incarnation of Superman. As far as I'm concerned, George Reeves was Superman and always will be. I hope wherever George is, he knows how much he's loved by millions…even after all these years. Thanks, George. You're the best.

Thanks for a great Website. I'll be spreading the word.
Josh Silverstein

Hey Carl: I've been meaning to send you one of these but never got around to it...until now.

I guess I don't fit the typical mold for many of the George fans here. I was born 7 years after his tragic death but as a child I was enthralled by The Adventures of Superman.

Growing up in the rural section of a small town, we were not able to get cable and could only tune in to Channels "3, 6, 10 and sometimes 12." I guess I was 8 or 9 when I realized it wasn't always "snowing" on Sesame Street. I did, however, spend a lot of time with my grandparents who lived in town and DID have cable. From the first time I saw a rerun of The Adventures of Superman on channel 9 from New York, I was hooked!

At that age, it was SO real to me. I remember swinging on a swing set and jumping off while in motion, pretending to be George flying and even trying to make the "landing" sound when I came tumbling to earth. (And yes, there was always a cape made of a blanket, towel, burlap bag or anything else I could turn into one). I also remember a conversation with my cousin who was a Batman fan. We usually saw eye to eye on everything but this was different. She claimed that Superman was much more fake than Batman. I guess even at that age I was tuned into the "campiness" of the Batman TV show. I argued feverishly that she was wrong. Superman was SO MUCH MORE REAL!!! There was no silly music, "Boff" or "Pow" starbursts or utility belts with items that couldn't possibly work! Her sole argument was based on the fact that Batman was just a normal guy and Superman was an alien and "There are no such things as aliens". And then came the typical 7 year old response: "Oh, you're just stupid!" There; I won that argument!

Some 33 years later, I still would win that argument. He WAS real to me. And that was because George WAS Superman to me. Every visit to Nana's involved a 30 minute viewing followed by hours of acting it out either by myself or with cousins and friends. It wasn't until many years later that I did some self evaluation and realized that George was also a father figure to me as my "real" Dad wasn't around for me and from what I can tell, never wanted to be a Dad in the true sense of the word.

I now enjoy telling my memories to my children but we do it while watching the show TOGETHER. I want George to be special to them, but not a replacement for me. I think that's how George would want it.

Brad Cressley—“skeeter728"

It's sometimes hard to put my emotions into words when talking about George. I feel that I would only echo what Lou Koza and John Raspanti have already so eloquently written. I've already given my thoughts on George as Superman. But in the years that followed his death, I began to crave more than what we saw in TAOS.

It was only by watching the late night movies - while babysitting my kid sister and brother - that I really encountered George Reeves, the actor. It began as a mild fascination and became my own "Magnificent Obsession" that has continued for over 47 years. To see George in other roles made him so real to me. While I have yet to see some of the earlier films, I was pleasantly surprised with Pony Express Days. I'll never forget his Sam in The Sainted Sisters with his high principles and naiveté about the likes of women Veronica Lake and Joan Caulfield. Or the playboy boyfriend role in Blood and Sand to Rita Hayworth. This was also the first time I saw George with a moustache. But perhaps one of the most substantial roles, and, romantically as close to Wedding of Superman, was So Proudly We Hail. That wedding night scene on the beach with Claudette Colbert would make any girl's heart beat faster. And to hear him read that letter to her on the ship back home would make any girl swoon.

As a generation we were truly blessed to see some of the capabilities this man had. I regret that George didn't have the opportunity to give us more of himself than he did. Yet, I am grateful for all that he did leave us. My greatest regret is to never have known him personally and how involved he was with charitable work. George might not have ever had children of his own; but he has an entire generation of children who love, respect, and admire him and the values he held so dear. Thank you, George, for all the memories!

Colete Morlock

For me it all started in the mid 1970s. Merv Griffin had a talk show and was going to have the cast members on. I so much looked forward to seeing him not knowing at the time that he had already passed away. When the show aired I was truly disappointed to learn of his death.

In 2000, I bought a satellite dish and TV Land was running a two day marathon of TAOS. I started watching them and even taped a couple. Something clicked inside of me and I had to learn everything I could about the handsome man that played Clark Kent/ Superman.

I began collecting on George and today I have all of the episodes along with quite a few of his movies and shows. I have some beautiful pictures of him as well. I appreciate the help of Lou Koza for his two disc special on George. I hope to get some more of his movies in the future.

George was and is a very wonderful and talented actor. I think the role was wonderful for him. He portrayed the character with dignity and warmth. Thank you George for all the memories.

Janet Harbison

I've tried to live my life by the principles I learned by watching the show and don't hide or apologize for it.

Granted, in my field (comic book production) patterning yourself on George Reeves as Superman isn't as odd as in other professions, but I was that way when I was a theater manager too. My office was decorated with photos of the TV cast. My staff was always fine with it, and often found me Superman presents at Christmas. They seemed proud of their "unique" manager.

And my years as a newspaper editor...what better role model than Clark Kent and the Daily Planet staff? One of my happiest accomplishments was closing down a dive where several had been murdered...something I could see Perry White doing.

Heck, I don't hide my light under a bushel. I've been displaying my Superman collection since 1973 at schools and museums. I am proud to go and address groups from first graders to college age on Superman.

And it's all because of George Reeves. For a little boy growing up in the 1950's with no father, the guy in tights on TV made a great substitute and role model.

Mike Curtis

George Reeves brought believe-ability to a very difficult role, shot on a shoestring budget.
Even though he was initially told the show would probably never make it to TV, he gave it his best and succeeded in creating a Superman that still lives on...54 years after the first episodes were filmed, and 46 years after his death.

I'm sure if he were around today to see the admiration we all have for him, in spite of the difficulties this role gave him and his frustration with his acting offers, he'd feel The Adventures Of Superman was all worth it. He'd be proud of this legacy he left us with.

John O'Keefe (JFOK)

Because he brought dignity and humanity to the role of Superman.

Getting kids to watch Superman in the '50s was a gimme. Once we were there, we saw George as a strong, charismatic, friendly protector. That holds up. That's why I enjoy re-watching the series, why for me it stands up so well, and is not just an ancient TV novelty.

What we can see now that might not have been apparent as kids is GR's potential for depth in the role. The scripts rarely went there, but GR could have done a lot with the complexities of Clark the man and the stress of leading two lives.

George was a fine, attractive actor. He was given an opportunity to influence a whole generation of American youngsters, and—despite his unhappiness with the circumstances—he made the most of it.

Alfred Walker

Like a lot of us, I discovered the TV show in the 1950's and was hooked. Up to the age of nine, I spent my time, off and on, in the Shriners Hospital. George became my role model, my idol, and my escape from the surgeries and the pain. He was my hero, my champion.

And funny thing, I loved his smile. It reassured and made me feel, that no matter what, George, would pull me through.

One of my earliest family memories is fighting with my sister. Superman and American Bandstand came on at the same time, so we had to trade off.

Those that have discovered "the real George Reeves" know how I feel. I am sad that younger generations will never know him as we do. He is always a part of me.

Thanks Carl, for giving me opportunity to write my thoughts on George. It is very personal. It is hard to write my feelings down and put them into words. And thank you George, for everything.

Thom Hamilton

This would be a tough question to answer. Only because George does mean so much to us in so many ways, on so many levels. A pedestal would be a consideration, but that would be unfair to George to consider him anything other than an ordinary man. Especially knowing George didn't see himself better than anyone, perhaps just fortunate enough to help others. But if I can be slightly unfair, I'd say it would be befitting to consider him slightly better than the ordinary man. George was genuine. He cared.

Throughout George's life, he was generous, considerate and respectful. When he severed ties with Toni Mannix, he sort of cut loose a little. Felt it time to have a good time without the obligated ball and chain around his ankles. Prior to his estrangement with Toni, she smothered George with gifts. What was he supposed to do? Be ungrateful?

George's bad boy years or rather months came during his Lenore Lemmon relationship. A woman who George more than likely was unaware of her extreme behavior, until he got to see her in action. However much he let loose, it's radically pale in comparison to the real bad boys of Hollywood and much of America. In the end, George saw he needed to get back on track, and down to business. Which meant, good-bye to the party girl. Lenore after all was not his kind of gal.

There is no telling the good George would have done once he finished season seven. But I'd venture it would have been a positive trend. Is it biased for me to think this way? Maybe, but my money is on George. I believe he felt a bond with young people, much like his old buddy William Boyd AKA, Hopilong Cassidy. And like Hoppy who warned children never to play with guns because of the dangers, George did the same with his own audience. At any opportunity he would warn children who felt they could put on a Superman Playsuit and be like Superman that trying to fly is dangerous to their well being.

So George knew he had an audience out there, people who admired and looked up to him. It was only a matter of getting the right vehicle to connect to them again.

Just last weekend, I watched five Pre-Superman films of George that I'd never seen before. Father is a Prince, Calling All Husbands, Ladies Must Live, The Last Will and Testament of Tom Smith and Dead Men Tell. George is superb in all. It's no wonder he felt he was a better actor than given credit for. The first three are romantic comedies and George shines throughout. I'd be willing to bet he was the very best leading romantic actor in Hollywood. Tom Smith is an extraordinary performance, hands down. And in Dead Men Tell, he shows a tougher side of his acting abilities.

All I can say is this, we see something far more in George Reeves than the big screen Hollywood moguls did. That is not to say George wasn't getting work, just not the better roles he deserved. Fortunately, we got to see this extremely gifted actor play the part of the most recognizable character in the world, SUPERMAN. For that, we thank George Reeves.

Lou Koza

George Reeves was my first hero. When I discovered him at around the age of four years I wasn't quite sure what a 'George Reeves' was. The Adventures of Superman was my favorite television show. I watched it every week enthralled by the stories and by the ultimate hero...Superman. I found a red towel and placed it around my neck and sat there...watching Superman save people. It was amazing, exciting and fantastic...and yet it there was also something else that I can still remember.

Superman was a very kind person...and the warmth came right thru the television and touched me. George Reeves had done that. As I watched the credits roll by I saw the name...'George Reeves' and wondered about him. Later when I was older and I knew that he was no longer living, I felt this profound sadness that I still feel today.

George Reeves as Superman provided so many great moments for me. He entertained me, he amazed me and most of all he touched my soul. Even to this day, over forty years later I am still moved by scenes from the series. Thank you George...and as the song says...you where simply the BEST.