Superman: Serial to Cereal

by Gary Grossman

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0445040548
• ISBN13: 9780445040540
• Release Date: January 1977
• Publisher: Popular Library
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.

Customer Reviews

I always thought I was the only "Adventures of Superman" geek; WRONG!

I first learned of this great book while watching NBC's wonderful overnight interview show "Tomorrow", hosted by Tom Snyder. When he had Gary Grossman on, I thought I'd climb through the TV to get his book. It is truly amazing, with background notes, casts, terrific photos, and summaries of each of the series' 104 episodes. There have been subsequent publications of books similar to this, but I'm betting --- since I own a few of them myself --- that an awful lot of those authors essentially plagiarized Gary Grossman's well-researched and quoted material.

A gem of steel!

For years the most notable book about the great "Adventures of Superman" tv show and writer Gary H. Grossman has done a truly super job. The author, like many of us weaned on 50's television, clearly loved this show and had seemingly tracked down all actors or crew members alive in the 1970's for a complete retrospective. For the first time we get to relive the trials and tribulations of bringing Superman to the small screen and are given key insights on why the show has weaved a sort of magic for generations of viewers (with just a shoe-string budget). Best of all, Grossman paints a wonderful memory of George Reeves- still in my book the definite Man of Steel. Although the actor felt the role was beneath his talent, the man's kindness and charisma can be felt on every page. Grossman also briefly covers the 1940's Superman serials starring Kirk Allyn. These serials have their fans but act here as sort of a dry run before the tv show takes center stage. With the "Adventures of Superman" now getting their due on DVD, this book, if you can find it, will be the perfect companion.

The go-to source for Superman info

It is unlikely that any fan of the Superman saga would find a more comprehensive summary than is presented in this book. It covers the early Superman serials from the 1940's through the classic TV series starring George Reeves. Each episode is discussed, along with background information and numerous anecdotes. The history of each of the actors is reviewed (did you know George Reeves was in Gone With the Wind?), along with the complete cast and credits for each show. There are also lots of behind-the-scenes photos of the cast and crew. This is required reading for Superman afficianados.