MovieChat Forums > Atom Man vs. Superman (1950) Discussion > Atom Man vs Superman: First Impressions

Atom Man vs Superman: First Impressions

posted 17 years ago by dadoo4050
3 replies | jump to latest

Watching the first four installments of "Atom Man vs Superman" this morning, I was amused that Luthor (played menacingly by vetrean Lyle Talbot) apparently invented the transporter that would be used on "Star Trek." Embyronic classic Sci-Fi!

"Atom Man" has the advantage over the oringinal Alyn serial as the formula is pretty much established. Imaginative use of that famous windy-bridge disaster footage made for an exciting Superman rescue.

The cartoon flying is less jarring--they insert a medium close-up of real-life Alyn in flight. Seems like I read somewhere (Grossman?) that they got around using wires by simply turning the camera sideways, and not showing Alyn's feet in the frame.

Noel Neil is lovely, as always. I like her hair better in this one, and her outfit shows off her figure moreso than the first serial.

Tommy Bond is a great Jimmy. His toughness and fearlessness lead him into many scrapes, and his sense of comedy makes us realize he was having as much fun as the kids who watched this in 1950.

Pierre Watkin is fine as Perry. Not as iconic as John Hamilton, he is a no-nonsense boss who has a knack for slight physical comedy, as seen in his many struggles to light that cigar that never seems to catch.

A fun show. I look forward to receiving my DVD's in a couple of weeks.

"Dadoo4050: and who, disguised as a mild-mannered schoolteacher. . ."

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] dadoo4050 17 years ago

Thanks for identifying the "windy-bridge" footage. I first saw this footage when I was little (late 50'S, early 60's) on an episode of "Woody Woodpecker." Walter Lantz hosted a segment called, I believe, "Around the World with Woody."

Now, over 40 years later, I recently saw this clip on an episode of the Discovery Channel show "MythBusters." Funny how some images never fade in impact.

"Dadoo4050: and who, disguised as a mild-mannered schoolteacher. . ."

[–] superman_scott-forever 17 years ago

i thourougly enjoyed kirk alyn as superman in both serials although i liked the first serial a tad more..probably because of the origin chapter 1 and the spider lady. i have watched both vhs versions many many times and now have the pleasure of showing them to my fiance. being a fan of the fleichser (spelled wrong i know) cartons of superman...i really enjoyed the animation shown when he flew and did certain stunts. kirk alyn was really having fun playing this beloved hero and it shows on screen.