Superman: The Theatrical Serials Collection (DVD, 2006, DigiPack)

Unfortunately, this transaction was doomed from the beginning. Before using BUY IT NOW, I made sure the item WAS located in the USA which was clearly stated. Then I'm told by the seller that payment had to be sent to a foreign country (Canada). This immediately sent up a red flag. I sent the seller FIVE emails requesting why the payment was going to Canada instead of the USA before I'd send money. After the FIFTH email, my question was finally answered (not to my satisfaction), so I hesitantly sent a money order as requested. Western Union verified that the check WAS cashed on 1/18/07. After contacting MOVIEZILLA, they claimed that they DIDN'T cash the check. They now want me to find out where it was cashed in Canada! This is absolutey absurd to me. It would cost me another $12.00 + shipping to get a copy of the money order to send to the seller! I guess there's a very good reason seller has had 166 NEGATIVE FEEDBACKS in the past 12 months. I don't understand why Ebay still allows this seller to take advantage of his helpless buyers like me. Thanks for letting me vent my anger with this seller. Ater 10 flawless years (100% feedback rating) on Ebay, this has upset me the most.

David Timms

I am a Superman collector and needed this item for my collection. When it came up on auction it was at a very reasonable price and so I went for it. I like the old Kirk Alyn serials and wish I would have had an opportunity to meet him in person. Ebay gives me a very abundant source of items to choose from and I like to also use the seller's feedback for decisions.

Thank You,
Jim Hanulik aka Superoldtexan

Before George Reeves played the famous superhero, there was Kirk Alyn who wore the costume for the first on-screen version of Superman. Superman was a movie serial that came out in 1948. A movie serial was a fifteen-minute film that ended with a cliffhanger. This was done so that the audience would come back to see the next installment, or next episode, the following week


These movie serials were done before television. Television came out in 1949; the first Superman serial appeared in theaters in 1948. The special effects were very primitive by today’s standard, but they were very effective for that time. To have Superman fly, the audience saw Kirk Alyn jump, and then turn into a cartoon. When Superman landed, he was a cartoon, and then changed back to Kirk Alyn. This may sound bad, but it was not. The animations for these serials were done very well. Not only were the flying scenes animated, but also bullets, explosions, and even when Superman busted through walls, it was all animated.


Noel Neill played Lois Lane for the first time in 1948, and right from the start, she set the standard for the character. Tommy Bond, who played Butch in The Little Rascals, played Jimmy Olsen. Pierre Watkin played Perry White. He did not play him as rough as John Hamilton, but he was convincing as a newspaper editor. Carol Forman played the villainess who was building a reducer ray to create evil in Metropolis.
Superman was fifteen chapters long, and each one was fifteen minutes long. It was not a big production, but it was a big success. Today’s children may find it boring, or even stupid, but for fans of Superman, this is a treasure.


After the success of Superman, Columbia filmed a second serial in 1950: Atom Man vs. Superman. Just like the first, Kirk Alyn, Noel Neill, Tommy Bond, and Pierre Watkin came back to reprise their rolls. Lyle Talbot played the part of Luthor. (The character was not known by Lex Luthor yet)


Television had just come out, but not everyone had a set. Theaters were still showing serials, and Atom Man vs. Superman was one of the last serials to be filmed. This one has a lot more action than the first. Superman has to battle Luthor, who is the Atom Man, and save Metropolis from his demands.


This installment of Superman was ahead of its time. Luthor is a scientist, and he developed an ark that can take a person’s atoms, and place them somewhere else. Sounds like the transporter beam used in Star Trek, but this was done sixteen years before Star Trek. Another way this serial was ahead of its time was that they used the new media, television, to have Lois interviewing people on the streets.


Atom Man vs. Superman did not change their special effects. Kirk Ayln still turned into a cartoon to fly, the bullets that bounced off his chest, and busting through walls were still animated. In the chapter called:"Into the Empty Doom”, the special effects were done very well, especially when Superman was a phantom. This was done before we knew about the Phantom Zone, another example on how this was ahead of its time.


If you have the time, grab some popcorn, your friends, and family, relax on the couch, and enjoy these two early installments of Superman.

I don't remember seeing these at a theater(not old enough). I do remember seeing them on TV a while back. This Superman is rather girly compared to George Reeves. However the episodes are pretty interesting especially for those interested in Superman real actors not cartoons. A good purchase for light entertainment. The use of cartoon figures for Superman flying is strictly pre computer.

Price and I wanted it. I like it alot. I lile the age frame of it. i'm very interested in older movies and tv shows.

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Winning this set was a no brainer for me! I sat in local theaters when both serials were released watching every chapter as though it was real. As a young kid, Kirk Alyn was Superman! Even though the plot lines do not hold up with age these two serials are still great fun. Add Noel Neill to the mix and you have a winning pair. By the way, Noel Neill has played opposite every actor that has portrayed Superman since 1948! The digital remastering is excellent, but the extra features are too short. I would have liked to know why Tommy Bond and Noel Neill were passed over for the television Series' first season. That aside, Kirk Alyn at the Kent farm reading a newspaper in a suit and tie before he even leaves for Metropolis is a hoot! Highly recommended for any hardcore fan or curious newcomer!

Superman: The Theatrical Serials Collection - I love the old movies. DVD video and all the rest of all the oldies. I am collector of all stuff.

I HAVE BEEN A VERY MUCH SUPERMAN FAN SINCE THE 50's AND HAVE REALLY ENJOYED PARTS OF THE EARLIER STORIES. THIS TAKES IT BACK TO SOME OF THE OLD SHOWS THAT WE WATCHED AS KIDS. EVEN MY OLDER BROTHER SAID HE REMEMBERED SOME OF THESE SHOWS.IT WAS A PLEASURE TO WATCH AND REMEMBER A TIME SO SIMPLE.

I have always wanted the superman serials but they won't avaible until now. And the dvds were for sale from a seller that Ihave done business and for a fair price.