"Superman" Television Series To Be Honored By Los Angeles County

(July 3, 2001 – Los Angeles, CA) - In July 1951, a new television series, "The Adventures of Superman," began production in Los Angeles, giving birth to a show which would remain on America's TV screens for the next half-century, building the legend of the Man Of Steel who fought for "truth, justice and the American way," and delighting three generations of fans. On Tuesday, July 10, 2001, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will honor the TV series with a proclamation brought by Los Angeles County Mayor Mike Antonovich, declaring July 10-16 to be "The Adventures of Superman Week in Los Angeles County." “The Adventures of Superman is one of television’s earliest and most successful series, now spanning five decades," Antonovich said. "The series sparked the imagination of millions of children around the world and developed characters with integrity and a sense of compassion. It promoted understanding and tolerance among diverse people and championed truth, justice, and moral values.” Superman first appeared in the DC comics created by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel in the late 1930s, moving on to radio and then the movies in the 1940s with two hit 15-chapter serials, and so, "The Adventures of Superman" was a natural for the new medium of television. Starring George Reeves as Superman and his alter-ego, Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent, Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane (Noel Neill would later replace Coates, Neill having originated the role of Lois in the movie serials), and Jack Larson as cub reporter Jimmy Olsen, "The Adventures of Superman" would fascinate young audiences -- and their children, and their children's children. The popularity and longevity of the TV series (in part due to it being one of the first programs to make the switch to color), and the continuing success of the comic book, made Superman into one of the longest-reigning adventure heroes in popular history. Superman appeared in a new series of films in the late 1970s and early 1980s starring Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder, and led to yet another popular television series in the mid 1990s, “The Adventures of Lois & Clark,” which starred Dean Cain as Superman and Teri Hatcher as Lois Lane. But none would surpass the popularity and longevity of the original 1950s television series, to which the County of Los Angeles will pay tribute on July 10. Appearing at the July 10 ceremony in the Board of Supervisors hearing room at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in downtown Los Angeles will be original TV cast members Jack Larson and Noel Neill, along with legendary actors Jeff Corey and Dabbs Greer, who appeared in the first season's episodes; Joanne Siegel, widow of Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel and the artist's model for the original comic book Lois Lane; Laura Siegel-Larson, Jerry and Joanne's daughter and other surprise guests affiliated with the classic TV program. The proclamation will be accepted by Paul Levitz, Executive Vice President & Publisher of DC Comics, the company which has published Superman since the character’s inception, and which produced “The Adventures of Superman” series. DC Comics is a division of Warner Bros., an AOL Time Warner company. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. # # #