Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Cancelled or Renewed?
    • Cancelled TV Shows (lists)
    • Cancellations
    • Renewals
    • TV Show Status Pages
    • Vulture Watch
  • TV Ratings
    • Daily Network Ratings
    • Ratings by Season/Channel
    • Weekly Averages
    • Soap Opera Ratings
    • Archive
    • Viewer Votes
      • ABC TV shows
      • CBS TV shows
      • The CW TV shows
      • FOX TV shows
      • NBC TV shows
      • All Viewer Votes
  • About
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • RSS
  • Mail

canceled + renewed TV shows - TV Series Finale

   

Adventures of Superman

Adventures of SupermanNetwork: first-run syndication
Episodes: 104 (half-hour)
Seasons: Six

TV show dates: September 19, 1952 — April 28, 1958
Series status: Cancelled/ended

Performers include: George Reeves, Jack Larson, Noel Neill, Phyllis Coates, John Hamilton, Robert Shayne, Bill Kennedy, Stephen Carr, Phillips Tead, and Sterling Holloway.

TV show description:      
Following the success of Superman movie serials, radio programs, and comic books, the man of steel was brought to the small-screen for the first time in this live-action adventure series.

Rocketed to Earth as a small child from the planet Krypton, Kal-El was raised by a kindly farmer couple and given the name of Clark Kent. He soon begins to exhibit extraordinary powers and learns to control them as he grows older.

As an adult, Clark (George Reeves) becomes a reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, The Daily Planet, and keeps his superpowers a secret from the world.

At the paper, Clark works for the blustering editor and publisher, Perry White (John Hamilton). His friends on the job are fellow reporter Lois Lane (Phyllis Coates, then Noel Neill) and young cub reporter and photographer Jimmy Olsen (Jack Larson).

When danger arises, Clark removes his street clothes and becomes Superman, the defender of truth, justice, and the American way. He’s frequently called upon to stop criminals or to save his friends from peril. Despite the fact that, as Clark, he acts very mild-mannered, Lois suspects that he and Superman are one and the same person. Fortunately, she’s never able to prove it.

The reporters and man of steel work closely with Inspector Henderson (Robert Shayne) of the Metropolis Police. Though he often ends up coming to their rescue, Superman can also depend on help from eccentric inventors like Professor Pepperwinkle (Phillips Tead) and Uncle Oscar (Sterling Holloway).

Series Finale:     
Episode 104 — All That Glitters
Professor Pepperwinkle discovers a way to make gold out of ordinary materials. Two criminals learn of the invention and want to force him into making them rich.The Professor tells Lois and Jimmy about the plot and how he’s set up a trap for the thugs. Jimmy is accidentally hit on the head by the trap and, when he comes to, the Professor tells them he’s also invented pills that will give super powers to regular humans. Lois and Jimmy take the pills, track down the villains, and knock them out.

The super-reporters fly back to the professor’s lab, just as he’s reset his trap and Jimmy is hit again. Unfortunately, it turns out that the superpills were all part of Jimmy’s dream. The criminals return to Pepperwinkle’s lab and are not please to learn that the gold transformation also requires a bar of expensive platinum. In the end, it costs $10,000 worth of platinum to make $5,000 worth of gold.

Angry, they tie Lois, Jimmy, and the Professor to his invention and set a bomb. Fortunately, Superman arrives in time to save the day.

Back in Perry White’s office, Jimmy describes his dream and tells Clark, “Golly, Mr. Kent, you’ll never know what it’s like to be like Superman” Clark replies, “No, Jimmy, I guess I never will.”
First aired: April 28, 1958.

 

What happened next?   
Though the characters have continued on in various live-action and animated series, this particular version was never revived.

 

Behind the Scenes

space
• The series finale was directed by Reeves. The actor also directed two other episodes in the final season.
space
• The last episode was presumed to be the series finale at the time of filming. However, by 1959, producers were making plans to revive the series. Hamilton died in 1958 so he would have been replaced by Pierre Watkin as Perry White’s brother. Watkin had previously played Perry White in two Superman movie serials for Columbia.
space
• The series revival plans were thrown into disarray with the untimely death of Reeves on June 16, 1959. Larson has said that the producers later proposed that the show could continue as Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen. The focus would shift to Jimmy and would incorporate stock footage of Reeves and a lookalike stunt double. Larson rejected the concept.
space
• Coates, Larson, and Neill have made appearances in many other Superman projects over the years.
space

More about: Adventures of Superman

Related Articles

  • Smallville: Castmates Mourn Loss of Noel Neill
    July 5, 2016
  • Noel Neill dead at age 95. Lois Lane on Adventures of Superman TV show.
    Adventures of Superman: Noel Neill Dies at 95
    July 5, 2016
  • <em>I Love Lucy:</em> Doris Singleton Dies; Farewell Carolyn Appleby
    I Love Lucy: Doris Singleton Dies; Farewell Carolyn Appleby
    June 27, 2012
  • <em>Superman:</em> James Denton Plays Animated Man of Steel
    Superman: James Denton Plays Animated Man of Steel
    February 21, 2011
  • Joanne Siegel, Inspiration for <em>Superman's</em> Lois Lane, Dies at 93
    Joanne Siegel, Inspiration for Superman’s Lois Lane, Dies at 93
    February 15, 2011
  • 2008 TV Land Awards: Overflowing with Classic TV Show Stars
    2008 TV Land Awards: Overflowing with Classic TV Show Stars
    June 14, 2008
  • <em>Underdog:</em> What Do the Series Creators Think About the Movie?
    Underdog: What Do the Series Creators Think About the Movie?
    August 6, 2007
  • <em>Little House on the Prairie:</em> Reverend Alden Passes
    Little House on the Prairie: Reverend Alden Passes
    May 1, 2007

Canceled and renewed TV show
« Previous Post
Next Post »

14
Leave a Reply

avatar
6 Comment threads
8 Thread replies
2 Followers
 
Most reacted comment
Hottest comment thread
11 Comment authors
Danny SordelloPeter Quagliettirod fullerOsirisChuck Lewis Recent comment authors
avatar

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Peter Quaglietti
Reader
Peter Quaglietti

I enjoy the original Superman series so much, I’d watch every show through the entire series.

Vote Up20Vote Down Reply
September 22, 2016 10:24 pm
Danny Sordello
Reader
Danny Sordello

The original Superman series cannot be beat. I was born 12-31-46, just the right age to fully appreciate the original set of Superman shows. God bless all the original cast. They were just great!

Vote Up10Vote Down Reply
July 22, 2018 11:18 am
rod fuller
Reader
rod fuller

like to see new superman series

Vote Up30Vote Down Reply
May 2, 2016 1:05 am
Osiris
Reader
Osiris

Sometimes when I am watching Supergirl I wonder if I had a time machine and could go back in time to the 1950s and show the kids watching Superman an episode of Supergirl what they would think of it.

Vote Up10Vote Down Reply
February 2, 2016 10:01 am
steve rudnick
Reader
steve rudnick

heard the show will be on me tv in the fall i have the first season on dvd bought it cheap on ebay

Vote Up1-1Vote Down Reply
July 21, 2014 12:00 am
Tony G
Reader
Tony G

You can purchase the complete series of ALL the episodes, on DVD, at many retailers, or on the web. Good luck, and ENJOY – George Reeves was, and always will be my favorite Superman!

Vote Up10Vote Down Reply
March 9, 2012 4:45 am
wanda
Reader
wanda

i have been watching superman ,george reeves, for a long time.
i wish they would put him back on tv.
because i miss watching him.
it will always be my favorite series.
please put superman back on,
thank you

Vote Up10Vote Down Reply
February 1, 2010 11:47 pm
Mike
Reader
Mike

You want a 53 year old skeleton flying around with a bullet hole in his skull? I don’t think they’d call that Superman! lol

Vote Up0-1Vote Down Reply
May 23, 2012 11:31 pm
steve rudnick
Reader
steve rudnick

i heard me tv is going to start showing the adventures of superman in the fall do not know if you get this station or not i bought season 1 on dvd cheap on ebay

Vote Up10Vote Down Reply
July 22, 2014 7:43 pm
Ed Osler
Reader
Ed Osler

George Reeves and the Adventures of Superman have been on the air-waves since 1951. That’s 64 years. Far longer than any other television show, including I Love Lucy. The first season of The Adventures of Superman were filmed as adult film noir small movies not aimed at children but more for their parents. Season 2 was probably the last quasi-adult script presentation. Seasons 3,4,5 and 6 were aimed at children as well as being filmed in color. The special effects were spectacular by 1950’s standards. To a novice, the show could be considered cheesy. But to Baby Boomers such as… Read more »

Vote Up4-1Vote Down Reply
January 7, 2015 12:15 am
steve rudnick
Reader
steve rudnick

thats to dvds and me tv i am enjoying this show all over again w

Vote Up30Vote Down Reply
January 7, 2015 9:47 am
Danny Sordello
Reader
Danny Sordello

I was born 12-31-46 and was just the right age to grow up with Superman as a role model. My friends and I, at that time, thought Superman was the top TV show of it’s era. The times have surely changed but I will be forever grateful to have experienced the Superman days as I fell into the scheme of things in life. The fact is that many morals and values were learned because of the Superman influence.

Vote Up20Vote Down Reply
April 8, 2015 6:36 pm
steve rudnick
Reader
steve rudnick

me tv is running the adventures of superman every saturday i have watched all 104 episodes all over again and i have enjoyed them again

Vote Up20Vote Down Reply
April 9, 2015 4:04 am
Chuck Lewis
Reader
Chuck Lewis

Absolutely right Danny. Too bad that America no longer exists.

Vote Up10Vote Down Reply
October 1, 2015 1:44 pm
wpdiscuz   wpDiscuz
Fall 2020 Schedule Cancelled TV Show Lists Ratings (by TV Channel) Status Lists of 800+ Shows
  • Cancellations
  • Renewals
  • Peaky Blinders TV show on BBC One and Netflix, ending no season 7 Peaky Blinders: Season Six; BBC & Netflix Series Ending But the Story Will Continue
  • High Maintenance TV show on HBO: (canceled or renewed?) High Maintenance: "Cancelled," No Season Five for HBO Comedy Series
  • Animal Kingdom: season six renewal, no season 7 Animal Kingdom: Season Six; TNT Series Gets Early Renewal for Final Season
  • Insecure TV show on HBO: ending, no season 6 Insecure: Season Five to End Issa Rae TV Series on HBO
  • The Haves and the Have Nots TV show on OWN: ending, no season 9 The Haves and the Have Nots: OWN Series Ending Confirmed; No Season Nine
  • Green Arrow and the Canaries TV Show on The CW: canceled or renewed? Arrow: CW Spin-Off Not Moving Forward, The 100 Prequel Still Alive
  • More...
  • Tyler Perry's Sistas TV show on BET: season 3 renewal Tyler Perry's Sistas: Season Three; BET TV Series Renewal Announced January 19, 2021
  • Queen Sugar TV show on TNT: season 6 renewal ahead of season 5 premiere Queen Sugar: Season Six; OWN TV Series Renewed Ahead of Season Five Premiere (Video) January 14, 2021
  • Animal Kingdom: season six renewal, no season 7 Animal Kingdom: Season Six; TNT Series Gets Early Renewal for Final Season January 14, 2021
  • Amazon TV Shows: canceled or renewed? The Offenders: Season Two; Early Renewal for BBC and Amazon Series January 14, 2021
  • Big City Greens TV Show on Disney: canceled or renewed? Big City Greens: Season Three Renewal for Disney Channel Animated Series January 14, 2021
  • The Pack TV Show on Amazon: canceled or renewed? The Pack: Cancelled by Amazon, No Season Two for Pet Competition January 14, 2021
  • More...
  • TV Ratings
  • Quick Questions
  • 9-1-1 TV show on FOX: (canceled or renewed?)9-1-1 TV show on FOX: (canceled or renewed?) Monday TV Ratings: 9-1-1, All American, Bull, The Wall, The Bachelor
  • The CW TV show ratings (cancel or renew?) The CW 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/19/21)
  • FOX 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/19/21)
  • ABC 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/19/21)
  • CBS 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/19/21)
  • More...
  • Salvation TV show on CBS: season 3 (canceled or renewed?) Salvation: Season Three? Should the CBS Summer Series Be Renewed? September 18, 2018
  • Take Two TV show on ABC: canceled or renewed for season 2? Take Two: Season Two; Should the ABC TV Show Be Renewed? September 13, 2018
  • Shooter TV show on USA Network: canceled, no season 4 Shooter: Season Four? Would You Watch the Cancelled Show on Another Channel? September 13, 2018
  • Shades of Blue TV show on NBC: no season four Shades of Blue: Season Four? Would You Have Kept Watching the NBC Series? August 20, 2018
  • Quantico TV show on ABC: canceled, no season 4 Quantico: Season Four; Would You Have Watched More of the Cancelled ABC Series? August 4, 2018
  • More...

The Latest

  • Tyler Perry's Sistas: Season Three; BET TV Series Renewal Announced
  • T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle: Season Four Renewal, Coming to VH1 in Spring 2021
  • If We Built It Today: Season Two Coming to Science Channel This Month
  • Debris, Kenan, Young Rock: NBC Releases Teasers for Upcoming New Series
  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Annabella Sciorra to Reprise Role for NBC's SVU
  • Peaky Blinders: Season Six; BBC & Netflix Series Ending But the Story Will Continue
  • Crikey! It's the Irwins: Season Three Coming to Discovery+
  • Bosch: Season Seven; Michael Connelly on Ending the Amazon TV Series
  • Game of Talents: FOX Previews Wayne Brady Variety Show (Video)
  • For All Mankind: Season Two Trailer Released by Apple TV+
  • Vice: Season Two; Showtime Reveals Documentary Series Return Date (Video)
  • All My Children, One Life to Live, General Hospital: ABC Soap Casts to Reunite for Charity
  • Swamp Thing: Season Two? CW Boss on Character's Possible Future
  • Bridgerton: Season Two? Netflix Series Star Hoping for a Renewal
  • No Activity: Season Four Guest Stars Revealed for CBS All Access Series
  • The Crew: Netflix Releases Trailer and Premiere Date for Kevin James Sitcom
  • Young Rock, Keenan: NBC Comedies to Replace Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist
  • Last Week Tonight: Season Eight; John Oliver Series Return Date Set by HBO (Video)
  • Tyler Perry's The Oval: Season Two Premiere Announced for BET Series
More...

Popular

  • The CW 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/19/21)
  • FOX 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/19/21)
  • ABC 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/19/21)
  • CBS 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/19/21)
  • NBC 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/19/21)
  • FOX TV Shows: 2020-21 Viewer Votes
  • The CW TV Shows: 2020-21 Viewer Votes
  • CBS TV Shows: 2020-21 Viewer Votes
  • Viewer Votes Ranking for the 2020-21 Network TV Shows
  • ABC TV Shows: 2020-21 Viewer Votes
  • NBC TV Shows: 2020-21 Viewer Votes
  • Soap Opera Ratings for the 2020-21 Season (updated 1/15/21)
  • Cancelled or Renewed? Status of Cable & Streaming TV Shows (E-L)
  • OWN TV Show Ratings (updated 1/13/21)
  • Cancelled or Renewed? Status of NBC TV Shows
  • Cancelled or Renewed? Status of Cable & Streaming TV Shows (M-R)
  • 2020-21 Season Ratings for New TV Shows (week 16)
  • 2020-21 TV Show Season Ratings (week 16)
  • Starz TV Show Ratings (updated 1/12/21)

No infringement of previously copyrighted material is intended on this site. DMCA.

Copyright © TV Series Finale. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.

wpDiscuz