|
|
Post by captaincelluloid on May 25, 2009 19:50:58 GMT -5
For Superman Fans, make sure to check out my page dedicated to the memory of George Reeves and Christopher Reeve. It's loaded with images, vids, and info. You can also find details on my annual convention, this year to be held on September 19th-20th. www.myspace.com/captaincelluloid5000 Thanks, Captain Celluloid!  |
|
|
|
Post by MAVERICK on May 25, 2009 22:05:49 GMT -5
Really impressive stuff, guy! 
|
|
|
|
Post by captaincelluloid on Jun 16, 2009 15:40:31 GMT -5
Fifty years ago this morning, actor George Reeves died from a gunshot wound in the head, apparently self-inflicted. I don't know any more about what really happened than you probably do. All I have to go on is what others think. In the late sixties, when I met Whitney Ellsworth, who produced the Superman TV show that starred Reeves, I asked him. Mr. Ellsworth, who was one of the most nervous men I've ever met, lowered his voice to a whisper as he told me...this, despite the fact that we were alone in his office and no one could have heard him if he'd screamed what he was about to say. But acting like he feared the KGB was listening in, he told me in quick, hushed tones that George Reeves had committed suicide, possibly because he'd gotten mixed up with an unsavory situation in his personal life, possibly because he'd been drinking heavily and taking pain pills. Pretty much everyone I've met since who either knew Reeves or who studied the case closely came to much the same conclusion. Still, the rumors persist. They are, after all, more interesting. We were making them up on the playground of Westwood Elementary School the day after it happened. The theories popped up all across the country at the same time. Reeves got carried away with the role and thought he could fly and jumped out the window. Or he thought the bullets would bounce off him so he shot himself that way. Or someone thought he was Superman and thought they could shoot him without harm. Or something of the sort. I remember that and I remember the great sense of shock my friends and I all felt. It wasn't the first time we'd heard a favorite TV person had died. Lou Costello had passed away three months earlier. But Mr. Costello's death was pretty normal and anyway, he wasn't Superman. The death of Superman cried out for twists and turns and a surprise ending...and while you played with all that, it was easy to forget how dreadfully sad it was. There was something about George Reeves on TV...some little twinkle and sense of humor that underscored his acting. When I've interviewed Noel Neill, who played Lois Lane to his Clark and Superman, I always ask her, "Was he as nice a man as it seems to us watching at home?" She always replies, "Even nicer." I think I'd rather remember that than the way it ended. BY MARK GRANIER
|
|
|
|
Post by MAVERICK on Jun 16, 2009 16:09:52 GMT -5
FANTASTIC post!  R.I.P George.
|
|
ye5man
New Member
1%
Posts: 7,928
|
Post by ye5man on Jun 16, 2009 16:35:22 GMT -5
Costello's film (and stage) career was pretty much dead when he died just befopre his 53rd. His last film, released after his death, bombed, plus he was a very sick man throughout most of his adult life so not a surprise he went early
Reeves' death on the other hand, must have been a huge shock. The TV series was given the greenlight for the next season (I understand the superior Phyliss Coates was asked to return as Lois) and he was enormously popular with the kids. It just came out the blue. From what I've read, I don't think he killed himself. it seemed he was looking forward to future projects.
Very, very sad. I've always liked this guy and he was a superb actor. Even the worst eps are watchable solely thanks to him.
|
|
|
|
Post by EnriqueH on Jun 16, 2009 16:53:51 GMT -5
He was a great Superman.
|
|
|
|
Post by Valentine Smith on Jun 17, 2009 6:31:34 GMT -5
Excellent post, Cap.
Has anyone here read Hollywood Kryptonite, and is it any good?
|
|
downwithrouth
New Member
Geekdom really needs to shut up
Posts: 167
|
Post by downwithrouth on Jun 17, 2009 11:06:49 GMT -5
Excellent post, Cap. Has anyone here read Hollywood Kryptonite, and is it any good? It's a good read, but a lot of people connected with Reeves have bashed it silly and called it "Hollywood Kraptonite." They've accused it of being sensationalist garbage and claimed it distorts the facts to the point where it might as well be a fiction book. My advice? Read both it and Jan Alan Henderson's Speeding Bullet back to back, and draw your own conclusions. |
|
|
|
Post by Valentine Smith on Jun 17, 2009 20:16:55 GMT -5
Thanks! I'd like to! I need to track 'em down...
|
|
|
|
Post by Jor-L5150 on Jun 18, 2009 12:30:39 GMT -5
Excellent post, Cap. Has anyone here read Hollywood Kryptonite, and is it any good? It's a good read, but a lot of people connected with Reeves have bashed it silly and called it "Hollywood Kraptonite." They've accused it of being sensationalist garbage and claimed it distorts the facts to the point where it might as well be a fiction book. My advice? Read both it and Jan Alan Henderson's Speeding Bullet back to back, and draw your own conclusions. wasnt there a book called " hollywood vs superman " ? - oh btw - yeah - great post up there and george reeves was a great superman . |
|
|
|
Post by stargazer01 on Jun 19, 2009 0:54:54 GMT -5
According to Superman Homepage,
Friday at 12:30 PM on the Hallmark Channel, George Reeves is Superman on a 1957 episode of TV classic "I Love Lucy".
I'm not sure if it's talking about tomorrow Friday or the next one, so check your local listings.
I really wanna see it. Hope I don't forget.
|
|
|
|
Post by captaincelluloid on Jun 19, 2009 23:44:31 GMT -5
Having read "Hollywood Kryptonite," and getting opinions from both Noel Neil and Phyllis Coates, I can honestly say it's pure fiction. Both ladies agree that George could never take his own life, being he had too much going for him at the time. 26 more TV episodes were going to be shot and released for 1960. Phyllis told me George was going to direct and produce a sci fi movie, and wanted her for a part. Even had a script prepared for her to read. A boxing exhibition with Archie Moore was also planned. It just didn't make sense he would commit suicide. |
|
Keith
New Member
Posts: 3,238
|
Post by Keith on Jun 20, 2009 9:31:35 GMT -5
According to Superman Homepage, Friday at 12:30 PM on the Hallmark Channel, George Reeves is Superman on a 1957 episode of TV classic "I Love Lucy".I'm not sure if it's talking about tomorrow Friday or the next one, so check your local listings. I really wanna see it. Hope I don't forget. Haven't seen that episode in a while, but it is a good one. The ending really cracks me up "You, are married to her?" "And they call me Superman." lol.. classic episode! |
|
|
|
Post by Valentine Smith on Jun 20, 2009 10:26:48 GMT -5
ooh, Gazer, thanks! Hopefully it means next Friday. Must DVR this!!!!
|
|
Legsy
New Member
Alright, alright, alright...
Posts: 15,339
|
Post by Legsy on Jun 20, 2009 10:27:34 GMT -5
INDEED! |
|
