Product Details

• Actors: Casey Kasem, Ted Knight, Olan Soule, Jane Webb, Larry Storch
• Writers: Bob Kane, Jerry Robinson, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster
• Format: Animated, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Plot Summary is for the Batman tape, NOT Superman
• VHS Release Date: December 21, 1993
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6300273253
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #209,463 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Filmation's Splendid Superman Cartoons Return, May 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Super Powers Collection - Superman [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This tape contains seven Superman cartoons created by the now-defunct Filmation animation studio. The cartoons were part of the studio's debut into TV animation, The New Adventures Of Superman, first broadcast in September 1966 on CBS.

The cartoons do not, of course, have the lavish flowing animation of Max Fleischer's 1940s Superman cartoons (even today, with greater animation budgets for such cartoons as Warner Brothers' immortal Batman series, TV animation never quite reaches the level of Fleischer's work), but they nonetheless have very attractive graphics and good character designs - no surprise given that the show's associate producer was Anatole Kirsanoff, one of the key animators for Hanna-Barbera's Jonny Quest series.

Also present are the magnificent voice performances of Clayton "Bud" Collyer as Clark Kent/Superman, the original radio voice of The Man Of Steel. No voice artist can ever surpass him or his fellow radio voice, narrator Jackson Beck. For Lois Lane, Filmation alternated between original Lois Lane voice Joan Alexander and actress Julie Bennett; Bennett is present in the three cartoons in which Ms. Lane appears on this tape, and does the voice very well. Jack Grimes - aka Sparky on Speed Racer - is brilliant as Jimmy Olsen, while Cliff Owens shines as Lex Luthor.

Holding it all together are the superb scores of John Marion and Gordon Zahler. If it weren't for John Williams and his 1978 movie score, Marion and Zahler's 1966 TV work would rank as the finest music possible for Superman or any superhero. Using a large orchestra, Marion and Zahler give the cartoons a sweep and majesty not to be found in any Hanna-Barbera creation or any cartoon before Warners' 1990s Batmans.

The show's writing, primarily by DC Comics writers George Kashdan and Dennis Marks, varied in quality, but stories were generally good. At times the writing was downright brilliant, as in the controversial classic The Pernicious Parasite, featuring a villian with the ability to drain physical power from anyone - even Superman. How The Man Of Steel defeats the Parasite remains an ending sure to shock - indeed it is a wonder how this cartoon made it past Standards & Practices at CBS.

The Superman series by Filmation and the studio's other superhero series, Aquaman, remain classics deserving of greater contemporary exposure.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great family fun, September 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Super Powers Collection - Batman [VHS] (VHS Tape)

For fans of Batman this is a must have. It is a classic cartoon version of the Adam West Burt Ward TV show. Although the animation is dated it is non-violent and great to share with your children. Our 3 year old loves to watch this "cartoon Batman". Enjoy.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for Kids!!!, September 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Super Powers Collection - Batman [VHS] (VHS Tape)

If you're tired of the violence and darkness of today's Batman then get your kids this classic! My son loves it! As soon as it's over he wants to watch it again! I strongly reccomend this video for parents of small batman fans!