Customer Reviews

Superman on Film, Television, Radio and Broadway

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Bruce Scivally has done a masterful job of linking almost 80 years of history into a gripping narrative. This book looks behind the hype and into the stories of Superman's origins and most movingly, into the lives of those who created the Superman myth. We discover how the Man of Steel challenged those who tried to bring him to life on the radio, in movies, on television and the stage--the very media where life was breathed into the simple character from the comics. What unfolds is an amazing story of Hollywood, egos, failures, creative triumphs and even delusional mental illness. There were points in this story where I literally wondered how the character survived in the hands of those who held the rights. I came away understanding quite a bit more about why Superman became and stayed popular even to those who never really read the comics. The book details the subtle and not-so-subtle changes in the character that have allowed him to succeed in numerous incarnations on television and film. This is a very revealing and illuminating look at a character who has survived and prospered for so long because of the way he has been translated to radio, film, television and Broadway. Great details on all the performers who have played Superman and all the key creative forces behind each incarnation. If you are interested in entertainment industry history, this book gives as grand of an overview as you could want by examining one character through virtually every facet of our media-obsessed culture.

As someone who owns Mr. Scivally's great James Bond: The Legacy, I was really looking forward to receiving my copy of his latest, Superman on Film, Television, Radio and Broadway.
The cover showcases the title exploding out from the Man of Steel's chest as he rips open his shirt - PERFECT!! I am a huge fan of that iconic image and couldn't think of a better choice for the cover.

The book itself is 240 pages long (of that about 50 pages at the end are appendices, chapter notes, a bibliography and an index). Unlike James Bond: The Legacy, this book is "normal" size at 7" x 10" with a thick - almost textbook thick - cover. There are unfortunately precious few pictures spread throughout the book - if I counted right there are only 12 and they are black and white. Now, sounds like I was dissappointed right? Wrong!

What Mr. Scivally seems to have aimed for is the definitive textbook on the history of the Man of Steel. It is thorough, well-written and a joy to read. I am concerned though that at a list price of US$49.95, it may not reach the widespread audience it should. I am somewhat confused about the price point I have to admit - I would have expected it to be closer to US$29.99. Anyway, on to the review...

From the dedication page which reads:


"To my dear wife, Sandra, and daughter, Amanda, who, every day, make this Clark Kent feel like a Superman"
the reader knows that the author is dedicated to the character and telling a fascinating story of the challenges which were faced in bringing every incarnation of Superman to life. He thoroughly covers the creation of our hero by Siegel and Shuster, his radio and cartoon appearances, the Kirk Alyn serials and the George Reeves era. Included are the "failed" attempts of Superboy and Superpup, the Broadway show It's a Bird... It's a Plane.... It's Superman, and of course the movies we have come to love and question beginning with Superman: The Movie and ending with Superman Returns. The TV incarnations of Lois & Clark and Smallville are extremely well covered and will no doubt surprise most readers with some tidbits even seasoned fans don't know. I consider myself a pretty knowledgable guy on the history of Superman but there were many things I didn't know and really enjoyed discovering. For those who want to relive the recent years including the efforts before Superman Returns made it to the screen they are very well handled - its a miracle Singer's film made it to theaters after all the trials and tribulations that proceeded it.
I would like to end this review with Mr. Scivally's afterword - I think it really encompasses all our hopes and dreams for the Man of Steel. His book will be a very worthwhile addition to any Superman fan's collection.


"Will there be another Superman movie? Of course there will. It's inevitable, because Superman is too much a part of our culture. He has been celebrated in song by Jim Croce, Barbra Streisand, The Kinks, REM, Five for Fighting, and 3 Doors Down. He has been a video game fixture since the dawn of the computer revolution.The comic books are still selling steadily, and the yearly Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Illinois continues to attract thousands of visitors each June.
From the pages of the comics to radio's theater of the imagination, from the intimacy of television to the majesty of the movies, there has always been and will perhaps always be a Superman for every medium and every generation."

"Superman on Film, Television, Radio and Broadway" is the finest book on the marketplace for superman lovers. Bruce Scivally writes succinctly and informatively about every aspect of the Man of Steel. The chapters include photos from authentic archives which highlight the content. The descriptions are captivating. Author Scivally has an amazing command of all the details of Superman's life and times. When one finishes this excellent work, the reader will have a fine understanding of how Superman appeared in the media throughout his 70 year career. One of the finest books I have ever read. I recommend it highly. Charley Levi, Deerfield,IL

I really like this book!! I expected it to be thicker, but it has very few pics in it so it is not as thick. I like the detail it has. I am just happy it's available!! I've wanted it since I found out it was comming out. I recommend this to any Superman fan!

Superman is something that I grew up with and can't imagine not havng around. This book provides a comprehensive telling of the superman legend and how it came to be. Superman and his various creators/portrayers showed that through hard work and perseverance the american dream can come true. Sometimes with a price.

If you are a fan of Superman then this is the book for you.

Although to some observers the cultural phenomenon known as Superman, now just a year shy of his 70th birthday, is a static thing, a blue, red and yellow trademark that seems to have always been with us in his present form, the truth is that the Man from Krypton has not only undergone a myriad of changes since his comic book debut in 1938, but has, in one form or another, made the rounds of just about every medium of entertainment available. Only a scant two years after his premiere on the printed page, Superman would become the star of his own radio series followed shortly by an appearance in a string of brilliantly realized animated cartoons courtesy of the Nat Fleisher Studios, home of Popeye and Betty Boop. A novel chronicling his exploits - which would further define and remold certain aspects of the character - was followed by two low-budget motion picture serials for Columbia Pictures starring Kirk Alyn which in turn led directly to the enormously popular and long-running The Adventures of Superman TV series featuring George Reeves. Though in the 1960s Superman suffered a few years of inactivity with only a few cartoons and a failed Broadway show to keep his name above the lights, a series of big budgeted films in the 1970s with Christopher Reeves re-invented the character and made him as popular as ever. Subsequently the small tube has revisited the Superman mythos with shows like Superboy, Lois and Clark and now Smallville which totally alters the story of his early years and development. More recently, Superman Returns starring Brendon Routh has appeared on the big screen with a sequel in the works. In SUPERMAN ON FILM, TELEVSION, RADIO AND BROADWAY Producer/documentary maker, writer Bruce Scivally has turned his talents to tracing the history of the origin and on-going transformation of the Man from Krypton, charting the often circuitous routes that paved the way for his multi-media appearances and the creative forces that have been responsible for the on-going rebirth of one of the last 70 year's most recognizable and potent characters in modern fiction. Scivally covers all bases and delivers a highly entertaining and engaging history of the amazingly resiliant Man of Steel.