History Series / TheAdventuresofSuperman

The later TV series ''Series/LoisAndClarkTheNewAdventuresOfSuperman'' is named "The ''New'' Adventures of Superman" following this show's title. Several episodes of this show were adapted for the first few episodes of ''Lois & Clark'''s first season.

The later TV series ''Series/LoisAndClark'' is also known as "The ''New'' Adventures of Superman", following this show's title. Several episodes of this show were adapted for the first few episodes of ''Lois & Clark'''s first season.

* AdaptationalBadass: Clark Kent. Budget reasons required that Superman only show up in the last act, so the focus for most of the episode had to be on Clark. As a result, he was made less wimpy and bumbling than in the comic book and became essentially Superman in street clothes. This interpretation of Clark as "reflecting the real person" was used by Creator/JohnByrne in his "ComicBook/PostCrisis" revamp of Superman's origin, ''ComicBook/TheManOfSteel''. Byrne [[WordOfGod acknowledged]] George Reeves' portrayal as his inspiration. It subsequently found its way into later adaptations like ''Series/LoisAndClark'', ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries'', ''Series/{{Smallville}}'' and ''Film/ManOfSteel'' where Clark similarly isn't as wimpy.

Sadly, the series is now mostly remembered for George Reeves' mysterious death,[[note]]Fans are still arguing about whether it was murder or suicide[[/note]] which formed the basis of its own movie: ''Film/{{Hollywoodland}}'', where he was portrayed by Creator/BenAffleck.

[[quoteright:330:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/AOS_Cast_4653.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:330:Regular cast (L to R): Perry White, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Inspector Henderson. [[ClarkKenting Not pictured]]: Superman.]]

[[quoteright:330:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/george_reeves_superman_731.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:330:Oh, there he is.]]

* NamesTheSame:
** InUniverse use. A large, naive country bumpkin by the unlikely name of Sylvester J. Superman comes to town and happens to see a classified ad asking for Superman's help. Since he's Superman, he goes to help - delivering a lemon meringue pie to a remote Naval weather base in Alaska.
** An interesting straight example: "Jet Ace" features a reporter named Steve Martin. Not only is there a real Creator/SteveMartin, there's ''another'' fictional reporter from TheFifties with the same name (Creator/RaymondBurr's character in ''[[Film/GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters1956 Godzilla: King of the Monsters]]'')!

* ArmorPiercingSlap: At the end of "The Human Bomb", Lois marches up to Bet-a-Million Butler, declares, "Now it's ''my'' turn to blow up!" and slaps him hard enough to jolt his head backwards.

The first Franchise/{{Superman}} TV series, running from 1952 to 1958 and starring Creator/GeorgeReeves as the Man of Steel. The supporting cast included Creator/PhyllisCoates [[TheOtherDarrin and later]] Creator/NoelNeill as [[Characters/SupermanLoisLane Lois Lane]], Creator/JackLarson as [[Characters/SupermanJimmyOlsen Jimmy Olsen]], John Hamilton as Perry White, and Robert Shayne as [[CanonForeigner Inspector Henderson]]. Those actors that were still alive often had cameos in more modern Superman projects. This show is the way most children in the 1950s were introduced to Superman, and also the main reason that Jimmy Olsen got his own comic book.

* ReverseCerebusSyndrome: The first season was dramatically [[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness different]] from the rest of the series. The villains were more intense, there were several on-screen deaths, Superman fought with his fists, and Phyllis Coates played Lois as a tough, serious ActionGirl type. Subsequent seasons dialed the zaniness way UpToEleven, the villains [[NeverSayDie never died anymore]], and Superman almost never laid a finger on anyone--instead, the villains would obligingly knock themselves unconscious by barreling headlong into walls, doors, and each other's heads. [[TheOtherDarrin The new Lois]], Noel Neille, was much LighterAndSofter too.