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{{Short description|1951 superhero film directed by Lee Sholem}}
{{refimprove|date=December 2015}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Superman and the Mole Men
| name = Superman and the Mole Men
| image = Supermanmolemen.jpg
| image = Supermanmolemen.jpg
| caption = [[Film poster|Theatrical release poster]]
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Lee Sholem]]
| director = [[Lee Sholem]]
| producer = Barney A. Sarecky
| producer = [[Barney Sarecky]]
| writer = Richard Fielding
| writer = [[Robert Maxwell (producer)|Robert Maxwell]] <br/> [[Whitney Ellsworth]]
| based on = {{Based on|[[Superman]]||[[Jerry Siegel]]|[[Joe Shuster]]}}
| based_on = {{Based on|[[Superman]]||[[Jerry Siegel]]|[[Joe Shuster]]}}
| starring = [[George Reeves]]<br />[[Phyllis Coates]]<br />[[Jeff Corey]]<br />[[J. Farrell MacDonald]]<br />[[Stanley Andrews]]
| starring = [[George Reeves]] <br /> [[Phyllis Coates]] <br /> [[Jeff Corey]] <br /> [[J. Farrell MacDonald]] <br /> [[Stanley Andrews]]
| music = [[Darrell Calker]]<br />[[Walter Greene]]
| music = [[Darrell Calker]] <br /> [[Walter Greene]]
| cinematography = Clark Ramsey
| cinematography = Clark Ramsey
| editing = Albrecht Joseph
| editing = Albrecht Joseph
| studio = Lippert Pictures
| distributor = [[Lippert Pictures]]
| distributor = [[Lippert Pictures]]
| released = {{Film date|1951|11|23}}
| released = {{Film date|1951|11|06}}
| runtime = 58 minutes
| runtime = 58 minutes
| country = United States
| country = <!-- See guidelines for "Country" at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Infobox_film -->
| awards =
| language = English
| language = English
| budget =
}}
}}
'''''Superman and the Mole Men''''' is an [[independent film|independently made]] 1951 American [[black-and-white]] [[superhero film]] released by [[Lippert Pictures Inc.]] Produced by Barney A. Sarecky and directed by [[Lee Sholem]], it stars [[George Reeves]] as [[Superman]] and [[Phyllis Coates]] as [[Lois Lane]]. It is the first [[feature film]] based on any [[DC Comics]] character.
'''''Superman and the Mole Men''''' (titled onscreen as '''''Superman and the Mole-Men''''') is a 1951 American [[independent film|independent]] [[black-and-white]] [[superhero film]] released by [[Lippert Pictures]]. Produced by [[Barney A. Sarecky]] and directed by [[Lee Sholem]], it stars [[George Reeves]] as [[Superman]] and [[Phyllis Coates]] as [[Lois Lane]]. It is the first [[feature film]] based on any [[DC Comics]] character.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schelly |first1=William |title=American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1950s |date=2013 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=9781605490540 |pages=51–52}}</ref>


The film's storyline concerns reporters Clark Kent and Lois Lane arriving in the small town of Silsby to witness the drilling of the world's deepest oil well. The drill, however, has penetrated the underground home of a race of small, bald humanoids who, out of curiosity, climb to the surface at night. They glow in the dark, which scares the local townfolk, who form a mob intent on killing the strange visitors. Only Superman can intervene to prevent a tragedy.
The film's story centers on reporters Clark Kent ([[George Reeves]]) and Lois Lane ([[Phyllis Coates]]) arriving in the small town of Silsby to witness the drilling of the world's deepest oil well. The drill however has penetrated the underground home of a race of small, bald humanoids who, out of curiosity, climb to the surface at night. They glow in the dark, which scares the local townspeople who form a mob intent on killing the creatures. Only Superman can intervene to prevent tragedy.


==Plot==
==Plot==
Mild-mannered reporter [[Clark Kent]] and [[Lois Lane]] are sent to the small town of Silsby for the inauguration of the world's deepest oil well. The drill shaft has penetrated the deep underground home of the "Mole Men", a race of small, furry, though bald-headed [[humanoids]]. The Mole Men come up through the shaft at night, and when the creatures first emerge on the surface, their sudden appearance scares to death the elderly night watchman. Lois Lane and Clark Kent arrive at the oil well and find the dead watchman. Subsequently, help arrives. Clark Kent and the foreman are exploring the surrounding area for signs of intruders when Lois sees one of the creatures and screams. But no one believes her when she tells them what she saw.
[[Clark Kent]] and [[Lois Lane]] arrive in the small town of Silsby to report on the world's deepest oil well. That night, two small, furry, bald dwarf [[humanoid]]s emerge through the shaft and scare the elderly night watchman to death. Lois and Clark arrive at the oil well and find the dead watchman. Clark and the foreman explore the surrounding area for signs of foul play, but then Lois glimpses one of the creatures. However, no one believes her when she tells them what she saw.


The medical examiner is summoned, and he later leaves with Lois. Clark stays behind to confront the foreman, who confesses that the well was closed for fear that they had struck [[radium]] and not oil. The foreman proceeds to show Clark ore samples that were collected during different stages of drilling; all of them glow brightly.
The medical examiner is summoned, and he later leaves with Lois. Clark stays behind to confront the foreman, who confesses that the well was closed out of fear they had struck [[radium]] and not oil. The foreman proceeds to show Clark ore samples that were collected during different stages of drilling; all of them glow brightly.


The townspeople become afraid of the Mole Men because of their peculiar appearance and because everything that they touch glows in the dark (due to simple [[phosphorescence]]). They form an angry mob in order to kill the "monsters", directed by the violent Luke Benson. Superman is the only one able to resolve the conflict, stopping Benson and the mob. He saves one of the creatures after it has been shot by taking it to the hospital. The second creature returns to the well head and disappears down its shaft.
Meanwhile, the two Mole Men explore the town, but the residents become terrified because of their peculiar appearance and the fact that everything they touch glows in the dark due to [[phosphorescence]]. Soon, an angry mob forms, led by the violent Luke Benson ([[Jeff Corey]]), to kill the "monsters". Superman ([[George Reeves]]) stops Benson and the mob and saves one of the creatures in mid-air after it is shot from the top of a dam. While Superman takes it to the hospital, the second creature returns to the wellhead and disappears down its shaft.


Later, a doctor reveals that the injured creature will die unless he has surgery to remove the bullet. Clark Kent is forced to assist when the nurse refuses to do so out of fear. Soon afterward, Benson's mob arrives at the hospital demanding that the creature be given to them, causing Superman to stand guard outside the hospital. Lois Lane stands at Superman's side, until a shot is fired from the mob, narrowly missing her. Superman sends Lois inside and begins to relieve the mob of their rifles and pistols, sending them away.
A doctor announces that the injured creature will die unless it has surgery to remove the bullet. When a nurse refuses to do so out of fear, Clark volunteers to assist. Benson's mob arrives at the hospital demanding that the creature be turned over to them. Superman stands guard outside the hospital with Lois, but a shot is fired from the mob and narrowly misses her. Superman sends her inside and single-handedly disarms the mob.


Later, three more Mole Men emerge from the drill shaft, this time bearing a strange weapon. They make their way to the hospital. Benson and his mob see the creatures, and Benson goes after them alone. When the creatures see him, they fire their laser-like weapon at him. Superman sees this and jumps quickly in front of the pulsating ray, saving Benson's life, which Superman says "is more than you deserve!". He fetches the wounded creature from the hospital and returns him and his companions to the well head. Soon after, from deep underground, the Mole Men destroy the drill shaft, making certain that no one can come up or go down it ever again. Lois observes, "It's almost as if they were saying, 'You live your lives ... and we'll live ours'".
Three more Mole Men emerge from the drill shaft, this time bearing a strange weapon. They make their way to the hospital, where Benson and his mob see them; Benson decides to go after them alone. The creatures fire their laser-like weapon at him, but Superman jumps in front of the ray, saving Benson's life. Superman fetches the wounded creature from the hospital and carries him alongside his companions as they return to the wellhead. After descending back down, the Mole Men destroy the drill shaft, ensuring that no one can come up or go down it.


==Cast==
==Cast==
{{cast listing|
*[[George Reeves]] as [[Superman|Clark Kent / Superman]]
*[[Phyllis Coates]] as [[Lois Lane]]
* [[George Reeves]] as [[Superman|Kal-El / Clark Kent / Superman]]
*[[Jeff Corey]] as Luke Benson
* [[Phyllis Coates]] as [[Lois Lane]]
* [[Jeff Corey]] as Luke Benson
*[[Walter Reed (actor)|Walter Reed]] as Bill Corrigan
* [[Walter Reed (actor)|Walter Reed]] as Bill Corrigan, Mine Foreman
*[[J. Farrell MacDonald]] as Pop Shannon
*[[Stanley Andrews]] as The Sheriff
* [[J. Farrell MacDonald]] as Pop Shannon
*[[Ray Walker (actor)|Ray Walker]] as John Craig
* [[Stanley Andrews]] as The Sheriff
*[[Hal K. Dawson]] as Chuck Weber
* [[Ray Walker (actor)|Ray Walker]] as John Craig
* [[Hal K. Dawson]] as Chuck Weber
*Phil Warren as Deputy Jim
*[[Frank Reicher]] as Hospital Superintendent
* Phil Warren as Deputy Jim
* [[Frank Reicher]] as Hospital Superintendent
*[[Beverly Washburn]] as Child
* [[Beverly Washburn]] as Child
*[[Billy Curtis]] as a Mole-Man (uncredited)
* [[Billy Curtis]] as a Mole-Man (uncredited)
*[[Jerry Maren]] as a Mole-Man (uncredited)
* [[Jerry Maren]] as a Mole-Man (uncredited)
*[[Byron Foulger]] as Jeff Reagan (uncredited)
* [[Byron Foulger]] as Jeff Reagan (uncredited)
}}


==Themes==
==Themes==
The sympathetic treatment of the strangers in the film, and the unreasoning fear on the part of the townspeople, has been compared by author Gary Grossman to the panicked public reaction to the peaceful alien Klaatu in the science fiction film ''[[The Day The Earth Stood Still]]'', which was released the same year. Both have been considered retrospectively as the product of (and a reaction to) the [[Red Scare#Second_Red_Scare_.281947.E2.80.9357.29|"Red Scare"]] of post-[[World War II]] era. Grossman also cites the later film ''[[The Mole People]]'' (1956).
The sympathetic treatment of the strangers in the film, and the unreasoning fear on the part of the townspeople, has been compared by author Gary Grossman to the panicked public reaction to the peaceful alien Klaatu in the science fiction film ''[[The Day the Earth Stood Still]]'', which was released the same year. Both have been considered retrospectively as the product of (and a reaction to) the [[Red Scare#Second Red Scare .281947.E2.80.9357.29|"Red Scare"]] of the post-[[World War II]] era. Grossman also cites the later film ''[[The Mole People]]'' (1956).


==Production==
==Production==
[[File:1951Superman002.jpg|thumb|''Superman and the Mole Men'' was the first theatrical [[feature film]] based on any [[DC Comics]] character.]]''Superman and the Mole Men'' is the first theatrical [[feature film]] based on any [[DC Comics]] character. Previously, two live-action, multiple chapter [[movie serials]] from [[Columbia Pictures]] Inc., based on the Superman comics feature and radio program, featuring [[Kirk Alyn]] as Superman and [[Noel Neill]] as [[Lois Lane]], had been shown in weekly installments in movie theaters. Two additional serials based on DC's [[Batman]], the first featuring [[Lewis Wilson]] as Batman and [[Douglas Croft]] as [[Robin (comics)|Robin]]/[[Dick Grayson]], and the second featuring [[Robert Lowery (actor)|Robert Lowery]] as Batman and [[Johnny Duncan (actor)|Johnny Duncan]] as Robin/Dick Grayson, were also made by Columbia (1943 and 1950).
[[File:1951Superman002.jpg|thumb|''Superman and the Mole Men'' was the first theatrical [[feature film]] based on any [[DC Comics]] character.]]
''Superman and the Mole Men'' is the first theatrical [[feature film]] based on any [[DC Comics]] character. There had been a series of 17 animated [[Superman]] short subjects theatrically released by Paramount Pictures' Fleischer Studios. Two live-action, multiple chapter [[movie serials]] made by [[Columbia Pictures]] and featuring [[Kirk Alyn]] as Superman and [[Noel Neill]] as Lois Lane, had been shown in weekly installments in movie theaters. Two additional serials based on DC's [[Batman]], the first featuring [[Lewis Wilson]] as Batman and [[Douglas Croft]] as [[Robin (comics)|Robin]], and the second featuring [[Robert Lowery (actor)|Robert Lowery]] as Batman and [[Johnny Duncan (actor)|Johnny Duncan]] as Robin, were also made by Columbia in 1943 and 1949, respectively.

⚫
The image of actors Reeves and Coates on the theatrical release poster is a painting derived by reversing ("flopping") a publicity photograph image of the two actors, with Superman's "S shield" emblem then reversed in order for it to read correctly.


The original screenplay was by "Richard Fielding", a pseudonym for [[Robert Maxwell (producer)|Robert Maxwell]] and [[Whitney Ellsworth]].
The original screenplay was by "Richard Fielding", a pseudonym for [[Robert Maxwell (producer)|Robert Maxwell]] and [[Whitney Ellsworth]].


''Superman and the Mole Men'' was filmed in a little more than 12 days on a studio back lot and runs just 58 minutes. It originally served as a [[trial balloon]] release for the syndicated ''[[Adventures of Superman (TV series)|Adventures of Superman]]'' [[TV series]], for which it became the only two-part episode, "The Unknown People". Some elements of the original film were trimmed when converted for television, including some portions of a lengthy chase scene and all references to "Mole Men".
''Superman and the Mole Men'' was filmed in a little more than 12 days starting on July 10, 1951<ref>Ames, Walter. Los Angeles Times. July 6, 1951.</ref> at RKO-Pathé Studios. The feature runs just 58 minutes and originally served as a [[trial balloon]] release for the syndicated ''[[Adventures of Superman (TV series)|Adventures of Superman]]'' [[TV series]], for which it became the only two-part episode, titled "The Unknown People".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Grossman |first1=Gary |title=Superman: Serial to Cereal |date=1976 |publisher=Popular Library |pages=59–61}}</ref> Some elements of the original film were trimmed when converted for television, including some portions of a lengthy chase scene and all references to "Mole Men". The original [[film score]] by [[Darrell Calker]] was also removed, replaced with production library music also used in the first season of the series.
The theme music used for the film had a generic "science fiction sound", with nothing suggesting a specific Superman theme. The [[title cards]] used were similarly generic, with low-grade animation of comets sailing by [[Saturn]]-like ringed planets.

The film's original [[film score]] by [[Darrell Calker]] was removed when ''Superman and the Mole Men'' was re-cut into the two-part Superman TV episode. It was replaced with "canned" production library music used in the first season of the Superman television series.


The laser-like weapon of the Mole Men, which they retrieve from their subterranean home in order to defend themselves and rescue their injured comrade, was a prop made by adding metal shoulder braces to one end of an [[Electrolux]] [[vacuum cleaner]] body; for the ray's "gun barrel" a standard metal funnel was attached to the other.
The laser-like weapon of the Mole Men, which they retrieve from their subterranean home in order to defend themselves and rescue their injured comrade, was a prop made by adding metal shoulder braces to one end of an [[Electrolux]] [[vacuum cleaner]] body; for the ray's "gun barrel" a standard metal funnel was attached to the other.


⚫
The image of actors Reeves and Coates on the theatrical release poster is a painting derived by reversing ("flopping") a publicity photograph image of the two actors, with Superman's "S shield" emblem then reversed in order for it to read correctly.
==Home media==

⚫
''Superman and the Mole Men'' was first released on [[VHS]] and [[LaserDisc]] by [[Warner Home Video]] on July 22, 1988, coinciding with the 50th anniversary celebrations of the [[Superman]] character that year. Both the two-part TV episode and the full feature are on the 2005 first season [[DVD]] release for ''Adventures of Superman''. During 2006, the film was released as a bonus feature on the DVD 4-Disc Special Edition of ''[[Superman (1978 film)|Superman: The Movie]]''. ''Superman and the Mole Men'' received a [[Blu-Ray]] box set release in 2011. In 2017 Cheezy Movies released it on [[DVD]].
==Release==
The film was released to theaters on November 6, 1951.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Southern Illinoisan |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/78524132/ |website=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

''Superman and the Mole Men'' was first released on [[VHS]] by [[Warner Home Video]] on July 22, 1987, coinciding with the 50th anniversary celebrations of the [[Superman]] character that year.

⚫
Both the two-part TV episode and the full feature are on the 2005 first season [[DVD]] release for ''Adventures of Superman''. During 2006, the film was released as a bonus feature on the DVD 4-Disc Special Edition of ''[[Superman (1978 film)|Superman: The Movie]]'', then again as a bonus feature on a [[Blu-ray]] (presented in standard definition) box set in 2011.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

* Grossman, Gary. ''Superman: Serial to Cereal'', 1976.
==Sources==
* [[Bill Warren (film historian and critic)|Warren, Bill]]. ''Keep Watching the Skies: American Science Fiction Films of the Fifties'', 21st Century Edition. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, 2009 (First Edition 1982). {{ISBN|0-89950-032-3}}.
* [[Bill Warren (film historian and critic)|Warren, Bill]]. ''Keep Watching the Skies: American Science Fiction Films of the Fifties'', 21st Century Edition. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, 2009 (First Edition 1982). {{ISBN|0-89950-032-3}}.


Line 82: Line 85:
* {{IMDb episode|0506642|The Unknown People: Part I}}
* {{IMDb episode|0506642|The Unknown People: Part I}}
* {{IMDb episode|0506643|The Unknown People: Part II}}
* {{IMDb episode|0506643|The Unknown People: Part II}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|superman_and_the_molemen}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|superman_and_the_mole_men}}

{{Superman in other media}}
{{Superman in other media}}
{{DC Comics films}}
{{DC Comics films}}
{{Authority control}}

<!--[[WP:FILMCAT]]-->
<!--[[WP:FILMCAT]]-->
<!--Year categories-->
<!--Year categories-->
Line 91: Line 95:
[[Category:1951 films]]
[[Category:1951 films]]
[[Category:Superman films]]
[[Category:Superman films]]
[[Category:Live-action films based on DC Comics]]
[[Category:Adventures of Superman (TV series)]]
[[Category:Adventures of Superman (TV series)]]
[[Category:American black-and-white films]]
[[Category:American black-and-white films]]
⚫
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Lee Sholem]]
[[Category:Films directed by Lee Sholem]]
[[Category:Lippert Pictures films]]
[[Category:Lippert Pictures films]]
⚫
[[Category:1950s superhero films]]
[[Category:1950s English-language films]]
[[Category:English-language action films]]

Latest revision as of 07:15, 7 January 2025

Superman and the Mole Men
Theatrical release poster
Directed byLee Sholem
Written byRobert Maxwell
Whitney Ellsworth
Based on
Superman
by
Produced byBarney Sarecky
StarringGeorge Reeves
Phyllis Coates
Jeff Corey
J. Farrell MacDonald
Stanley Andrews
CinematographyClark Ramsey
Edited byAlbrecht Joseph
Music byDarrell Calker
Walter Greene
Distributed byLippert Pictures
Release date
  • November 6, 1951 (1951-11-06)
Running time
58 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Superman and the Mole Men (titled onscreen as Superman and the Mole-Men) is a 1951 American independent black-and-white superhero film released by Lippert Pictures. Produced by Barney A. Sarecky and directed by Lee Sholem, it stars George Reeves as Superman and Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane. It is the first feature film based on any DC Comics character.[1]

The film's story centers on reporters Clark Kent (George Reeves) and Lois Lane (Phyllis Coates) arriving in the small town of Silsby to witness the drilling of the world's deepest oil well. The drill however has penetrated the underground home of a race of small, bald humanoids who, out of curiosity, climb to the surface at night. They glow in the dark, which scares the local townspeople who form a mob intent on killing the creatures. Only Superman can intervene to prevent tragedy.

Plot

[edit]

Clark Kent and Lois Lane arrive in the small town of Silsby to report on the world's deepest oil well. That night, two small, furry, bald dwarf humanoids emerge through the shaft and scare the elderly night watchman to death. Lois and Clark arrive at the oil well and find the dead watchman. Clark and the foreman explore the surrounding area for signs of foul play, but then Lois glimpses one of the creatures. However, no one believes her when she tells them what she saw.

The medical examiner is summoned, and he later leaves with Lois. Clark stays behind to confront the foreman, who confesses that the well was closed out of fear they had struck radium and not oil. The foreman proceeds to show Clark ore samples that were collected during different stages of drilling; all of them glow brightly.

Meanwhile, the two Mole Men explore the town, but the residents become terrified because of their peculiar appearance and the fact that everything they touch glows in the dark due to phosphorescence. Soon, an angry mob forms, led by the violent Luke Benson (Jeff Corey), to kill the "monsters". Superman (George Reeves) stops Benson and the mob and saves one of the creatures in mid-air after it is shot from the top of a dam. While Superman takes it to the hospital, the second creature returns to the wellhead and disappears down its shaft.

A doctor announces that the injured creature will die unless it has surgery to remove the bullet. When a nurse refuses to do so out of fear, Clark volunteers to assist. Benson's mob arrives at the hospital demanding that the creature be turned over to them. Superman stands guard outside the hospital with Lois, but a shot is fired from the mob and narrowly misses her. Superman sends her inside and single-handedly disarms the mob.

Three more Mole Men emerge from the drill shaft, this time bearing a strange weapon. They make their way to the hospital, where Benson and his mob see them; Benson decides to go after them alone. The creatures fire their laser-like weapon at him, but Superman jumps in front of the ray, saving Benson's life. Superman fetches the wounded creature from the hospital and carries him alongside his companions as they return to the wellhead. After descending back down, the Mole Men destroy the drill shaft, ensuring that no one can come up or go down it.

Cast

[edit]

Themes

[edit]

The sympathetic treatment of the strangers in the film, and the unreasoning fear on the part of the townspeople, has been compared by author Gary Grossman to the panicked public reaction to the peaceful alien Klaatu in the science fiction film The Day the Earth Stood Still, which was released the same year. Both have been considered retrospectively as the product of (and a reaction to) the "Red Scare" of the post-World War II era. Grossman also cites the later film The Mole People (1956).

Production

[edit]
Superman and the Mole Men was the first theatrical feature film based on any DC Comics character.

Superman and the Mole Men is the first theatrical feature film based on any DC Comics character. There had been a series of 17 animated Superman short subjects theatrically released by Paramount Pictures' Fleischer Studios. Two live-action, multiple chapter movie serials made by Columbia Pictures and featuring Kirk Alyn as Superman and Noel Neill as Lois Lane, had been shown in weekly installments in movie theaters. Two additional serials based on DC's Batman, the first featuring Lewis Wilson as Batman and Douglas Croft as Robin, and the second featuring Robert Lowery as Batman and Johnny Duncan as Robin, were also made by Columbia in 1943 and 1949, respectively.

The original screenplay was by "Richard Fielding", a pseudonym for Robert Maxwell and Whitney Ellsworth.

Superman and the Mole Men was filmed in a little more than 12 days starting on July 10, 1951[2] at RKO-Pathé Studios. The feature runs just 58 minutes and originally served as a trial balloon release for the syndicated Adventures of Superman TV series, for which it became the only two-part episode, titled "The Unknown People".[3] Some elements of the original film were trimmed when converted for television, including some portions of a lengthy chase scene and all references to "Mole Men". The original film score by Darrell Calker was also removed, replaced with production library music also used in the first season of the series.

The laser-like weapon of the Mole Men, which they retrieve from their subterranean home in order to defend themselves and rescue their injured comrade, was a prop made by adding metal shoulder braces to one end of an Electrolux vacuum cleaner body; for the ray's "gun barrel" a standard metal funnel was attached to the other.

The image of actors Reeves and Coates on the theatrical release poster is a painting derived by reversing ("flopping") a publicity photograph image of the two actors, with Superman's "S shield" emblem then reversed in order for it to read correctly.

Release

[edit]

The film was released to theaters on November 6, 1951.[4]

Superman and the Mole Men was first released on VHS by Warner Home Video on July 22, 1987, coinciding with the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Superman character that year.

Both the two-part TV episode and the full feature are on the 2005 first season DVD release for Adventures of Superman. During 2006, the film was released as a bonus feature on the DVD 4-Disc Special Edition of Superman: The Movie, then again as a bonus feature on a Blu-ray (presented in standard definition) box set in 2011.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Schelly, William (2013). American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1950s. TwoMorrows Publishing. pp. 51–52. ISBN 9781605490540.
  2. ^ Ames, Walter. Los Angeles Times. July 6, 1951.
  3. ^ Grossman, Gary (1976). Superman: Serial to Cereal. Popular Library. pp. 59–61.
  4. ^ "The Southern Illinoisan". Newspapers.com.

Sources

[edit]
  • Warren, Bill. Keep Watching the Skies: American Science Fiction Films of the Fifties, 21st Century Edition. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, 2009 (First Edition 1982). ISBN 0-89950-032-3.
[edit]
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