TopCast:"Because you can handle the truth"  

Of those who have donned the crimson cape only one comes tomy mind when I think of Superman, not a bird, not a plane, it is GeorgeReeves.  When I was a kid I nevermissed an episode of The Adventures of Superman.  As a child I felt as though I had a personal relationshipwith the Man of Steel and I would be letting him down if I weren’t there towatch his show.  That was howSuperman affected me.  What Ididn’t know at that time was that the man influencing me had been dead forabout 4 years.  As the capedcrusader, George Reeves influenced my strong feelings in regard to truth,justice and the American Way.  Iwasn’t alone, a whole generation was touched by George Reeves.  Who could ask for a greater legacy?

His mysterious death has been examined and re-examinedseveral times.  There is a line-upof the usual suspects.  Even Reeveshimself stands in that line-up. The question I ask is, did Superman kill George Reeves?  The citizen from Krypton is oftenblamed for the murder but I am here to clear his name and Mr. Reeves as well.

For years The Adventures of Superman has run and re-run ontelevision.  It is said that onceMr. Reeves got the role, he laid down his cigarettes and refused to be seen inpublic with girlfriends because he knew he was going to be a role model.  How refreshing to think someone wouldtake that kind of responsibility. While he may have not been a choirboy, in light of today’s professionalathletes and performers George was truly a stand-up guy and when I was 5, hewas one of my role models.  Nobodyembodied the abstract ideals of truth, justice, and the American way likeSuperman.  Nobody portrayedSuperman like George Reeves.  Everyprogram left me charged up and optimistic that in the end all is well and thegood guy wins.  There are stillmany like me.  Google GeorgeReeves’ name and you’ll find several web sites filled with post from adultchildren from the 1950s and 1960s full of fond memories of Mr. Reeves.  One of the best sites I’ve run acrossis www.jimnolt.com.  Jim Nolt, one of the chief contributorsof the site gives us a great picture of George Reeves the man and was indeed asuper man.

George Reeves came to Hollywood with stardom in his sightsand he achieved it however, it would appear he discounted his own success.  Just as the railroads lost sight ofbeing in the transportation business and went broke trying to save trains,George Reeves’ idea of success was along the lines of being a leading man likeClark Gable and not a man running around in tights saving the world.  In the early days of television being atelevision star did not count for much. It would appear Mr. Reeves overlooked the millions of fans half his sizewho loved him.  Did Superman killGeorge Reeves?  Had he not takenthe role would he have been saved from the bullet?  Given the same career of Clark Gable would Reevessurvived?  I think not.  Seems to me had Mr. Reeves never beenSuperman he would have had the same habits, acquaintances and personalcircumstances.  Taking this intoconsideration I think he would have very well met the same demise.  I also believe that had he neverportrayed a super hero, Mr. Reeves would have still donated his time toThanksgiving diners for the poor and rolled up his sleeves to help others.  He would still have shared his sense ofhumor and goodwill.  With orwithout the cape his is death was truly a tragedy and our loss.  Had he not been Superman I would haveever known of him neither would the generations of kids he influenced.  Superman did not kill GeorgeReeves.  It is my opinion thatactually the Man of Steel was true to form and rescued the memory of a trulyunique individual.  A generous manwho helped the poor, volunteered to aide others, and made people on the setlaugh.  I also believe that a manwith his type of drive and the character would not have taken his ownlife.  He had too much toaccomplish and to live for to consider such a final exit at his own hand. 

Even today when I watch The Adventures of Superman I see thecharm of a man who flew through the air with the greatest of ease and I feel ahope and optimism that is faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than alocomotive and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.  George, I miss you.