TV THEME SONG-ville -- Episode 7
08/27/10 09:14 AM
By ED BARK
OK, this is part theme song, part recitation of Superman's powers by an authoritative guy named Bill Kennedy.
"Faster than a speeding bullet." Fire the gun. "More powerful than a locomotive." Showcase that train. "Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound." Cue the skyscraper.
But the narration was backed by a suitably thrilling orchestral backdrop that made virtually every kid of the '50s (guilty, your honor) want to suit up and jump off the family garage.
"Yes, it's Superman. Strange visitor from another planet."
He was played by George Reeves, who was ruled to have committed suicide after growing despondent over being typecast. But mystery still surrounds his death. So let's leave it at that while basking in this vintage introduction to The Adventures of Superman, which originally ran in syndication from 1952-'57.