Unless you've been living under a rock since 1938, you've probably heard of Superman. Perhaps the most famous character to have originated in American comic books, Superman more or less created the superhero genre and helped codify many of its archetypes. The last son of Krypton has been one of pop culture's most enduring figures, having been translated into radio and television shows, movies, cartoons, toys, and practically everything else you can think of.
As far as his live-action portrayals go, everyone most commonly associates Superman with the late Christopher Reeve. But while Reeve's movies introduced the character to a whole new generation of fans, he was not the first person to don the red and blue tights in a feature film. That honor would go to George Reeves, the star of the Adventures of Superman TV series, which aired in syndication in the '50s.
As a trial run for the yet-to-premiere television show, the movie Superman and the Mole Men was produced and released to theaters. With Reeves taking over the role from Kirk Alyn, who played the Man of Steel in a pair of serials in 1948 and 1950, the movie has become something of a forgotten part of Superman's cinematic history. But how does it hold up, though?
Our story takes us to the small town of Silsby, home of the world's deepest oil well. The drilling of said well has drawn the attention of intrepid reporters Clark Kent (Reeves) and Lois Lane (Phyllis Coates), who are covering the story for the Daily Planet.
Unbeknownst to the drillers, the drill has penetrated the subterranean lair of the "mole men," a race of small, odd-looking people. Their strange appearance, coupled with the fact that everything they touch begins to glow, sends Silsby's citizens into a panic. A lynch mob led by the violent Luke Benson (Jeff Corey) quickly forms, and it's up to Kent's alter ego, the heroic Superman, to save the day.
Okay, so the plot isn't very complex. But when you remember that it's more or less a 58-minute test pilot for a television show that wouldn't start airing for another year, a simple plot isn't really all that surprising. That said, Superman and the Mole Men isn't really that much of a movie. It probably would have worked better as an episode of The Adventures of Superman instead. (It actually was re-edited and broadcast as a two-part episode of the show.)
Judging it on its own merits, though, I didn't think it was all that bad. While the special effects are a bit primitive and the makeup for the mole men is kinda cheesy, there's something charming and likable about it. It's an innocent adventure that can be enjoyed by everyone, without the burdens of adult drama or themes like other, more recent superhero movies. And there's not a thing wrong with that.
In the director's chair is Lee Sholem, who would go on to direct fourteen episodes of The Adventures of Superman. He has a rather extensive résumé in the world of television, and his experience is obvious in his work on this movie. It looks exactly like what you'd expect a TV show from the '50s to look like. The extensive use of studio backlots and the way scenes are structured and filmed make that easy to see.
But while Sholem's work (and the movie's obviously low budget) makes it feel more like a TV show than a movie, that doesn't mean he did a bad job. He manages to keep things exciting and entertaining, and doesn't let the movie get boring. And really, that's all you can ask for sometimes.
Handling the writing is "Richard Fielding," a joint pseudonym for Robert Maxwell and Whitney Ellsworth. As I said, the plot isn't very complex at all. It's really just an anti-paranoia morality tale, which was timely in an era where everyone was afraid of the so-called Communist menace. There's not a lot to it beyond that, though, so if you're looking for deep storytelling, I don't think this is where you'll find it.
The best part of the movie, though, is the acting. In the primary roles of Clark Kent and Superman, George Reeves is all aces. He is charming, playing both Clark and Superman with a forceful confidence that makes it hard not to think of him as a hero. Reeves defined Superman for a generation, and in this, his first appearance in the cape and tights, I can see why.
As Lois Lane, Phyllis Coates is engaging, enjoyable, and entertaining. She plays the perfect foil for Clark, and in a nice change of pace, doesn't get all weak in the knees when she's around Superman. Most depictions of Lois outside of the comics have that happen, but Coates goes the opposite way. This allows her to make more of an impression, and the character and the movie are better for it.
The rest of the cast is mostly disposable, but I thought Jeff Corey was great as the movie's villain. He plays the role as the meanest, vilest snake possible, and though he's no Lex Luthor, Corey is a good enough villain for what the movie needed.
While the movie would probably be more comparable to Smallville or Lois & Clark than it would be to the five big-budget movies, Superman and the Mole Men isn't bad at all. At its worst, it's an hour of harmless, inoffensive fun that I'm sure will be a treat for the Superman fans who have yet to actually see it. And even if you don't like it, you'll probably come away thinking it was better than Superman IV.
Final Rating: ***½
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