Search - Superman Soundtrack :: The Adventures of Superman: Original Television Soundtrack (1950s TV Series)

Perchance to dream .......

T. Beers | Arlington, Virginia United States | 10/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Kudos to whoever at Varese Sarabande had the inspiration to release this disc. Here are all those wonderful snippets of background "mood music" that graced so many early television shows including, of course, the first season of "The Adventures of Superman." This music is so deeply embedded in my brain that the shows themselves are less well remembered. But, surely, others must remember a syndicated Western series "Stories of the Century" (starring Jim Davis)as well as a kazillion other early TV thrillers and B and C rated movies. As a matter of fact, check out my Amazon.com review of "Superman and the Mole Men" where I pan that movie's home videotape release because it does not contain this music. (The music heard on this CD was added later when the film was re-mixed as a two-part episode for the TV series; how pale and amateurish the film is without this glorious music!) Buy without delay and, if you're 45 or older, you will be astonished at how many buried yet vivid memories this CD dredges up!"

One of the most important TV soundtracks ever released

B. MCKERNAN | Westchester County NY | 03/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The medium of filmed episodic television was still in its infancy when "The Adventures of Superman" began production in 1951. Producers Luber and Maxwell were pioneers faced with the task of creating compelling half-hour "movies" featuring a character already well-known to juvenile (and adult)audiences from comic books, newspaper strips, theatrical cartoons, radio, and movie serials. Luber and Maxwell's excellent choices in terms of casting, direction, cinematography, and scripting were complemented by the powerful Mutel music library cues that punctuated this remarkable television series, a show that has been in constant distribution ever since. Its success encouraged later Superman projects, including one of the most successful motion-picture series ever made. Strongly influenced by the serial and film noir heritage of its production team, and by the newspaper and pulp fiction training of its writers, the first two seasons of "The Adventures of Superman" depicted a vivid mid-20th Century Metropolis where evil forces struggled constantly with the public good. Underscoring the vivid black & white cinematography and exceptional performances of superb character actors was the music heard in "The Adventures of Superman." Still powerful and compelling so many years later, this music set a standard for television to follow in subsequent years. Listening to this new release on CD reminds us of the energy and originality in television back then, of the mastery these creative talents had over their medium, and of the power music has to establish moods in visual entertainment. The music in this new CD serves as an archetype for dramatic television soundtracks, and as such is one of the most important such discs ever released. And if you saw this program on TV as a child, the music has the added ability to evoke moods and memories you may not have felt or thought of in decades. I only hope this is just the first volume to be released from "The Adventures of Superman." From both an historical and emotional perspective, this CD is one of the most important such discs ever released. I highly recommend it."

A Super Purchase

Lou Rocco | Metropolis, USA | 03/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you spent hours playing with that Aurora model of Superman crashing through the wall, or put on a red bathroom towel and jumped off the couch once to often, then this cd is for you. To say it is nostalgic is an understatement.The wax to disc transfer is amazing, leaving you with the impression that you are in the control room, the linear notes are superb, with information beyond belief. This music sends you back to the safe as mashed potatoes 1950's, when kids thought Superman was larger then life, and was so popular he even ended up on Lucy's ledge. All the music is here from that first season, so spend some time, close your eyes and you will still be able to see George Reeves and those little guys with the Electrolux coming out of the well."