Superman and the Mole Men

[dalekboy]

I'm still kind of wrecked, so today after episode 2 of Time and the Rani, I watched Superman and the Mole Men (1951) to help get the taste out of my mouth.

It was George Reeves' first go at playing Superman, and he did it well. Superman is a deadly serious and no-nonsense kind of guy in this. Not afraid to put people in their place by taking their guns, or giving the undeserving townsfolk an acidic comment.

What I really enjoyed was the idea that the humans are the bad guys. The Mole Men wander around doing no harm, but people decide to hunt them down out of fear.

Right from the get go, Superman is on the side of the little guys, defending them against the unreasoning humans. With all the talk of fear making people act irrationally, coming as it does in the early days of the McCarthy era, it was quite an adult direction for the flick.

As films go, it's a bit slow but mercifully short at just under 60 minutes. The production values are low, and the Mole Men are cheap. But I rather like Superman's characterisation, and the take on the base idea.

Quite reasonable for a piece of fifties sci-fi.

Comments

[king-espresso.livejournal.com]

Yeah, George Reeves was the man. Have you seen the Kirk Allyn Superman with the animated flying? That's pretty cool, too.

[dalekboy.livejournal.com]

George Reeves always reminds me of my dad. Similar bone structure and born around the same period, so both had that 1930's build.

One day I will see Kirk Alyn, one day... Just has to wait until I can afford them.

[greg tannahil (from livejournal.com)]

Hey, on a mostly unrelated note, how would you feel about some hanging out and watching of movies some time in the next week?

- Greg T

[dalekboy.livejournal.com]

It sounds most excellent!

[greg tannahil (from livejournal.com)]

Is that you in that usericon?

Consult with Sharon, if she wants in (and I hope she does!), and text me a date that works for you. I'm free weeknights this week, at least one of the two days of the weekend, and then pretty much any time next week.

[dalekboy.livejournal.com]

Cool, will let you know as soon as we know.

And yes, that is my bouncing arse.