12. George Reeves contracted to portray Superman on the new medium of television
George Reeves film acting career began with a considerable bang. He appeared in the opening scene of 1939’s Gone with The Wind, alongside Vivian Leigh and Fred Crane. Reeves was one of the Tarleton twins begging Scarlett O’Hara to share barbecue with them. Despite his auspicious start, his acting career did not go well and when he was offered the part of Superman on the medium of television he only reluctantly accepted. Worried about becoming typecast, he nonetheless recognized the need for work. His first project as Superman was in a B picture, intended to introduce him as the superhero in the television series, set to begin broadcasting in 1952. The film was Superman and the Mole Men. In the story, Lois and Clark are sent to a small town where the deepest oil well in the world revealed some strange events.
Small, humanoid figures emerged from the well, and explored the town, raising fears among the townspeople. When one of the so-called Mole Men was shot, Superman intervenes. In the course of the film, he protects both the Mole Men and the townspeople when the creatures attempt to defend themselves. The first theatrical film to feature a DC Comics character, Superman and the Mole Men gave a prequel of how George Reeves would portray Superman in the upcoming television series. The film, though only moderately successful, was later adapted as a two-part episode on Adventures of Superman, the vehicle which made George Reeves a major star, though a regrettably typecast actor.