"Truth, Justice, and the American way."

In the 1950's , George Reeves starred as Superman in a TV series. The opening credits ended with an announcer's voice declaring that Superman "fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way."

Recently I found the 1948 Superman movie theater serial online. (Movie theaters used to show lots of short features in addition to the main feature -- or even a double feature. ) It starred Kirk Alyn, the first actor to portray Superman in a live-action film.

I watched episode 1. As Clark Kent reaches adulthood, his adopted father, "Pa Kent" talks to him about his mission in life. "You must always fight for truth, tolerance, and justice."

I am guessing that in 1948, the producers were responding to the Nazi treatment of Jews. In 1952, they were responding to the Cold War.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

bijouxbroussard · F

My father, as a teenager in the segregated South, said that those Superman serials gave him hope for the future. Because things like "truth, tolerance and justice" may seem obvious today (well, perhaps until 2016). But then, they were such revolutionary ideas.

DrWatson · 70-79, M

@bijouxbroussard

I wonder whether he had these book-covers for his school books?

bijouxbroussard · F

@DrWatson I’ll have to ask him.

DrWatson · 70-79, M

@bijouxbroussard If he went to a Catholic school, chances are in those days he had to buy his books. He might not have covered them.

It was public schools, where kids return books at the end of the year for reuse by next year's class, that were fanatic about book covers! 😄

bijouxbroussard · F

@DrWatson That’s a good point, because I imagine he did.