Synopsis of Saturday Morning Show

Just in case you have never watched TV, read a book, seen a movie, or looked at the comics, here is a brief history of Superman:

Shortly before the planet Krypton exploded, Superman (then known by his birth name, Kal-El) was put into an escape rocket by his parents and sent off into space. After crash-landing on Earth, he was discovered by John and Martha Kent, who raised him as their son, Clark Kent. As young Kal-El/Clark grew, he discovered his various talents, such as incredibly powerful strength and the ability to fly. Relocating to Metropolis, Clark began to live a dual life, working as a reporter for the Daily Planet, but turning into Superman whenever trouble surfaced.

The character of Superman first left the comics pages in the 1930's, starring in several animated theatrical shorts. He then moved on to enjoy a successful radio show during the 40's, a popular live-action TV version starring George Reeves in the 1950’s, and even a 1966 Broadway musical before returning to the small screen in 1966, this time in animated form.

Almost ten years after the live-action TV show was cancelled, Superman starred in The New Adventures of Superman. The series utilized the same basic cast as the 1940's radio version, and consisted not only of stories about Superman’s world-saving exploits, but also of segments that showed him as a boy in rural Smallville. These segments featured super dog Krypto and Clark's first girlfriend, Lana Lang. Bud Collyer, who had provided Superman's voice for both the Fleischer cartoons and the radio broadcast, reprised his role in this version, too.

The strong point of this version was its faithfulness to the comic book. The show featured villains from the printed stories, like Mr. Mxyzptlk and Brainiac.

After a season, its title was changed to The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure, and Aquaman, the son of Atlantis, starred in segments of his own.
Aquaman, as his name suggests, really, really liked the water. The green-and-orange suited superhero could breathe underwater, swim at superhuman speeds and communicate with any of the ocean's inhabitants via aqua-telepathy. Luckily, all of Aquaman’s foes (Black Manta, The Fisherman, etc.) committed their crimes in or around the water, enabling him to ride to the rescue astride his giant seahorse, Storm.

Aquaman's junior companion Aqualad (a.k.a. Tadpole, Aquaman's ward in the comics) often assisted the blonde water-breather, while fellow Atlantean Mera, our hero's wife in the comic book series, rarely appeared in the animated series. The cartoon's Aqua clan also included a seahorse named Imp and a silly pet walrus named Tusky.

Aqualad was eventually spun off to his own segment, and along with Wonder Girl, Kid Flash and Speedy formed "The Teen Titans," a group of rising young superheroes.

Aquaman left for his own show in 1968, lasting only a single season without the Man of Steel's backing. The amphibious wonder went on to co-star in the long-running Super Friends series, ensuring that no water-based crimes would go unpunished.

Another Super Friend, Batman, joined up with the Man of Steel for the 1968 season in The Batman/Superman Hour of Adventure. The new pairing lasted only one more season, and by 1969, Supes was once again flying solo in The New Adventures of Superman.

Release History

9/9/67 - 9/5/70 CBS

TV Sub Categories

animated
action/adventure

TV Studio

Filmation

Television Cast

Superman/Clark Kent Bud Collyer
Lois Lane Jean Alexander
Jimmy Olsen Jack Grimes
Perry White Ted Knight
Superman Narrator Jackson Beck
Superboy Narrator Ted Knight
Superboy Bob Hastings
Lana Lang Janet Waldo
Aquaman Marvin Miller
Aqualad Jerry Dexter
Mera Diana Maddox
Aquaman Narrator Ted Knight
Tusky Ted Knight
Imp Ted Knight
Flash Cliff Owens
Kid Flash Tommy Cook
Wonder Girl Julie Bennett
Hawkman Gilbert Mack
The Atom Pat Harrington Jr.
Speedy Pat Harrington Jr.
Green Lantern Gerald Mohr
Kyro Paul Frees
Guardian of the Universe Paul Frees

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