The Superman Plaque Dedication

Above, a special cover by Steven Kirk over the plaque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

About 75 bleary-eyed Adventures of Superman fans gathered for an early Saturday morning plaque dedication in Tarzana, California commemorating the 1953 episode of the Adventures of Superman titled, "The Man Who Could Read Minds" and to celebrate the centennial birthdays of Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and television's first Superman, George Reeves.

Above, Superman fans beginning to assemble for plaque dedication. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The fans were joined for the ceremony by Jack Larson (Jimmy Olsen), Stephanie Shayne Parkin (daughter of Robert Shayne, who played Inspector Henderson on the show), Laura Siegel Larson (daughter of Jerry Siegel) and actress Beverly Washburn (who appeared in Superman and the Mole Men).

Above, the arrival of Jack (Jimmy Olsen) Larson. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Jim Nolt and I shared the M.C. duties at the dedication. Since I couldn't M.C. and take pictures at the same time, I handed off my camera to Steven Kirk, who was also a member of the event planning committee.

Above, Stephanie Shayne Parkin with her father's cane. Photo by Steven Kirk.

Stephanie Parkin spoke of the episode as being the first time she and her brother were able to visit a location filming of the show and brought along a framed display of snapshots of that visit. She also brought along her father's cane. When she spoke she had me hold the cane for her. If there are any photos of me floating around holding a cane, that was Bob Shayne's cane, so you won't get the wrong impression.

Above, Jack Larson addresses the gathering. Photo by Steven Kirk.

Laura Siegel Larson spoke of her father's admiration of Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Burroughs and that her father wanted to visit his grave when the Siegel family moved to California.

Jack Larson spoke of his memories of the show and the dedication jogged a memory of his fight with the phantom burglar a few doors away on Wilbur Avenue.

Above, the unveiling. Photo by Steve Brant.

When it came time to unveil the plaque to those assembled, we had Stepanie Shayne Parkin, Laura Siegel Larson and Jacqueline Hamilton, the granddaughter of John Hamilton (who played Daily Planet Editor Perry White on the show) do the honors. They were joined in the unveiling by Jack Larson.

Above, following the ceremony, I provided some background information to the Daily News. Photo by Steven Kirk.

Among those in attendance were Gary Grossman, who wrote the first book on the Adventures of Superman, "Superman, Serial To Cereal" and actor/writer Ted Newsom.

Following the plaque dedication, everyone headed to the Beverly Garland Hotel for a luncheon. More on the luncheon in another blog post.