Book Review: Flights of Fantasy

Book Review

"Flights of Fantasy" by Michael J. Hayde (Bear Manor Media), ISBN 1-59393-344-4

Illustrated. 539 pages.

Suggested Retail: $29.95 (Softcover)

Cover by Randy Garrett.

There are two kinds of people who like to read about movies, television shows and music. The first group would rather read a good overview with background stories and gossip. The second prefers to read all about the minute details of the production with background on the performers and the behind-the scenes workings. I fall somewhere in-between the two groups with leanings toward the latter.

If you're like me, then you will enjoy Michael J. Hayde's "Flights of Fantasy: The Unauthorized But True Story of Radio & TV's Adventures of Superman."

Michael Hayde has put together a book chock-full of technical details, script changes (including deleted/changed scenes that are found in the original scripts) , photographs and a detailed episode guide to both Adventures of Superman programs.

He focuses first on the radio Superman show with Bud Collyer as Clark Kent/Superman that debuted in 1942. Robert Maxwell produced the radio show and went on to produce the George Reeves (as Clark Kent/Superman) television series in 1951. After Kellogg's signed on as sponsor, the television series debuted in 1952 (or 1953, depending upon the location).

Tidbits of Superman trivia are sprinkled throughout the book (kryptonite made its first appearance in the radio show) along with humorous stories. One such story was of actor Dabbs Greer looking for a western costume for his role as Mr. Pebble in the "Superman Silver Mine" (1957) episode and finding that the one selected contained some curious stains. Obviously, the wearer (a famous western singing star) never wore underwear.

Hayde does discuss the death of George Reeves (which occurred 50 years ago today), but doesn't dwell on it.

With a book so loaded with details (as Hayde painstakingly provides), it is inevitable that some errors would be made. One such error is the statement that the Superman Museum in Metropolis, Illinois is the only place the public can view a George Reeves Superman costume. Not so. One is on display at the Experience Music/Science Fiction Museums in Seattle, Washington along with an Adam West Batman costume and a Burt Ward Robin costume. But such errors are relatively minor and don't detract from the book. I haven't yet seen "the perfect book" and I doubt that I ever will.

One really great thing about "Flights of Fantasy" is that Hayde provides details on all of his sources (I noticed that he referenced my G-FAN interview with Robert Shayne's daughter Stephanie). Not too many authors would go to the lengths Hayde does in providing his sources, except in a cursory way. There was nothing "cursory" about Hayde's approach, which is one of the big strengths of the book.

If you are a Superman fan or a fan of the golden ages of radio shows and television, this book is for you. It is a welcome addition to the library.

My grade: ***** out of *****.