"Superman Arraigned For Negligent Homicide!" screamed the newspaper headlines after the tragic death of Anne Carson (Judy Ann Nugent) as Superman (George Reeves) flew her unprotected around the world.
Well, this didn't actually occur in the television show Adventures of Superman, specifically, the cherished "Around The World With Superman" (1953). But it should have if the episode really took place in real life. It should be considered a major blooper.
For one thing, Superman flew the formerly-blind Anne Carson without any protection against the cold air (and, not to mention the high speeds they attained). In the Silver Age comic books, Superman would at least wrap his passenger in his cape for protection. Superman didn't wrap Anne with his cape. Since he flew her at high altitudes, she would have froze to death.
Next, there's a scene of Superman and Anne flying way above the Himalaya Mountains. Mount Everest, the highest peak in the Himalayas, has an elevation of 29,035 feet (8850m) (found to be 6' higher in 1999). Climbers of even shorter mountains have to wear protective clothing for the extreme cold conditions. And, they also have to carry oxygen as the air is so thin at high elevations.
Did Superman provide oxygen equipment or protective clothing for Anne? No, he didn't.
So, technically, Superman would have been guilty of negligent homicide in real life. So when Superman returned to the Daily Planet Building, he would have presented the reunited Mr. & Mrs. James Carson a frozen corpse.
Thankfully, it was only a television show.
Actually, Armand, the atmospheric conditions above the Himalayas were quite favorable, as witness the fact that Anne's breath did not show while conversing with Superman.
ReplyDelete"Thankfully, it was only a television show."
Indeed... and a fantasy show at that.
Yes, Mike, amazing Ann's (or Superman's) breath didn't show.
ReplyDelete"Indeed... and a fantasy show at that."
If you can accept a man in tights and a cape being able to fly...