Phyllis Coates 99th Birthday

Above, Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane in the Adventures of Superman.

Today marks 99 years that actress Phyllis Coates was born.

From Wikipedia:

Phyllis Coates (born Gypsie Ann Evarts Stell; January 15, 1927 – October 11, 2023) was an American actress with a career spanning over fifty years. She was best known for her portrayal of reporter Lois Lane in the 1951 film Superman and the Mole Men and in the first season of the television series Adventures of Superman.

Above, Phyllis Coates and yours truly in 2007. Photo by Carl Glass.

 I had the pleasure of meeting her in 2007 at a Hollywood Collectors Show in Burbank.  

Siskel & Ebert Review "Superman and the Mole Men"

Way back when, film critic Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert managed to give a mini review of Superman's first feature film, Superman and the Mole Men (1951) starring George Reeves, Phyllis Coates and Jeff Corey.

Their review was favorable, although they poked some fun with the Mole Men, saying they "looked like midgets wearing shower caps." They liked the nostalgia aspect of the movie.

They also take a look at Kirk Alyn's Superman (1948).

"Superman and the Mole Men" (1951) Review (Video)

Above, George Reeves and Phyllis Coates photo from Superman and the Mole Men autographed by Coates.

Last evening, I viewed this review of the "pilot" movie to the Adventures of Superman, "Superman and the Mole Men" (1951) starring George Reeves, Phyllis Coates, Jeff Corey and Walter Reed. It was the first Superman feature movie.

The story involves an oil well in Silsby, Texas that was the deepest oil well at six miles deep. The mole men came to the surface from the well.

Here's the review: 

Interestingly, although Silsby, Texas of the movie was fictitious, there is a Silsbee, Texas near Beaumont. 

Here's its location: 

Definitely Not A Kiddie Show

The first (1951) season of the Adventures of Superman starring George Reeves was definitely not a "kiddie show".

Here is episode 5, "The Monkey Mystery", which had Cold War and anti-atomic bomb themes. Along with that, violence against Lois Lane (Phyllis Coates) and the daughter of an Eastern European scientist (with blood) on a train and the murder of an organ grinder are featured. 

Here's a clip from the episode (the conclusion):

Superman 1951 Location

During the 1951 season of the Adventures of Superman, in the "Secret of Superman" episode, there is a stock footage shot of a police car with the Barclay Apartments in the background.

Here is a screen capture from the episode:

I did some checking and the Barclay Apartments are still in existence. They are located at 706 S Normandie Ave, Los Angeles, CA near Wilshire Blvd.

This photo is from the Apartment Guide website:

Hollywood Reporter On Passing of Phyllis Coates

Above, Phyllis Coates and Armand in 2007. Photo by Carl Glass.

The first press report on the passing of actress Phyllis Coates has been posted by the Hollywood Reporter.

It begins with:

Phyllis Coates, the first actress to play Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane on television, only to leave the Adventures of Superman after just one season, has died. She was 96.

Coates, who also appeared in Republic Pictures serials and in such films as I Was a Teenage Frankenstein, died Wednesday of natural causes at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, her daughter Laura Press told The Hollywood Reporter.

A native of Wichita Falls, Texas, Coates first portrayed the headstrong Lois opposite George Reeves as the Man of Steel in the dark sci-fi movie Superman and the Mole Men (1951).

 To read the full article, go here.

Phyllis Coates, R. I. P.

Above, Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane in 1951.

Sad news has been announced in the world of Superman.

Phyllis Coates, the Adventures of Superman Lois Lane during its first (1951) season, has passed away.

Above, George Reeves and Phyllis Coates in Superman and the Mole Men.

Jim Nolt posted the following on Twitter (now known as X):

Phyllis Coates, the last of the Superman's regular cast, has passed away at the age of 96.

Above, Phyllis Coates in 2007. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I met Phyllis Coates at a Hollywood collectors show in 2007.

I would never post the following while Noel Neill was still alive as she was a friend. Of the two Lois Lanes in the Adventures of Superman, Phyllis Coates was my favorite. Objectively, she portrayed a newspaper reporter with a steel spine and the chemistry between her and George Reeves was unmatched. Noel did an excellent job with the scripts she was given, but I thought Phyllis brought more realism and believability to the role.

Above, Phyllis Coates and yours truly in 2007. Photo by Carl Glass.

While it is sad there's no remaining cast members left, but their work will live on in film for generations to come.

My condolences to the family and friends of Phyllis Coates.

UPDATE:

Jim Nolt posted the following at the Adventures Continue Facebook page:

Bruce Dettman received word early this morning that Phyllis passed away at 1:07pm PT on October 11. I don't have any further information.

71 Years of "Adventures of Superman"

Yesterday marked 71 years since the Adventures of Superman starring George Reeves hit the airwaves for the first time. It aired on Chicago's WENR.

Filmed in 1951, the syndicated series languished until a sponsor could be found. Eventually, Kellogg's Cereals of Battle Creek, Michigan stepped up and became its prime sponsor.

The into included Kellogg's sponsorship:

Dennis Hays posted the following on Facebook:

On this date September 19, 1952 the Adventures of Superman makes its television debut on Chicago's WENR. 

The show is the first television series to feature Superman and began filming in 1951 in California on RKO-Pathé stages and the RKO Forty Acres back lot. It was sponsored by cereal manufacturer Kellogg's. The show was produced for first-run television syndication. 

As a syndicated show sold separately in every market, Adventures of Superman did not have an official national premiere date. Here are some of the dates and markets for the launch of the series. 

September 19, 1952 at WENR in Chicago

February 9, 1953 at KECA in Los Angeles (later known as KABC).

April 1, 1953 on WJZ in New York (later known as WABC).

And various other dates in smaller markets. 

On April 8, 1953, Variety reviewed the April 1 New York premiere, writing, "It's to National Comics credit that its television version is restrained on the scripting side and well done technically ... Filming is top-notch, with no expense spared to get those special effects. George Reeves, who acts Superman, doesn't have too much of a role in the initial pix, since most of it deals with boyhood of the hero, but he registered nicely as the meek reporter and as the hero. Phyllis Coates was okay as Lois Lane, the girl reporter, while John Hamilton fits the fictitious concept of the editor. Other roles were well handled."

It is kind of hard to believe that the show is over 70 years old. Then again, I will be hitting 70 next year and I drive a Willys Jeep that's 71 years old. That's also hard to believe sometimes.

Jerry Maren Autograph

Yesterday, while digging around my bedroom closet looking for something else, I found some large envelopes and folders containing portrait photos of my parents and daughter.

Also, I found several autographed photos from different celebrities. Included was one of actor Jerry Maren, who was one of the Munchkins from the Wizard of Oz (1939) and a Mole Man from Superman and The Mole Men (1951).

Looking at the date of the autographed item, it was from 2005. Maren passed away on May 24, 2018 at age 98. He is buried at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.

Happy Birthday Phyllis Coates

Above, George Reeves and Phyllis Coates in Superman and the Mole Men.

Today actress Phyllis Coates, the last remaining cast member of the Adventures of Superman, is celebrating her 95th birthday today.

I met her once at the Hollywood Collectors Show in Burbank in 2007. 

Above, Phyllis Coates and yours truly at the Hollywood Collectors Show. Photo by Carl Glass.

A biography (from Wikipedia):

Phyllis Coates is an American actress best known for her portrayal of reporter Lois Lane in the 1951 film Superman and the Mole Men and in the first season of the television series Adventures of Superman.

Coates played Lois Lane in the first season of Adventures of Superman. Noel Neill, who had played Lois Lane in two Columbia Superman serials, in 1948 and 1950, replaced Coates, who was not available for the second season. With the death of Noel Neill on July 3, 2016, Coates became the last surviving regular cast member from the Adventures of Superman TV series.

Coates's Superman fame has obscured the fact that she was one of Hollywood's most consistently employed actresses of the 1950s and 1960s. She freelanced steadily, appearing in numerous low-budget features, many of them westerns, as well as serials and a steady stream of TV appearances, both as a regular in several series and as a guest cast member in others.

A big Happy Birthday to Phyllis Coates!

Phyllis Coates Named "Saturday Sultress" By The Federalist Blog

Above, Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane.

Over at The Federalist blog, actress Phyllis Coates (television's first Lois Lane) has be named this week's "Saturday Sultress".

According to the blog post:

Phyllis Coates (born January 15, 1927) is an American actress best known for her portrayal of reporter Lois Lane in the 1951 film Superman and the Mole Men and in the first season of the television series Adventures of Superman.

Above, yours truly with Phyllis Coates at a Hollywood collectors show. Photo by Carl Glass.

To read more, go here. (Beware, it is a political blog.)

Margot Kidder

Many news outlets have written that Margot Kidder was the "definitive" Lois Lane. While I thought she did an excellent job, I wouldn't say she was "definitive". She was better as Lois Lane than Christopher Reeve was as Superman. He was good as the Man of Steel, but I just couldn't stand his take as Clark Kent.

If anyone was a "definitive" Lois Lane, my vote goes to Phyllis Coates, who played Lois during the first season of Adventures of Superman in the 1950s. I just feel the chemistry between Coates and George Reeves was perfect. In second place (which is not an insult to her memory) was Noel Neill, who was first to play the role in the Kirk Alyn serials and Kidder (yes, a tie). Teri Hatcher comes in a close third. The rest, nothing memorable about them.

Kidder died yesterday at the age of 69. It was reported by The Guardian that the cause of her death was throat cancer. 69 is much too young (especially so since I am five years younger) of an age to die.

She had her demons, such as being bi-polar, but she persevered through the tough times and continued acting and appearing at fan conventions. I have met Phyllis Coates and was a friend of Noel Neill, but I never had the privilege of meeting Margot Kidder.

Passing at 69 is too young and too soon. Apparently, someone upstairs had other plans for her.

Rest in peace.

Phyllis Coates Turns 90 Today

Above, George Reeves and Phyllis Coates.

Television's first Lois Lane, Phyllis Coates, turned 90 today.

She was born on January 15, 1927 in Wichita Falls, Texas as Gypsie Ann Evarts Stell.

Above, Phyllis Coates and Armand in 2007. Photo by Carl Glass.

She first portrayed Lois Lane in the 1951 feature, Superman and the Mole Men. She continued in the role during the first season (filmed in 1951) of the Adventures of Superman, sharing star billing with
George Reeves. She departed the series after the first season.

She is the last living main cast member of the Adventures of Superman.

Happy Birthday, Phyllis Coates!

Some Details On Jack Larson's Passing

Above, Jack Larson and Noel Neill in 2005. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The sudden and unexpected passing of Jack Larson shocked his friends and fans.

Jim Nolt, who runs The Adventures Continue website, posted yesterday:

A short while ago I learned that Jack's only complaint of late was being more tired than usual... and he died peacefully on his patio with his dog by his side.

Given this, I would hazard a guess that he probably suffered a massive heart attack and slipped away without even being aware that the end was near. He essentially "died on his feet". We should all be so lucky to depart in this way. There's no word as yet on any funeral services for Jack.

Larry Ward reported that the news of Jack's passing saddened and devastated Noel Neill, although she took the news well. She considered Jack to be her oldest and closest friend. Actress Phyllis Coates was also saddened by the news.

Noel and Phyllis are now the remaining two stars of the Adventures of Superman.

CBS News paid tribute to Jack during their network news broadcast last night.

UPDATE: Phyllis Coates posted the following at Legacy.com:

I've always cherished working with you so many years ago in the 'Adventures of Superman'. You were always so good-natured among the entire cast and crew. I know you're with all our other cast members who've preceded you in their journey to Heaven. 

E. Clem Wilson Building Has No Advertiser, But Ugly Blue Boxes Remain

Above, the E. Clem Wilson Building while Samsung leased the sign space.

The 1929 art deco building that sits at the northeast corner of Wilshire Blvd. and La Brea Ave. in Los Angeles is now without an advertising sign at its top, but ugly blue boxes remain.

According to Curbed Los Angeles:

The boxy blue hat that sits atop the 12-story E. Clem Wilson Building at La Brea and Wilshire has been wiped clean of its big white "Samsung", noticeably altering the skyline along Wilshire without improving it too much. The building's long-time manager tells the Beverly Press that Samsung just didn't renew their lease, so while the blue box remains, the white letters have disappeared, leaving only a faint outline of the company's name. "Samsung doesn't lease an office space. They just did the advertising on the building," he says.

Why is this blog post about an old Los Angeles office building posted? Well, the E. Clem Wilson Building is a major landmark to fans of the Adventures of Superman television show.

The building was used as the Daily Planet Building during the show's first season filmed in 1951. Those are the "film noir" episodes that featured thrilling cops & robbers, murders, mystery and suspense stories. This was the season in which Phyllis Coates was Lois Lane to George Reeves's Clark Kent/Superman.

Above, the building as the Daily Planet Building.

The building ceased being used as the Daily Planet Building when huge signs advertising Mutual of Omaha were erected at the top. The producers then began using the Los Angeles City Hall as the Daily Planet Building in 1953.

The Mutual of Omaha signs remained on the building for decades, but were finally replaced by Asahi Beer signs. The Asahi signs were on the building for several years until Samsung leased the advertising space.

To read more, go here.

Donna Douglas Dies At 82

Above, Donna Douglas and Elvis Presley in Frankie and Johnny (1966).

We've lost a television icon of our youth yesterday.

According to Japan Today:

NEW YORK —Donna Douglas, who played the buxom tomboy Elly May Clampett on the hit 1960s sitcom “The Beverly Hillbillies,” has died. 

Her niece said Douglas died Thursday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, near her hometown of Zachary. The cause of death was pancreatic cancer, Charlene Smith said. Douglas was 82. 

She was best known for her role in “The Beverly Hillbillies,” the CBS comedy about a backwoods Ozark family who moved to Beverly Hills after striking it rich from oil discovered on their land. 

The series, which ran from 1962 to 1971, also starred the late Buddy Ebsen and Irene Ryan as well as Max Baer Jr, who turns 77 on Sunday.

The passing of Donna Douglas is a reminder that we are fortunate, as fans of the Adventures of Superman, we still have Phyllis Coates, Noel Neill and Jack Larson with us.

To read more, go here.

UPDATE: Douglas was actually 81 when she died.

"The Unknown People" Notes

Above, George Reeves and Phyllis Coates.

Due to owning the complete set of DVDs of the Adventures of Superman, it makes it easier for me to spot where broadcast versions of the show were cut.

Above, actress Beverly Washburn at the Superman Celebration Luncheon in August. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I noticed several snips during my watching of the two parts of "The Unknown People" on MeTV tonight. They were relatively minor, but still noticeable. I have seen worse hack jobs.

Above, Jeff Corey in 2001.

Still, it was nice to see the show on broadcast television. Next to I Love Lucy, the Adventures of Superman has had the longest longevity of any 1950s television show. A lot of that has to do with the start of color broadcasting of the show in 1965.

Someone within the Superman organization was smart to film the 1954 -1957 seasons in color and store them in a vault until the time was right.

I have met four of the stars of "The Unknown People"over the years. First, it was Jeff Corey, who played the villain Luke Benson. Then it was Billy Curtis, who played one of the mole men. Next, I met Phyllis Coates, who played Lois Lane. And, finally, I met Beverly Washburn, who played the little girl, at this year's Superman Celebration.

I Now Have Me-TV

Above, an ad from the 1950s.

Following the clean-up and putting away all my furnishings after the pipe break, I re-configured the antenna to the television set and discovered that I now can get Me-TV.

The Adventures of Superman is on Me-TV's Saturday evening schedule (along with Batman and Wonder Woman) and tonight is the 1951 two-parter, "The Unknown People." "The Unknown People" is the edited television version of the 1951 theatrical feature, Superman and the Mole Men. It starred George Reeves and Phyllis Coates.

So, in just under an hour, I will be watching.

Happy 94th Birthday, Noel Neill!

Above, Noel Neill with her leading man, George Reeves.

Last August, while planning the Adventures of Superman plaque dedication portion of the Superman Celebration in Tarzana, I was wondering (and hoping) that actress Noel Neill would be able to attend.

Unfortunately, Noel's frail health prevented her from attending. But, she was well aware of the plaque dedication and was reportedly very pleased. I am sure that she will receive a copy of the sooon-to-be-released DVD of the Superman Celebration. Hopefully, someone showed her a photo of the plaque.

Above, Noel Neill and her fellow Superman cast members are pictured on the plaque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tomorrow is Noel's 94th birthday. She was born on November 25, 1920 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She first portrayed Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane in two Superman serials by Columbia Pictures.

In 1953, she reclaimed the role on the Adventures of Superman after the first season Lois Lane, Phyllis Coates, opted out for another television series. Noel remained with the show through its final season in 1957.

Since then, she had been a tireless ambassador of the show. First, she held talks at colleges and universities and then appeared at many fan conventions around the country.

Tomorrow's the day to raise a glass to toast "The First Lady of Metropolis." Happy Birthday, Noel!

Above, Noel addresses the Superman Week ceremony at the L.A. County
Board of Supervisors with Supervisor Mike Antonovich looking on.

Above, Noel with yours truly at the Kenneth Hahn Hall
of Administration for the Superman Week ceremony.

Above, Noel and Armand at the TV Land Convention.

Above, Jack Larson and Noel at her 85th birthday celebration. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's the story on my first meeting with Noel.

Superman Plaque

Tomorrow's early morning (well, not that early) task is to order the plaque commemorating the 100th birthdays of George Reeves and Superman creators Jerome Siegel and Joseph Shuster. The plaque dedication will be held on the morning of August 16.

The plaque will have this photo (created by Steven Kirk):

And, the text (by Jim Nolt and Armand Vaquer) will read:

ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN
Production years: 1951 - 1957
Producers: Robert Maxwell/Bernard Luber and Whitney Ellsworth
Episode #29 "The Man Who could Read Minds." Script by Roy Hamilton.  Directed by Tommy Carr.  

A portion of this episode was filmed in June, 1953 at 5400 Wilbur Avenue, Tarzana, CA., and is the only location scene to feature all five main characters:  Editor Perry White - John Hamilton; Reporter Lois Lane - Noel Neill (who replaced Phyllis Coates after the first season); Cub reporter Jimmy Olsen - Jack Larson; Inspector Wm. J. Henderson - Robert Shayne; and Reporter Clark Kent/Superman - George Reeves. 

A police stakeout scene was filmed at this location and a fight scene between Jimmy Olsen and the phantom burglar were filmed on Wilbur Ave. Additional chase scenes were filmed on Linnett Street. 

Dedication of this plaque, provided by fans of the "Adventures of Superman," was held on August 16, 2014 to commemorate the 100th birthdays of George Reeves and Superman creators Jerome Siegel and Joseph Shuster and over sixty years of the "Adventures of Superman." 

If there are any changes to the above, they will only occur if there are problems with space on the plaque.