Watched "Invaders From Mars" (1953)

Above, this shot of Bob Shayne was taken from my television screen with my camera. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This evening, I watched the restored Invaders From Mars (1953) from Ignite Films on Blu-ray.

The movie scared the bejeezus out of me when I was a kid. Now I just laugh at how cheesy it is. Still, it was entertaining.

I can look past the mutants's back zippers on their costumes (there was even a fat one) and the stock footage of tanks to pad the running time.

The movie looked great. They did a great job in its restoration. The extras also made buying the Blu-ray worthwhile. They include observatory scenes shot about a year later for European audiences and an alternate ending. Also included is an interview with actor Jimmy Hunt. There were other extras. 

Although low budget, the movie had a German expressionism look by director William Cameron Menzies.

I spotted three actors of the Adventures of Superman television show. Robert Shayne, John Eldridge and Janine Perreau. Barbara Billingsley of Leave It To Beaver was also in it as a secretary.

Interestingly, in the underground passageways, there are round balloon-like things on the walls. Those turned out to be hundreds of condoms bought at a drug store,. It was said that the druggist mused that "someone is going to have a great night" or something to that effect.

The Blu-ray was a bit pricey at $45, but it was worth the cost. If you like 1950s flying saucer science-fiction movies, you'll have fun watching this one.

Movie Posters At G-FEST XXVI

Above, the one-sheet for the U.S. release of Godzilla vs. The
Smog Monster (Godzilla vs. Hedorah). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Along with anything kaiju (toys, etc.), the G-FEST XXVI Dealers Room had movie memorabilia such as lobby cards, one-sheets and half-sheets posters.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, since I saved some cash), the only ATM in the Crowne Plaza was out of cash by Friday night and, so I heard, ATMs in surrounding hotels and businesses were also out of cash. Some dealers were able to make transactions with Visa and MasterCard.

Had the ATM in the hotel had cash in it, I would be very tempted in getting some of these.

Above, a vintage one-sheet poster for House of Dark Shadows (1970). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, this poster was bought not long after I posted a picture of it on Facebook. It starred
Robert Shayne (Inspector Henderson of the Adventures of Superman). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, I thought this one-sheet poster was interesting as the robot looked a lot
 like "Mr. McTavish" in the Adventures of Superman episode, "The Gentle
Monster" in 1957 with some modifications. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

"Adventures of Superman" Props, Etc.

Last November, I toured the Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois. While there, I took a bunch of photos with my Canon camera. I also took three inside the museum with my cell phone in case I wanted to send them out in a text message.

I haven't posted these before, so here they are. They are of the Adventure of Superman exhibit of props and other items related to the show.

Bob Shayne Is The King!

Above, Stephanie Shayne shows her dad's cane at the Superman plaque dedication in 2014. Photo by Steve Kirk.

Since we're now in March, it is fitting that the month's first blog post should be a Stephanie Shayne post, since it is her birthday month in ten days.

Stephanie Shayne has posted the second video of home movies on YouTube as "Shayne Movie 4".

In this one, Bob Shayne trades in his police inspector's hat for a crown (Holy Imperial Margarine!) and rules his back yard.

From Stephanie:

Christmas party 1966, Stephanie goes to the prom 1968, graduation from Cleveland High and Robert Shayne is the King of the Backyard!

Although much of this footage was taken about ten years after the final season of the Adventures of Superman, Bob Shayne looked as though he could step right back in the role of Inspector Henderson. Although the video is posted below, here's the YouTube link so you can go there and give it a thumb's up.

I wonder if any of Stephanie's classmates were stunned seeing Inspector Henderson running around with a movie camera?

Shaynemovie1 Posted At YouTube

Above, Stephanie Shayne at the Superman Celebration Luncheon in 2014. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Stephanie Shayne has announced that the first of many home movies shot by her father, Bob "Inspector Henderson" Shayne (of the Adventures of Superman), has been posted on YouTube.

She wrote at Facebook:

It's been a long time coming! The first of the Robert Shayne Home movie clips is now on my You Tube channel. This one is my brother Bob coming home from Basic Training at Fort Ord in 1966 and a family trip to Las Vegas that same week. Thank you, Ray for making the clip and watermarking it. Thank you, Iva, Brian, Hugh, Brad, Darroll, Don, Elsa, Peter, Bruce, Jorge Casales,Scott, Alvaro, Mary, Victoria, Meg, Armand, Alan, Miriam, Clare, Caryn, Crystal, Dennis, Jodi, Brad, Susan, Delmo, Deborah, Howard, Charles, and Micah for making this possible. More to come soon!

It was nice to see Las Vegas back "in the good ol' days" before it became the crowded and cluttered mess it is today, especially the Hacienda Hotel, where I made some good money on the roulette wheel back during Spring Break in 1973.

Here's the video:




Other videos will follow on Stephanie's channel.  Here's the link to the video so you can give her a thumb's up!

On the cars shown in the video, here's what Stephanie says about them:

The 'Stang was my dad's. My mom's car was the beige Beetle and my car was the aqua Beetle in the driveway. Oh, the days...

Noel Neill Tribute

Tomorrow will mark one month since the passing of actress Noel Neill.

Brad Shey created this "Breakfast Table In Heaven" and thought I would share it. He calls it, "A "Kellogg's Breakfast" Reunion".

Noel Neill, R.I.P.

Above, Jack Larson and Noel Neill at Noel's 85th birthday luncheon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This came sooner than expected, but Noel Neill is now reunited with Jack Larson, John Hamilton, Bob Shayne and George Reeves. When I say "sooner than expected", I mean that we all figured that Noel Neill would live to 100. But, that was not to be. The good Lord had other plans for her.

Noel's friend and biographer Larry Ward notified Jim Nolt on Facebook:

From Larry Ward:

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of my very close friend, actress Noel Neill, the original "live action" Lois Lane from Superman. Noel passed away yesterday at her home in Tucson, Arizona after a long illness. She was 95. 

Noel Darleen Neill was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1920, the daughter of Minneapolis Star Tribune news editor David Neill and New York vaudeville performer LaVere Neill. She hit the stage early in life in local productions at the age of five, and also offered dramatic radio performances on local Minneapolis stations as early as 1929. She was childhood friends with the Andrews Sisters as they attended dance school together, with Noel eventually branching out as a solo singer and dancer. Noel and the Andrews Sisters barnstormed middle America together playing many of the RKO Orpheum Theatres throughout the region, as well as performing at countless county and state fairs throughout the midwest in the 1930s. 

After graduating from Central High in Minneapolis in 1938, Noel and her mother headed west by automobile, reaching Los Angeles a week later where she would eventually make her permanent home. Soon after her arrival, at almost 18 years of age, she was hired to sing with Bing Crosby's band at the Del Mar Racetrack. Other singing jobs followed in San Francisco, Tucson, and in Los Angeles. 

And then Hollywood came calling. With the help of Crosby, Noel signed a seven-year contract with Paramount Pictures in 1941. She initially made several short films, then appeared in mostly non-speaking roles, gradually gaining leading lady status beginning with 1944's Are These Our Parents? 

In total, Noel made close to 100 films in her long and incredible career, and surprisingly, most were Western films made in the 1940s and 1950s. She worked with many noted directors such Cecil B. DeMille, Vincent Minnelli, and Hal Roach, and starred with actors Bob Hope, Crosby, Gene Kelley, Clayton Moore, Johnny Mack Brown and William Holden. 

But it was her role as Lois Lane in the 1948 Columbia movie serial Superman that caught the interest of fans everywhere. She was bright, funny, assertive but with a quick sense of humor; and opposite film's first Superman, Kirk Alyn, the serial was a hit which necessitated a sequel, 1950's Atom Man Vs Superman, again starring Alyn with Tommy Bond as Jimmy Olsen. 

Her work in the iconic 1950s television series, The Adventures of Superman with the late George Reeves, however, best defined and cemented her legacy as "the intrepid reporter." After years of playing bit parts in bad films and great roles in forgotten films, she finally found her niche. As a teenager she knew all about the newspaper business from her father and she had also actually written for Women's Wear Daily in the late 1930s, so it was a role she believed she was born to play. And as she would admit in interviews later in life, she simply played herself. 

Arguably the most prolific actor in the Superman science fiction genre, Noel would also go on to work with Christopher Reeve in the 1978 film Superman, in the 1980s in the Superboy series with Gerard Christopher, the 2004 Jerry Seinfeld webisode Hindsight is 20/20; and finally, in Brandon Routh's 2006 feature film Superman Returns. 

The recipient of many awards over the years, she had long professed that her 2004 Golden Boot Award - for her many Western films - as presented to her by her friend and fellow actor Tom Selleck - was likely her favorite. 

The town of Metropolis, Illinois, which had proclaimed Noel Neill First Lady of Metropolis some years ago, also dedicated a Lois Lane statue in her likeness in 2011 for her love of the role and her many visits to Metropolis over the years. The statue is a popular attraction and has been visited by thousands of her admirers since its dedication. 

As Noel's close friend, companion and biographer, I found Noel to be generous with her time and the same person off the screen as she appeared to be on the screen. Her stamina was legendary as she happily made personal appearances and attended book signings well into her 90th year. She was kind, selfless, hardworking, funny with a quick wit, and assertive - all the same qualities that embodied the character of Lois Lane. Noel truly was Lois Lane, and for many of us, she was the first working woman seen on television. Few of her fans actually knew her real name, almost always simply calling her "Lois" to which she would unfailing answer with a bright smile and a kind word. It was more than a role to her. "Lois" was someone she believed in and a character she happily and warmly embraced. 

Noel Neill maintained that bright, perky and engaging personality up until her death.
Funeral services will be private with a public memorial held later this year. 

Larry Thomas Ward, July 4, 2016

Above, Noel and Armand at the TV Land Convention in Burbank.

I first met Noel Neill in 2001 when we held the "Superman Week" ceremony at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and luncheon immediately after. Over the years, we got to know each other at various conventions, including the TV Land Convention in Burbank.

Above, Noel addresses the "Superman Week" ceremony as Supervisor Michael D.
Antonovich looks on. Photo courtesy of the offfice of Sup. Michael D. Antonovich.

In 2005, a big luncheon celebration was held at the Beverly Garland Hotel for Noel's 85th birthday. I, along with many other fans and celebrities, attended. It was a memorable event.

Above, Noel and Armand at the Hall of Administration in 2001.

Around about that time, Noel and I had an email discussion about the state of education. I may still have those printed emails. She was a very thoughtful person and was concerned how young people today weren't being educated as well as they should be.

Above, Noel with George Reeves.

She had been in frail health for the past several years and had to retire from conventions and fan events. She could not attend the 2014 plaque dedication, but I understand that she was pleased about the plaque that was placed in Tarzana honoring her and her co-stars of the Adventures of Superman. We've missed her these past few years, but thanks to Larry Ward, we were able to keep tabs on her and to send greetings on her birthdays.

Above, the Superman plaque in Tarzana, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I will always have fond memories of Noel. She lived a good, long and active life. We will now miss her even more.

Bob Shayne In "Tora! Tora! Tora!"

Above, Bob Shayne (left) in Tora!Tora! Tora!

Before heading off to the Ventura Beach RV Park, I decided to bring along some movies. The Beast has a built-in DVD player and television.

I picked two John Wayne movies to bring: True Grit and She Wore A Yellow Ribbon. I watched True Grit last night and will be watching She Wore A Yellow Ribbon tonight.

Since returning from Hawaii a couple of weeks ago, I've been in kind of a Pearl Harbor mood. Today, I watched Tora! Tora! Tora! It's been a while since I've last screened it.

While watching it, I spotted our very own "Inspector William J. Henderson" from the Adventures of Superman: Robert Shayne. I had forgotten that he had a bit part in the movie. I took some photos of the TV screen during his "big" scene (at least he had some dialog). I sent a photo to his daughter Stephanie. She didn't immediately recognize the movie.

The movie was produced around 1969-70. As Shayne was born in October 1900, he was around 69 or 70 years of age at the time. He looked pretty good and was wearing a tuxedo.

A photo of his scene is posted at top.

"Reunited" by Brad Shey

Stephanie Shayne's Remarks At Superman Plaque Dedication

Above, Stephanie Shayne Parkin. Photo by Steven Kirk.

Stephanie Shayne Parkin, daughter of Robert "Inspector Henderson" Shayne, addresses the Adventures of Superman Plaque Dedication, August 16, 2014 in Tarzana, California.

Superman News Release Beginning To Hit

Above, (left to right) Bob Shayne, Noel Neill, Jack Larson and George Reeves.

The press release on the August 16 Adventures of Superman plaque dedication in Tarzana, California is hitting as several news websites have begun to post it.

Fans of the show are coming to the dedication from all over the country. One is even coming in from Australia.

The BWW TV World is running the news release. They have it posted here.

The Superman Super Site is running it. They have it posted here.

The Superman Homepage has it posted as well, here.

Superman Plaque Dedication August 16

Above, the photo image that will be on the plaque. Created by Steven Kirk.

Celebrating the 100th birthdays of Adventures of Superman actor George Reeves, Superman creators Jerome Siegel and Joseph Shuster and over 60 years of the Adventures of Superman, a plaque will be dedicated Saturday, August 16 at 5400 Wilbur Avenue, Tarzana, California. The dedication will begin at 9:00 AM.

Above, (from left) Robert Shayne, John Hamilton and George Reeves at 5400 Wilbur Ave. in 1953.

The site of the plaque was chosen as it was used in 1953 for a location shoot of the Adventures of Superman "The Man Who Could Read Minds" episode. Here, all principal characters of the show, Clark Kent (George Reeves), Perry White (John Hamilton), Lois Lane (Noel Neill), Jimmy Olsen (Jack Larson) and Inspector Bill Henderson (Robert Shayne), were filmed. Go here for details.

At the time of this writing, attending the plaque dedication are Jack Larson, Beverly Washburn, Laura Siegel Larson and Stephanie Shayne Parkin. More will be announced as confirmations are received.

The public is invited.

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. 

Adventures of Superman Plaque Dedication Update

Things are proceeding nicely in preparation for next month's plaque dedication in Tarzana, California celebrating the 100th birthdays of George Reeves, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The site of the dedication will be at the 1953 location shoot for "The Man Who Could Read Minds" episode of the Adventures of Superman.

The location shoot was the only one (to our knowledge) where all five principal actors of the show, George Reeves, Jack Larson, Noel Neill, Bob Shayne and John Hamilton appeared. The site was used for Inspector Henderson's stake-out for "the Phantom Burglar" and the car chase. The episode in its entirety is above.

Steven Kirk is making the "finishing touches" on the photographic artwork for the plaque and Jim Nolt is getting the funds over here for ordering the plaque next week. Jim and I have already completed the final text for the plaque.

June Already?!

Above, George Reeves.

We're now in the final month of the first half of 2014. Where did the time go? It seems not that long ago that my roomie's liver problems started and I went to Japan to get stuck in-between Narita Airport and Tokyo due to snow.

At least the month is off to a good start as sales of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan continue come in. It is presently on sale at 20% off the cover price until June 16, so you have 15 more days to take advantage of the discount. Details: go here.

Above, Robert Shayne, John Hamilton and George Reeves on location in Tarzana.

The next big project is getting the plaque made for the August plaque dedication in Tarzana at the site of the location shoot of the 1953 episode of the Adventures of Superman, "The Man Who Could Read Minds."

Right now, I am waiting for a suitable photograph to be engraved into the plaque featuring the entire regular cast of the show: George Reeves (Clark Kent/Superman), Jack Larson (Jimmy Olsen), Noel Neill (Lois Lane), John Hamilton (Perry White) and Robert Shayne (Inspector Henderson). The money for the plaque has been raised, so all we have to do is get it made.

Superman Plaque News in JapanTourist Daily

Most readers of this blog know that I contribute travel articles to JapanTourist. As such, I get their regular JapanTourist Daily via email.

While perusing today's edition, I saw that they picked up the article on the Adventures of Superman plaque news (above) with Bob Shayne, John Hamilton and George Reeves pictured.

To read today's Daily, go here.

"Adventures of Superman" Plaque Progress Report #3

Above, behind the scenes in 1953.

It was only yesterday afternoon that the word was put out that we need to raise $1,000 for the Adventures of Superman "The Man Who Could Read Minds" plaque.

The fans responded enthusiastically and, by evening, we raised (at present) $442.35. That is almost half of what's needed!  The cost will include the tablet, photo-engraving, lawnmower-proofing, taxes and concrete to anchor it in.

The plaque will be 28" x 16", made of granite (as a bronze one would be too tempting for thieves to steal for the metal), three inches thick, will be lawnmower-proof and will include a photo with the inscription. We have not as yet decided on the inscription or the photo to be used. We would prefer a photo of the entire five cast members (George Reeves, John Hamilton, Noel Neill, Jack Larson and Robert Shayne).  If we are unable to locate a suitable photo with all five, then we will probably settle for one of just George Reeves as Superman. We are checking with several sources for a good black & white cast photo.

So we're off to a great start for the August 16, 2014 morning plaque dedication to be held in Tarzana, California!

For details, go here.

Superman Plaque Dedication

Above, Robert Shayne, John Hamilton and George Reeves in Tarzana.

Jim Nolt has posted at The Adventures Continue website a notice on the Adventures of Superman plaque dedication celebrating "the one-hundredth birthdays of George Reeves, Jerry Siegel, and Joe Shuster; 60 years of the Adventures of Superman; and twenty-five years of The Adventures Continue."

The dedication will take place on August 16, 2014 in Tarzana, California. The public is invited.

Above, the plaque location.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The location of the plaque was chosen as it was the only location shoot featuring all five stars of the show: George Reeves, Jack Larson, Noel Neill, John Hamilton and Robert Shayne.

The cost of the plaque and installation is $1,000. Donations are now being accepted and the progress toward our goal will be reported here. Contributions may be made by check or money order:

Jim Nolt
6-L Foal Court
Lancaster, PA 17602

or via Pay Pal at my alternate e-mail address: JIMNOLT@COMCAST.NET

 

Adventures of Superman Plaque Progress Report #2

Above, we can't put at plaque at the Tip-Top Club, but we will put one at the
stakeout location for the phantom burglar.  Montage by Richard Potter.

Tomorrow, I will be checking the different plaque styles for the Adventures of Superman plaque to be placed at the location of Inspector Henderson's (Bob Shayne) stakeout in Tarzana in the 1953 episode, "The Man Who Could Read Minds."

The show's entire cast were at this filming location in June 1953.

I will be bringing my camera along to photograph the different plaque styles and send them to Jim Nolt. We will then put our heads together (as George Reeves said in "The Mystery of the Broken Statues," "Like I always say, two heads are better than one!") and decide on the style.

Once a style is chosen, and we price out everything, the fundraising will begin.

Jack Larson has indicated that he will be at the plaque dedication ceremony. Perhaps we can get him to either re-enact his fight with the phantom burglar or his tango skills.

"Adventures of Superman" Plaque Progress Report

Above, the location of the plaque.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The next step in getting a plaque erected to honor the Adventures of Superman's stars is to check out the styles and pricing of plaques.

In the next week or so, I am planning to visit the plaque-maker to see what styles are available and the pricing.

Once I get that information, I will check with Jim Nolt and decide on the style and begin work in coming up with an appropriate text and well as start the fundraising for it.

The location will be in Tarzana, California where location scenes of the stakeout by Inspector Bill Henderson (Bob Shayne) were shot. The whole cast were at this location in 1953 for "The Man Who Could Read Minds" episode.

I previously contacted Digalert to see if there are any underground utilities at the proposed plaque spot, and they came up with negative results.