[brittaamodt]

I have to admit it, I'm a comic book geek. Haven't always been one, but I'm getting more so as the years progress.

So, I decided to check out The Adventures of Superman radio show from the library. I think I was listening to episodes from the late '40s.

I'm wondering if anyone can give me a few suggestions on their favorite episodes, or if you think Superman is worth the listen. From what I heard, the storylines were very simplistic and cut up by the announcer reading off the winners of last week's contest.

Also, listening to the organ--yes, organ--music that accompanied the show, I wondered why they didn't think of scoring it differently.

Superman. Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.

britt aamodt

[piqueroi]

You must be very young if the organ music doesn't work for you. Until the late '50's most "dramatic" children's shows as well as the soap operas had organ music to heighten the action or suspense (or in the case of soaps) to fill in the extra seconds or minute if the actors read their lines too fast. Same on tv soaps which were live. Sometimes the actors would have to freeze while the camera panned in on their faces and the organist filled in for the time 'til commercial break or cast crawl. Check out shows on internet OTR like Inner Sanctum or Murder at Midnight. As I remember the soaps stopped using an organist in the mid- to late-'60's, about the time they stopped being "live" and switched to color transmission.
I enjoy the Superman radio show most in its serialized 15-minute format ... but then I liked the Superman serials at the movies. Shows you how much a 5- or 6-year old knew!

[brittaamodt]

Hi piqueroi:

Thanks for the background info on use of organ music in radio and TV serials. It would be fun to sit down with my parents--who grew up on radio--and listen to some of the old programs. They probably wouldn't bat an eye when Superman soars off to the drone of an organ. Me, growing up with the Hollywood Superman, I'm always listening for a fully developed film score

One thing I love about the Superman radio serial is the intertwining of Superman and Batman storylines--taken right from the comics.

Soundwise--I love the serials, like Inner Sanctum, that ratchet up the chill factor with creaking doors and maniacal laughter.

britt

[Ted Hering]

The bigger budget "prime time" shows would use a full orchestra. Still, the electric organ was a bigger expense than using a "production library" (records) for the bridge music.

[AdamHy]

What is the best source of the Superman radio shows? I'm particularly looking for the KKK show, "Clan of the Fiery Cross," "Clan of the Fiery Cross."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Advent ... 28radio%29

Thanks!

Adam