Superman

Sent to Earth as an infant from the dying planet Krypton, Kal-El is raised by the Kent family as Clark Kent and taught to use his powers for good. As an adult he moves to Metropolis, takes a job as a reporter at the Daily Planet, and quietly protects the city as Superman. His first major test comes from the Spider Lady, a ruthless criminal who threatens him with Kryptonite, the one substance that can harm him. The 1948 serial unfolds over fifteen episodes and runs 244 minutes, mixing action, adventure, crime and science fiction.

Spencer Gordon Bennet directed, with Thomas Carr sharing directing duties. For both men this was among their earliest credited features: Bennet went on to direct Batman and Robin the following year, while Carr's next listed directing credit came with Fighting Lawman in 1953. Sam Katzman produced through Sam Katzman Productions, and the screenplay was written by George H. Plympton, Royal K. Cole and Joseph F. Poland. Kirk Alyn plays Superman and his alter ego Clark Kent, with Noel Neill as Lois Lane, Tommy Bond as Jimmy Olsen, Pierre Watkin as Perry White, Carol Forman as the Spider Lady and George Meeker as Driller.

This was the first live-action screen appearance of the character. Audience response has been moderate: on TMDB the film holds a rating of 6.2 out of 10 from 31 votes, a score that reflects a small, older viewership rather than wide contemporary attention.