Pictures from the 29th Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Illinois

June 7-10, 2007 marked the 29th Superman Celebration in Metropolis, IL.  For a complete program of the festivities, click here.

Guests included Noel Neill (the Original Lois Lane), Helen Slater (Supergirl), Jerry Maren (one of the Mole-Men), Superman artists Murphy Anderson and Jon Bogdanove, and Superman writer Len Wein.  Scott Cranford once again donned the cape and shield to portray Superman during the festival.

Shaking hands with Scott Cranford following the opening ceremony on Thursday evening.

One of George’s costumes, including the boots, inside a glass case.  This one is authentic.

The “flying pan” that was used to create the special effect of George Reeves flying.  It is now hanging by wires from the ceiling.  It must have been exhausting for George to keep holding his arms and legs out when he was lying on this thing. 

The children who participated in the Superman parade gathered at the base of the Superman statue when the parade was over.

Your intrepid singer/songwriter finally gets to meet Noel Neill.

Larry Ward, Noel’s biographer and Noel Neill with yours truly.  Larry is a really nice guy and one heck of a pitcher!  Be sure to pick up a copy of his book, Beyond Lois Lane.  You can see a picture of the cover on my Noel page.

And be sure to plan to attend next year’s Celebration in Metropolis!  It will be the 30th anniversary of the Superman Celebration and 2008 will mark the 60th anniversary of Noel Neill’s playing the role of Lois Lane.  As part of the festivities, the city of Metropolis will unveil a statue of Noel as Lois Lane in her honor.  You won’t want to miss it!

Historical note: the first annual Superman Celebration was held in Metropolis, IL on June 9, 1978.

Lest you have doubts, Metropolis, Illinois is a real place -- as evidenced by this snapshot of their post office.

And on just about every telephone pole, there’s a banner with the Superman statue pictured.

The eagle has landed!  My first face-to-face encounter with the famous statue in Superman Square.

If you want to look very foolish, you can always pose with the Superman cut-out on the sidewalk outside the Superman store/museum.  My wife Grace says this is the way she always sees me.  Am I a lucky guy or what?!?!

The Superman statue, front and back.

Inside the Superman Museum -- George Reeves Exhibits

Case containing Clark Kent eye glasses (the Superman figurine’s right elbow points to the glasses) and Inspector Henderson’s hat.

A camera similar to George’s inside a glass case.  It may have belonged to George.

Everywhere you look, in every nook and cranny, there is something interesting.

Office equipment props: telephones, typewriters, radios, etc.

Clark Kent figurine inside glass case.

One of several paintings of George.

There are several paintings of George hanging from the ceiling.  The painting on the far left is by Chris Yambar.  The painting on the far right is by Randy Garrett.

Gene LeBelle’s “Mr. Kryptonite” costume that he wore in wrestling matches with George.

A very cluttered corner with a mannequin in a Superman costume.  It appears to be a reproduction and not the genuine article.

A “break-away” Clark Kent shirt and tie.

Many cases contain wonderful figurines, such as this one depicting a scene from Superman and the Mole-Men.  And to the right, you can see the lead mask that was used in The Man in the Lead Mask episode of the Adventures of Superman.

There are hundreds of pictures on the walls.

Some statues with clothing made of real fabric that look like George as Superman and as Clark Kent.

A life-mask of George.

The box that the Superman/George Reeves bubble gum cards came in.  When I saw this, I had a flash of recognition -- I hadn’t seen this since the early 1960’s and had completely forgotten what it looked like.  For more on my love affair with these bubble gum cards, click here.

I found this picture particularly fascinating -- it’s apparently yet another rare photo from the classic 1953 photo session.  I had never seen it before.  Note how George is cocking his head.

My favorite set of statuettes inside a glass case -- seen from both sides.  I especially loved the flying figure.  Carl had to restrain me from breaking into the case and stealing them!

Outside the Superman Store/Museum

There is a very nice color picture of George in the window to the store/museum.

Over the front of the store there is a sculpture of Superman in flight.

The entrance.

For sale for only $99 -- a swatch from George’s cape (lower right corner), mounted on a backing board with a nice description on the left.

A photo of George signed by Helen Bessolo, given to Thad Stephen, the private detective originally hired by George’s mother to investigate her son’s death.

Carl Glass, Steven Kirk, and Dennis Lark.  I suggested to Steve that he might want to relax and look causal and he replied, “This is casual.”

Meeting Carl was like finding a long-lost brother -- I have rarely felt such an instant connection with someone as I did with Carl.  It felt like we had known each other all our lives.  It is very difficult for me to put into words just how much it meant to me to finally meet the man with whom I’d corresponded for the past year.

I have tremendous respect for all the hard work Carl puts in to keep George Reeves’ memory alive.

And I feel very privileged to call him my friend.

Metropolis and Superman Square

Scenes from the Festival and Costume Parade

My friend, Nick Iovino, who wore an incredibly accurate reproduction of George’s costume for the Friday night parade.

A dashing young Superman and his girlfriend Supergirl, waiting for Friday night’s Superman Parade to start.

Super people galore!

Steven Kirk as General Zod, with Scott Cranford.

Nick’s shields

A Dream Come True -- Meeting Noel Neill

The line outside the Metropolis Planet newspaper building on Saturday morning, waiting to meet Noel Neill and get her autograph.

Carl, Steven, and Dennis arrived too late at the Planet to get Noel’s autograph but not too late to get their pictures taken.

Now, does this guy have charisma or what?!

The flying pan, shot from a different angle.

The description attached to the flying pan.

Meeting Jerry Maren -- Former Mole-Man and Munchkin

This was a poster I’d never seen, positioned behind the table where Mr. Maren was signing autographs.

Getting my picture taken with Jerry Maren.  Mr. Maren was one of the Munchkins who represented the Lollipop Guild in the Wizard of Oz.

Steven and Dennis (in profile, checking his camera).

There were other super-heroes represented in the parade, as well.

Bringing up the rear of the parade as it heads for the Superman statue.

Can’t remember why I took this photo.

And then the adults joined them.

Saturday at noon there was a photo op at the base of the Superman statue.  Noel was adored by the crowd.

This year’s celebrities: Helen Slater, Mrs. Jerry Maren, Noel Neill, and Jerry Maren.

Inside the banquet room at Harrah’s Hotel/Casino for Saturday night’s Superman dinner and auction.

When Noel entered the room she received a standing ovation.  Here, we see Dennis, Carl, Noel, Larry and Larry’s son.

Some of the loot that was to be auctioned off after dinner.

My first lady of Metropolis, my wife Grace.

Photo Op for the Fans

The Superman Dinner and Auction

I hope you have enjoyed the show!

But the fun’s not over yet -- be sure to check out Glass House Presents for more photos of the

Superman Celebration.  Carl Glass, webmaster, took some great pictures that I know you’ll enjoy.

In the Community Center where Mr. Maren was signing autographs, there were also comic book artists and writers available to meet their fans.  This was an interesting portrait of George on display by Lin.

Ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday evening -- let the festival begin!

Mr. Maren was kind enough to autograph this montage of scenes from Superman and the Mole-Men.  He drew a line from his signature to indicate which of the mole-men in the picture was him.  He’s the one holding the ray-gun (which is actually an Electrolux vacuum cleaner!)

And, in addition to everything else, a comic book collector’s convention was held on Saturday.  I couldn’t resist buying this copy of Superman Comics #72 (Sept.- Oct. 1951).

It has a very special significance in the Adventures of Superman.

The picture to the right explains why.

Kathy (Isa Ashdown) is reading a very special comic book when Superman arrives to fly her to the fair, in The Birthday Letter.

Comic Book Convention

Carl with Noel Neill

Nick in a couple of dramatic poses.

Superman Celebration Update: 8/17/2007

While I was at the celebration, I kept trying to meet Jon Bogdanove, one of my favorite Superman artists.  Unfortunately, each time I went to the building where the artists were signing autographs, Mr. Bogdanove had either just left or had not yet arrived.  So, I never got to meet him.  However, on the last day of the event, I handed some copies of the “Oh, George” and “Noel” CDs to my friend Stephanie and asked her to give them to Mr. Bogdanove if she happened to see him before he left.

Jon Bogdanove

On August 17, 2007, I received the poster you see above, autographed by Jon Bogdanove, in the mail.  What a wonderful surprise!  My thanks to Stephanie and Mr. Bogdanove!