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The Adventures of Superman Series 1
1st Broadcast 1990 BBC Radio 4
Repeated 1995 BBC Radio 1
Contents
Producer
Dramatized
Director
Produced for
BBC Radio Light Entertainment BBC Radio 4
Synopsis
The Adventures of Superman radio program is based on the original post-crisis DC Comics material and features a star cast. Recorded in Dolby Surround with spectacular sound effects, the program also boasts a thrilling specially composed orchestral score.
"A supersonic passenger aircraft on its maiden flight collides with a private plane over a packed Metropolis airport - and is saved from destruction by a mysterious flying man..."
From Superman's very first deed of daring to his battle of wits with evil businessman tycoon Lex Luthor, The Adventures of Superman tells the story of The Man of Steel from the beginning - of his love affair with Lois Lane, his friendship with Jimmy Olsen, and his battle with not only Lex Luthor but also The Bizarro Superman and Metallo, the cyborg with a kryptonite heart.
Cast
Stuart Milligan Superman
Stuart Milligan Clark Kent
William Hootkins Lex Luthor
Lorelei King Lois Lane
Vincent Marzello Jimmy Olsen
Garrick Hagon Perry White
Shelley Thompson Lana Lang
Dick Vosburgh Jor-El
Barbara Barnes Lucy Lane
Jon Pertwee Schwarz
David Graham Fisher
Simon Treves Metallo
Elizabeth Mansfield Amanda McCoy
Burt Kwouk Doctor Teng
David Bannerman Not Known
Nigel Carrington Not Known
Christopher Good Not Known
Joanna Mackie Not Known
Norman Jones Not Known
Ronald Herdman Not Known
Terence Edmond Not Known
Sue Broomfield Not Known
Vincent Brimble Not Known
Dale Ropley Not Known
Jane Whyttenshaw Not Known
Andrew Wincott Not Known
Production Crew
1990
1995 Dolby Surround Mix
Recorded at
None currently
Original Music composer
Musical Arranger
Musical Performer
Comment by Dirk Maggs
Briefly series one deals with Clark developing the persona of Superman, coming to Metropolis and Lex Luthor’s attempt to buy him out. Series two concerns Clark’s quest to discover his identity as kal-el and the vengeance mission of Metallo, the cyborg with the kryptonite heart. They were based on and condensed from John byrne's 1986 re-telling of the Superman saga, which was commissioned after dc comics had their 'spring clean' of outdated characters and unwanted baggage with the 'crisis on infinite earths' storyline
Bill Hootkins was a TERRIFIC Lex Luthor and a scream to work with. No-one could say ‘Drat’ with quite the same throwaway venom! I developed lots of my favourite storytelling devices in these shows. There is input not only from the characters on the ‘stage’ but from external sources like the news media, phone calls, etc. etc. Also, most episodes featured a time critical situation, at least one big sound effect (or a fight!) and a cliff hanger ending.
Sometimes what I am trying to do is so complex that the sound effects and music obscure the dialogue. People complain they can't hear the lines. Although I don’t mind occasionally losing the odd word (you can still love a Rolling Stones record without hearing everything Mick is singing), some scenes in this series - especially those mixed on analogue tape - resulted in borderline audio chaos. I like to think this happens less and less as my hearing diminishes with age!
Running Time
2 hours and 30 minutes.
Other Links
The Adventures of Superman Series 1
