Fairly stodgy overall and disappointing on the mole-men front (bald caps and furry hands are pretty much the extent of the creature design), this theatrical release promoting the Adventures of Superman television series nevertheless offers a fascinatingly political vision of Superman. When a rural town loses its mind after three inquisitive mole-men emerge from an oil shaft to see what all the drilling is about, Superman swoops in to defend the “invaders” from the angry, gun-toting mob. In Superman and the Mole-Men, our hero stood for inclusion, community, and pacifism. It was a post-war, aspirational vision of America that would slip through our hands. With George Reeves as Superman, somehow evoking Atticus Finch when wearing the cape and Perry Mason when “playing” Clark Kent.
(7/17/2025)
