"It's a Bird, It's a Plane--It's Superman!" Rare Pics and Text! 1966 DC Comics Find!

I've covered this famous 1966 play before, but here, direct form the hefty tome THE BEST PLAYS OF 1965-1966, come some little-seen pics and facts about this live-action Man of Steel spectacle! Click below to enlarge not only the (truncated) script from this comic camp-fest musical, but also pics of the production in progress, cast listings, and behind-the-scenes info! 

Above: Dig that wonderful Al Hirschfeld illustration!

David Newman and Robert Benton would later be involved
in the 70s SUPERMAN films starring Chris Reeve!

Above: Actress Linda Lavin ("Sydney") went on to bigger
fame as the title character on CBS-TV's ALICE in the 70s...

SUPER-BONUS! Click below to glare at these special pics relating to this boffo Broadway bonanza!

Above: Actor Bob Holiday ("Superman") dares to step into
the "real world" between show performances!

Above: A rare color shot from the production!

Above: NYC venue the Alvin (later renamed as the Neil
Simon Theatre) advertises the play in '66...

Above: From a 1966 SUPERMAN issue, here's a mention
of actor Bob Holiday plugging the musical on
nationwide TV!

Thanks to Steven Thompson for the above clipping!

It's a Bird, It's a Plane--It's SUPERMAN! 1966 Broadway Musical--On TV in 1975?! DC Comics!

Sure, we now live in a world awash with tons of multi-media versions of the famed superheroes, from big-screen films, TV shows, video games, and even musicals! But--didja know that a sensational Superman musical was mounted during the dizzying era of the 1966 BATMAN TV show? An ambitious Broadway play called IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE, IT'S SUPERMAN made waves during that "pop art" period, and it featured a host of great actors/singers involved in a high-camp extravaganza that looked to ride the coattails of the unbelievably popular live-action capers of his fellow Caped Crusader! The Supes show was re-staged in 1975, and ran as a late-night filler, starring David Wilson as the Man of Steel! Click below to take in all of the info about both the Broadway show and the TV version! 

Like most large plays and musicals, the Playbill guide for this show was gayly 
festooned with caricatures by the amazing Al Hirschfeld! Note that the play 
co-starred Jack Cassidy (David Cassidy's dad), and Linda Lavin (later to helm 
ALICE for CBS)!The above comes from the rare 1973 DC tabloid, AMAZING 
WORLD OF SUPERMAN!

I somehow missed all of this in 1975, only mere months before the debut (also 
on ABC) of two new WONDER WOMAN live-action specials! Could it have 
been the late hour in which ABC had slotted this presentation? This 
TV version also starred David Wayne ("The Mad Hatter" from BATMAN),
and Loretta Swit (from M.A.S.H.)!



You asked for it--here it is! See the 1975 broadcast of this little gem now! Just click here!