posted 07-29-2008 11:54 AM
SDCC: SPOTLIGHT ON NOEL NEILL
BY KEITH LEE
It was standing room only last Thursday at Comic-Con International as many people were eager to help Noel Neill celebrate her 60th anniversary as the first person to portray Superman's girl friend on the movie screen, Lois Lane. Neill happily answered questions about her life as one of the world's most famous fictional reporters.
At the beginning of the panel, attendees were treated to a short DVD, "The Adventures of Noel Neill," which was created by John Field. In my opinion it showed Neill and others who worked on The Adventures of Superman as consummate professionals, who gave their all for this series. It was a comic take off and a "thank you" to Neill for her long years as the world's best known fictional female reporter.
After that video, the panel was opened up to a Question and Answer session between Neill and the audience.
QUESTION: Why isn't she in the "Smallville" series?
ANSWER: She doesn't know why. No one has asked her.
QUESTION: How did you get into acting?
ANSWER: She was asked to sing back when Bing Crosby owned the Del Mar Race Track. Someone in the movies saw her and the rest is history. Afterwards, she signed a contract with Columbia and found herself in the Superman movie with Kirk Alyn.
QUESTION: Why did she take over the role of Lois Lane from Phyllis Coates on the TV series?
ANSWER: As far as she knew, Phyllis left due to her not liking the show. Noel stated that she performed with Phyllis in some movies and knew of her.
Noel was called by Columbia to take over the Lois Lane role in the second season of Superman. She was very happy to work and accepted the job immediately.
QUESTION: Since Noel set the bar for the Lois Lane character, would she like to see the character played a certain way?
ANSWER: She doesn't understand Hollywood's take on the character since in the last Superman movie, they wrote Lois Lane as an unmarried mother.
QUESTION: What is your favorite story of George Reeves?
ANSWER: He was always a kind, thoughtful professional who loved to play practical jokes on them before a scene. In fact, that is why Jack Larson, the actor who played Jimmy Olsen, had this strange look on his face in some scenes. He was trying not to laugh at George's antics, before their scenes together.
QUESTION: Did she ever have any interest in the Superman comics?
ANSWER: Not until she was offered the role in the 1948 movie serial. Then, she went out and bought a comic book to do research on the Lois Lane character.
QUESTION: Is it true that you went on a musical tour with George Reeves?
ANSWER: Yes, George put all the money and people together for an off-work tour. Unfortunately, it only lasted one day since there were only three people in the audience on that day.
QUESTION: Did you inspire women with your portrayal of Lois Lane?
ANSWER: Yes, she has been told by women at college talks that she inspired a lot of them to go into journalism.
QUESTION: What was it like working on the TV show?
ANSWER: She remembered how George Reeves stood up for her when she first started. She also remembers how John Hamilton would use cue cards on his desk to remember his lines. The others had to learn their lines that day; therefore, they had to work very hard per show. She and Jack Larson were only paid $125.00 per week.
QUESTION: Why is the Superman show still popular? Where is the innocent entertainment for the family?
ANSWER: She wishes there were more shows like Superman too. She doesn't understand why Hollywood doesn't make more shows like it.
QUESTION: Please compare Kirk Alyn and George Reeves.
ANSWER: While both were very nice, professional men, George was a better actor, while Kirk came out of the New York Ballet.
With that, the panel broke up to a standing ovation for Miss Neill.
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