#Reel Reviews

The Death of George Reeves - the Original Superman

Faster Than a Speeding Bullet? No!

On June 16, 1959, George Reeves gave millions of children worldwide firm evidence of why it's important to separate fantasy from reality. because on that day, in the world of make-believe, Superman was not faster than a speeding bullet. But in reality it was the day that George Reeves was discovered in the wee morning hours, on his bed with a bullet to the temple. Apparently self-inflicted. Although the official police report would list Reeves' death as a suicide, his mother insisted her young, happy son was incapable of killing himself. To this day, there are three possible scenarios that explain the death of George Reeves.

Born George Keefer Brewer in 1914 in Woolstock, Iowa to Helen Lescher and Don C. Brewer, young George would grow up in Ashland, Kentucky and later in Pasadena California where his sister also lived. It was in California where George would take up boxing and amass a record of 31-0 by the time he was 20. But his somewhat controlling mother insisted that he preserve his handsome looks and give a shot at show biz. So young George hit the stage at the famed Pasadena playhouse. His talents would soon be noticed, garnering him roles in such films as Gone With the Wind. The Strawberry Blonde and Proudly We Hail! But then came the war.

Back from the War

After his return from his duties in WWII, George would find his career in the dumps. Relegated to numerous small B-movie roles from which he would find it difficult to make a living, George realized he needed a big break, so he turned to television. Although he considered TV work to be the low hanging fruit of his profession, George was desperate so he took a part in a low-budget movie called Superman and the Mole People that was to serve as a pilot for a forthcoming television series. He shot 26 segments in the first year, but they would not be aired until 1952. By this time, George was reaching a pudgy 38 years old, but the series would go on to become a huge "smash" as they say in the business. Between 1953 and 1957, George would film 104 episodes making his character famous worldwide. But he began to sense problems with his newfound fame. The same problem that would eventually curse other actors in the business. George was becoming typecast in his character. George Reeves would never be anybody but Superman.

His "Other" Life

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, unbeknownst to the majority of his legion of fans, George Reeves was keeping a huge and potentially damaging secret. He was involved in a relationship not only with a married woman, but with the wife of an MGM Studios executive. Toni Mannix was married to Eddie Mannix, a purported former crime boss who was now employed as a "fixer" for the studio - someone who keeps the studio's actors' personal lives out of the news. It has been widely reported that Eddie Mannix knew about his wife's relationship with Reeves, but that he enjoyed his "open" relationship.

Toni loved to treat her new beau like a king, and George liked having his sugar momma. She would buy him a new car, open up a nice bank account for him and even go so far as to purchase him a home at 1579 Benedict Canyon Road for $12,000! (wonder what that house is worth today.) But along with the nice things, would come the bad side of Toni. She was controlling, manipulative and, overall, just a real bitch. George would eventually sever the relationship setting up scenario number 1 for his death.

The Green Eyed Monster

George would soon hook up with Lenore Lemmon, a New York showgirl who had at one time been banned from performing at many of Manhattan's clubs because of her reputation as a "troublemaker." Hmmm. nice girl! Not only was Lemmon reported to have had some kind of connections with the mob back East, but she was also an extremely jealous sort who was known to overreact upon even the smallest of suspicions. What a deadly combination of characteristics! Could Lemmon's drunken fit of jealousy have lead to scenario number 2?

Lenore Lemmon, George's fiancee

After a year of dating, George and Lenore would announce their engagement to be married, but not before receiving numerous death threats on George's life that included phone calls, traffic accidents, and even one incident in which George would wreck his car before discovering that all of the brake fluid had been drained. Oh, and no leak was ever discovered.