Hall of Fame: Gary Grossman

In the last thirty years, much has been researched and written about our Superman, George Reeves. There are magazine articles, books, television documentaries, and web sites. Most of George's life and the circumstances of the television series have been pieced together with amazing thoroughness. But it wasn't always that way. Most of us can remember years of searching in vain for something... anything... related to George and the other cast members of the Adventures of Superman. Occasionally we'd find a sentence or paragraph that would satisfy us to some small degree. But most often we'd find nothing and end up feeling dejected. No one seemed to care about that wonderful series of the 50s... the series that obviously meant so much to us.

And then... suddenly... there was Gary Grossman's Superman: Serial to Cereal. I found the book in a 1976 catalog of titles from Publisher's Central Bureau. $4.95 plus shipping. Hmmm, that was a lot in those days, but I ordered it... hoping I'd not be disappointed yet again. Well, I wasn't. That copy still sits on my shelf. It's a little ragged and worn from use, but in pretty good shape nonetheless and referred to often, even these thirty years later.

To be sure, Serial to Cereal didn't answer all our questions, but Gary blazed the trail...it was he who pointed the way. It was Gary who let each of us know that we aren't alone...that others love George and the series as much as we do. He put faces to such names as Whitney Ellsworth, Phil Ford, Tommy Carr, and George Blair. For the first time he took us behind the scenes and showed us some of the secrets of Superman's production. Sometimes I still simply page through this coveted volume and marvel at the photos...other times I go searching for some tiny bit of information to refresh my ever failing memory.

Today I consider Gary a friend, and when he sometimes thanks me for The Adventures Continue magazine and web site, I can do nothing but shake my head. For without Gary's initial work... his guidance and inspiration, I doubt TAC would exist today.

Gary Grossman is a friendly, generous, and gifted man with many interests. He has written for The New York Times and The Boston Globe and has covered presidential campaigns for WBZ-TV in Boston. Previously, he taught communications and journalism at Emerson College, Boston University, and then the University of Southern California. He is the author of several books and is presently co-owner of Weller-Grossman Productions. He and his partner, Robb Weller, specialize in documentary and informational television shows.

Welcome to the George Reeves Hall of Fame, Gary. Thank you for all your efforts and accomplishments. May your many successes and interest in George Reeves continue for years to come.

If you have anyone you would like to nominate,