Hall of Fame: Jackson Gillis

Screenwriters are unique. They have an ability to take an idea…kick it around and come up with something original. In the 1950’s, television programs were produced at a break neck speed. As we know, actors were sometimes doing scenes for upcoming episodes simultaneously. It was crazy and stressful and some of the finished product wasn’t so good. But there were also gems…like The RIFLEMAN…and PERRY MASON just to name a few. There is one writer whose name alone brings no real recognition. He worked under the radar for over forty years and quietly created a body of work that will last forever.

This extremely talented and prolific writer was born in 1916. His parents named him Jackson though sometimes he preferred going under then name Jack Gillis.

He started writing in college in the 1930’s. He worked in radio in the 1940’s and then turned to television. He helped create a series for movie tough guy George Raft in titled I’M THE LAW. He moved from there to LASSIE and wrote the pilot. He met Robert Maxwell who owned the rights to LASSIE and later Whit Ellsworth. He created a kids show called SPIN AND MARTY and THE HARDY BOYS. Whitney Ellsworth asked Jackson to write for THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN. The only information he knew about the man of steel was what he read in the funny papers. It made no difference. For the next three years Jackson Gillis wrote some of the most memorable and to some, the best episodes the series ever produced.

His very first assignment was THE DEFEAT OF SUPERMAN. This very suspenseful installment showed Superman’s one weakness and scared the beejevers out of me as a child. There’s a scene between criminal Happy King and mad professor Meldini that’s quite revealing…

Happy King: ‘It’s like playing a game of checkers see…I said tomorrow so Superman figures he will get the jump on me…he’ll go there and look around today…what I do??...today I’m ready for with a double jump…today the trap is set…pretty smart huh?

Meldini: ‘Hummmm! I would rather play gin rummy!

Jackson followed DEFEAT with SUPERMAN IN EXILE…another tight and suspenseful episode. The writing is crisp throughout and George Reeves delivers a standout performance. Well maybe one line is a little corny...

Clark Kent: ‘It’s no wonder you wonder…you’re a very wonderful girl!’

A GHOST FOR SCOTLAND YARD came next…a neat little puzzler that has Jimmy actually solving the mystery. Of course Superman arrives in the nick of time to save everybody. Jack Larson is quite effective…

‘Ah that’s impossible…there aren’t any such things as ghosts’

‘Let me tell you something Yank…your going back to Metropolis…huh…well I’ve got as much faith in a good old English ghost as you have in that there…Superman of yours!’

After GHOST was THE FACE AND THE VOICE, a comical and endearing episode…’ I look like Superman why don’t I SOUND LIKE SUPERMAN…I look like Superman’ Jackson was showing an ability to keep us on the edge of our seats with DEFEAT and EXILE and to make us chuckle at the same time. Marvelous stuff!!!

Jackson next wrote PANIC IN THE SKY in the fall of 1953. I wonder if he knew at the time he had penned probably the most popular episode of the entire series. There are memorable lines throughout…

Professor Roberts: ‘It’s turned it’s course and starting to burn again…you can’t see it move because now it’s heading straight for Metropolis ‘

Superman: ‘Straight toward Metropolis!?...excuse me Professor…I’ve got a date in outer space’

‘A chance that’s all it is…just a chance…it may cost the world a terrible price…Superman’

‘Only Superman can do super things’

‘Well someone has to try and save this world of ours!’

A tremendous episode where the entire production came together…superior direction by Tommy Carr…excellent performances by everyone involved and words for the actors that are compelling and memorable.

Jackson penned THE MACHINE THAT COULD PLOT CRIMES…another enjoyable story with humor and suspense. He was again showing his uncanny versatility.

After that came…THE GOLDEN VULTURE…and LADY IN BLACK.

Another all time favorite AROUND THE WORLD WITH SUPERMAN premiered on March 13th, 1954. Jackson has never been an egotistical man; he had great faith in his editor Harry Gerstad and was very impressed by his work on this episode. He also liked his story editor Mort Weisinger. He didn’t like hanging around the set very much but did see George Reeves a lot of times. He was impressed with Reeves' ability as an actor.

AROUND THE WORLD WITH SUPERMAN is a very touching and sweet installment. The writing and acting create an emotional story that tears at the heart strings as little Ann Carson fights hard to retain her sight. This is probably George Reeves' most nuanced and dramatic performance. His ability to project Superman’s warmth was never stronger.

There’s a touching exchange between Ann and Superman…

‘Who is it?’

‘It’s Superman honey’

‘Are you really Superman…you sound sorta like Mr. Kent?’

‘I’m really Superman’

‘The only people who believe in you are the ones who can see you’

‘Ann…what you whispered is so private I don’t think you even wanted me to hear’

‘Oh, Superman. I wonder if people know how beautiful the world really is…and how beautiful it is to open your eyes and see it.’

Jackson continued to write for THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN until 1956.

He kept creating some endearing scripts…like THE WEDDING OF SUPERMAN…and exciting ones like THE SEVEN SOUVENIRS…THE DEADLY ROCK…THE MAGIC NECKLACE…and THE LUCKY CAT.

He even made his acting debut in the 1955 episode…GREAT CAESAR'S GHOST

Later in the 1950’s he joined the PERRY MASON team and proceeded to write forty-two episodes.

He worked steadily in the 1960’s and 1970’s writing episodes for MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, BONANZA, THE MOD SQUAD, HAWAII FIVE-0 , MANNIX, THE WILD WILD WEST, LOST IN SPACE, POLICE WOMAN, STARSKY HUTCH, CANNON, BARNABY JONES, MURDER SHE WROTE, and WONDER WOMAN. He also gave Peter Falk some of his better lines in COLUMBO and was the executive story consultant on twenty other COLUMBO stories. He even found the time to write two novels!

In 1972 he was nominated for an Emmy for outstanding writing for COLUMBO…and two years later for an Edgar Allan Poe award.

Jackson Gillis resides in Idaho with his wife Patricia. His gifted and all around writing talents have given many generations moments of laughter, tension, pain and joy.

It is with great pride and pleasure we induct a man who can easily be described as a writer…extraordinaire—into The George Reeves Hall of Fame.

Let’s hear it for Mister Jackson Gillis!

A BIG special thanks to Jim Nolt for allowing me to use his interview with Jackson Gillis

If you have anyone you would like to nominate,