Superman and the Mole Men

Superman and the Mole Men is the 1951 black and white film which served as a pilot of sorts for the long-running Superman TV series. The 58 minute feature is somewhat serious and has a science fiction theme, whereas the TV series was usually more humorous and crime-oriented. In a nutshell, Clark and Lois are sent to investigate a race of subterranean Mole Men who are disturbed by the drilling of the world's deepest oil well. Despite their peculiar appearance, the Mole Men present no threat, and the majority of the story revolves around Superman protecting them and helping the townspeople to overcome their fear and prejudice. Even though George Reeves felt it would go nowhere, the movie was relatively well received, and it led directly to the successful TV series. The feature was eventually turned into a two-part show, and was used as a cliffhanger between the first and second seasons.