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Noel’s Lois Lane Statue Ceremony

The unveiling ceremony for Noel Neill’s Lois Lane statue took place at 10 AM on Friday, June 11, 2010, in Metropolis, Illinois, at the corner of Eighth and Market streets. Neill traveled from California for the special honor, and met the artist who sculpted her likeness, Gary Ernest Smith, in Metropolis. Smith, and Kevin Maag, from Metal Art Foundry, made the journey from Utah for the ceremony. Mayor Billy McDaniel, Angie Shelton and other local officials were part of the unveiling ceremony. CapedWonder™.com and film historian John Field purchased a paver for Noel’ s statue. It was laid in the brick wall today (June 1, 2010). Below is the invitation to the statue unveiling ceremony.

CapedWonder™.com’s representatives were in Metropolis to photograph and video this historic event for our friend Noel Neill. Below are the exclusive photos. Check back later this year for an exclusive video tribute to Noel.

Special SUPER thanks goes out to photographer George Bennett and videographer Thomas King for their dedication, time and talent to create the very best imagery possible of Noel and her friends and fans. I am eternally grateful that I found you, and am so pleased that you were excited to be able to meet Noel and take part in the festivities all weekend long at the Superman celebration.

More SUPER thanks goes out to the statue’s sculptor — Gary Ernest Smith, Kevin Maag from Metal Art Foundry, and the fine folks from DK Masonry in Metropolis, IL — Danny Kidd, Don Harrison, Mike Mellon, Mike Dean, Craig London, and Ralph Lee — who worked very hard to get the bricks and pavers in place in time for the big day!

CapedWonder.com.

Statue Ceremony Gallery

Please enjoy these exclusive CapedWonder™.com photographs of Noel’s statue unveiling ceremony, pre-ceremony construction, and Superman statue in front of city hall. In some of the photos Noel is shown holding a bouchet of flowers that film historian John Field and I gave her.

Three lucky fans won CapedWonder™ 16×20 mounted gallery enlargements at the Superman celebration. The enlargements were on display during Noel’s statue unveiling ceremony and her autograph sessions at the statue. Everyone who went through Noel’s line for an autograph filled out a slip for a chance to win one of the enlargements. Celebration organizers announced the three winner’s names on Saturday on the main stage at 4:30 PM. Fans had to be present to win. The three winners were Brandon Stokes, Stephen Alvey and Keith Howard. Congratulations to all of you!

Here’s the official 2010 Metropolis Celebration poster. Style guide art by José Luis García-López, poster by Karla Ogle, and T-shirt by Steve Stanley.

All Noel Neill statue photos on this page were taken by George Bennett and Brandon Stokes (with the exception of the three gallery enlargements), and all HD video screenshots were taken from Thomas King’s exclusive video footage. Copyright CapedWonder™.com and Jim Bowers. They may not be posted on other websites, blogs, forums, message boards, or social networking sites without prior written permission from Jim Bowers. Jim Bowers is NOT involved with any citizen of Metropolis, IL, nor does he endorse any of the town’s attractions, activities, or celebrations outside of Noel Neill’s statue ceremony.

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‘Beyond Lois Lane

By Author Larry Ward

She starred in her first stage production (in her home town of Minneapolis) when she was but five years old. By the age of eight, she was singing and dancing in Vaudeville and performing on local radio programs. In her teens, she barnstormed the Midwest with several musical groups. She sang for Bing Crosby at his night club at the Del Mar Race Track, and she was a singer for several other orchestras. By the time she was 21, she was appearing in films, eventually making nearly one hundred of them… comedies, musicals, dramas, documentaries, science fiction films, and westerns. In fact, she appeared in more western films than in any other genre.

She was a highly-sought-after model, and one of her modeling photographs eventually became one of the most requested photographs by American GIs during World War II. By 1943 she had her own live television variety show, broadcast on the first television station in Hollywood… the station now known as KTLA. She helped to pioneer beach volleyball by becoming one of the first female beach volleyball players in the United States, and one of the first female surfers in California.

But in spite of these worthy achievements, Noel Neill will always be known as Lois Lane, the intrepid reporter for The Daily Planet. And although she starred with Kirk Alyn in both the 1948 movie serial Superman and the 1950 follow-up, Atom Man vs Superman, Noel Neill is actually best known for playing the iconic character on television in the Adventures of Superman with legendary actor George Reeves from 1953 to 1957. So identified is she with this role that her portrayal of the “girl reporter” set the standard for all Lois Lanes yet to come.

In 2003 the city of Metropolis, Illinois — the adopted home of Superman — officially acknowledged her contribution by naming Noel Neill the “First Lady of Metropolis.”

Though widely associated with the character of Lois Lane, the purpose of this volume is to concentrate primarily on her overall body of work in entertainment through an array of rare publicity stills, studio press releases, film reviews, newspaper commentaries, and candid photographs.

‘Beyond Lois Lane’ is published in a 9×12 hardcover edition at 140 pages and boasts more than 150 full-color photographs. Most of these photographs are either previously unpublished, or have not been seen publicly in more than 60 years… and almost all have never before been published in color. Among the rare photographs are ones from the John Field and Jim Bowers collections, restored by Jim Bowers and Ramón Casares. Noted Superman artist Steve Stanley restored the vintage photograph that graces the cover of the book.

‘Beyond Lois Lane’ is out of print. There are no copies available from the author or Ms. Neill. Noel’s first book, Truth, Justice, & The American Way: The Life And Times Of Noel Neill, The Original Lois Lane, can be purchased on Amazon.com.

CapedWonder.com.

Noel’s 85th Birthday Celebration

Held in Hollywood, California

Lovely Noel Neill, the Original Lois Lane, celebrated her 85th birthday at a party held at the Beverly Garland Hotel in Hollywood on November 26, 2005. About 125 people attended, including many celebrities such as Jack Larson (“Jimmy Olsen”), Lou Ferrigno (“The Incredible Hulk”), Tony Dow (“Leave It To Beaver”), Jon Provost (“Lassie”), and Yvonne Craig (Batgirl in the “Batman” TV series).

Here are exclusive CapedWonder™ birthday party photos. Photographs are Copyright Jim Bowers and Terry Van Tassel. All rights reserved.

Also featured here are the CapedWonder™ birthday banners created especially for the party. They were displayed on easels throughout the Grand Ballroom at the hotel. Special thanks to friends John Field, Larry Ward and Ramón Casares for your assistance with making these banners look great! Thanks also to Sebastian Colombo for your contribution.

Special Thanks to Noel Neill and Larry Thomas Ward for inviting my family and me to this grand affair…it was an honor and pleasure to join you!

CapedWonder.com.

Gallery

It has been an honor and pleasure knowing Noel since 1988. She’s a dear lady…so pleasant, gracious and positive. I am blessed having her in my life. Below are some photos from her career and retired life since Superman at various appearances and events. A few of the photos below were shot at the 1997 Metropolis, IL, Superman celebration. Also below are some unique George Reeves Superman photos.

October 27, 2010 — CapedWonder™.com is very excited to announce that they have recently acquired a one-of-a-kind, rare collection of first-generation prints (from their original camera negatives) from The Adventures of Superman television series starring George Reeves, Noel Neill, Jack Larson, Robert Shayne and John Hamilton. Stay tuned for additional sets in the future. Enjoy!

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Chuck Meade
6 years ago

I remember as a kid loving that Superman theme. Watching Lois and Jimmy, along with the rest was the best show ever! Noel, now that you are not here in flesh, you’ll always be remembered in so many good ways by thousands and thousands of your fans. Such a beautiful person inside and out. Will always have a special place in my heart for such a wonderful lady. Thank you for the memories! R.I.P.
Chuck Meade

Bobby Hurd
7 years ago

R.I.P. NOEL! I’ll still wear the George Reeves Superman shirt on your birthday every year!

DAVID SOMERS
8 years ago

NOEL NEILL FOR 95 YEARS I HAVE LOVED YOU,ADMIRED YOU,FOR YOUR WORKS IN ALL YOU DO.IMAGINE BEING ABLE TO TALK TO JIMMY OR CLARK KENT,FOR MANY OF US IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN,I WISH I COULD WRITE TO YOU AND TELL YOU SO MANY THINGS ,I GUESS MOST OF ALL TO HUG YOU WOULD BE AWESOME,PERHAPS SOMEONE WILL TELL ME HOW TO WRITE YOU,IF YOU PASS AWAY THERE WONT BE HAPPINESS ANYMORE.PLEASE LET ME HEAR FROM YOU. DAVID AT [email protected] HAVE A GREAT DAY NOEL

Martha
8 years ago

Can someone help me with an address to write to Noel Neill please?

Ashley Hudson
9 years ago

Just wonderful to see this history of Lois Lane – nothing like the original Lois!!! Thanks for all the pics, video and the 85th Birthday Photo. Just great to see.

Wayne Brasler
10 years ago

Noel has been loved her entire career in entertainment. Her reputation has always been of being prepared, being professional, being kind and gentle with everyone from the most famous individuals to the most timid fans. Her big acting attribute has been her versatility. She could do drama, comedy, adventure and satire with equal ease. Her acting approach was simple and natural and, therefore, served her well. She worked steadily, which few people in show business can say, and she had a knack for recognizing and seizing opportunities. Most of all, whatever role she played, she herself the real Noel always shone through. It was that very American, very wholesome, very venturesome, clearly independent girl the camera saw.

10 years ago

Thank You, for bringing Lois Lane to life, from you all others will follow you. You are indeed WELL LOVED, and if you see Mr.Jack Larson, please tell him Thank You from a fan. Jeepers Mr. Kent

Dale Johnson
11 years ago

Thanks Noel, for helping give me a ‘super’ childhood. May the Lord continue to bless, guide and use you.

David Chan
12 years ago

we all still love you.