Superman in the Flesh

For Supermaniacs, whose wild devotion to their Man of Steel is a wacky U.S. phenomenon, radio had good news last week. They have devoured Superman in the comics, goggled at him in one-reel movies, have even got him on the air. But all they heard were transcribed programs. Now they can hear Superman in person on programs for which Manhattan's WOR foots the bill.

Handsome, well-built Clayton ("Bud") Collyer, 34, who plays WOR's Superman, stands six feet high, weighs 165 pounds. Though he lacks the original's bulging muscles and jutting jaw, Supermaniacs who have met him in the flesh were not too rudely disillusioned.

In real life radio's Superman is the father of three small children (two girls and a boy), and superintendent of an interdenominational Sunday school at Manhasset, N.Y. Since he took over, the Sunday school's attendance has increased from 700 to 1,250. At first some children expected him to work miracles before their eyes. Now they understand that Clayton is not the real Superman--he merely plays him. Most embarrassing question Sunday-school pupils ask: Is there really a Superman? Clayton's sly answer: They will have to find that out from someone else.

Radio's Superman must have a greater respect for rationalities than he has in comics or movies. Though he can still whiz through the air or break down a wall with his fist, he can push over no buildings, perform no miracles that sound cannot easily convey. Clayton's transformation from the scoop-seeking reporter, Clark Kent, to the mythical Man of Iron is accomplished by carefully deepening his voice and having all companions faint, while he slips on Superman clothes. Superman's monologues must be cut to a minimum, suspense maintained by worrying listeners as to whether he will get to the rescue in time. The war has faced the program with another puzzler: Why hasn't Superman joined the Army? Most plausible answers: as Clark Kent, he couldn't pass the physical exam; and besides, the U.S. Army can win without his help. Superman now does his bit by foiling Axis agents, rescuing troop trains and Clippers, smashing sabotage rings. As in the comics, Superman on the air is important to the United Nations--he is Secret Weapon No. 1.

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