Before CGI, Superman (1948) solved flight with hand-drawn animation. Artists layered animated cels over live-action footage to make Superman fly. It may look dated now — but back then, it was pure innovation.

Better than Slop-AI

Looks better than most CGI in movies these days.

In his early days Superman did not fly. He could jump long distances and very high. If you see the 1940s cartoons it literally says: "he can jump higher than the Empire States byilding".

Kirly Alyn played superman in this superhero tv adaptation.

It got better by the 1950s.

That’s very interesting and great problem-solving.

Wild part is that 1948 Superman feels more imaginative than most CGI today. When tech is limited, craft and problem solving do the heavy lifting.

I think some of the shots in Superman Returns look just as dated today too when they used a CGI model of Brandon Rough.

Except he’s not actually flying…he’s leaping over tall buildings…the Flying is a later adaptation.

I have cels from this.

Back then criminals wore suits just like everyone. Today they dress like slobs just like everyone.

In 2105, the CGI we are currently using will look just as dated.

Better CGI than any new mark whalberg movie

Not too bad, you know anyway that it's not real, even with the best cgi. Very dynamic! I think i could enjoy such a movie.

Imagine living in 1948, with no CGI, only war, noir detectives, and romantic movies. Suddenly there's Superman, who can fly on screen. Must've been jaw-dropping at the time. People flock to the theatre to watch it. Love the costume, too.

Actually looks better than a lot of modern CGI

That looks like Noel Neill, who played Lois in these early shows, and later in the George Reeves series.

I mean, it makes sense. More dynamic than what was done on George Reeves' series.

@jdlaflame

If I was an actor back then I could have won multiple Oscar’s

Could use strings and fake scenery

The acting looks like shit too could you explain that?

That looks better than most CGI made today.

“before CGI”. who runs this page? superman (1978) did it without cgi. do you know practical effects exist?

So how’d he survive all those bullets then smartass

Why don't they use real actor in fly pose ? Cut the background out and put him in the scene ? Drawing already cost frame to frame work anyways, shot on real camera not only look real but less work in long run

Wasnt this before he could fly, but only jump really far?

Well done. It's crude by modern standards, but back then it was cutting edge.

Gotta give it to them they made it work

yea ts actually still look good

Terrible. Fortunately they didn’t do it for too long. Realized quickly it was stupid!

Superman is jumping.