A M*A*S*H regular was in the TV movie adaptation of a Superman musical

It's a bird... It's a plane... It's Major Houlihan?

It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman! is the musical adventure of Clark Kent as he tries to defeat Dr. Abner Sedgwick, a ten-time Nobel Prize–losing scientist who is looking to avenge himself by destroying Superman. Not only that, but he must protect Lois Lane from a jealous Max Mencken, who resents Lane for her success and attraction to Superman.

The musical made its first appearance on Broadway at the Alvin Theatre on March 29, 1966. Directed by Harold Prince, it received three Tony Award nominations in the categories of Best Actor, Best Featured Actor in a Musical, and Best Featured Actress in a Musical.

In 1975, ABC picked up the musical and filmed a televised version of the production to air on February 21, 1975. The cast was studded with stars of the time, including Kenneth Mars and Lesley Ann Warren, who both made appearances on shows like Columbo and Gunsmoke. Mars played the role of the evil Mencken.

Warren played the starring role of Louis Lane, the smart, determined reporter working alongside Clark Kent and keeping close tabs on her super crush, Superman.

ABCSwit as Sydney Carlton

A much more familiar MeTV star was in the cast, too. Loretta Swit of M*A*S*H fame played the role of Sydney Carlton, a witty and seductive secretary that helps to boost Kent's confidence and woo Lane.

While both Swit and Warren were dedicated to their song-and-dance appearances, Swit got to sing the number that still pops up in audition rooms and scene classes across the country. Swit had the opportunity to perform the song "You've Got Possibilities," a stand-out number in which Carlton tries to remove Clark's clothes and seduce him. The hilarity of the situation is, should she succeed in getting under his dress shirt, she would reveal the telltale Superman costume underneath!

ABCDavid Wilson as Superman

Swit, dressed in a slinky black dress and black gloves, dances actor David Wilson around the office, running her hands over him and convincing him that he does, indeed, have the confidence to confess his love to Lane. 

Can you imagine Hot Lips doing a DC Comics song and dance number? 


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15 Comments

Delmo 33 months ago
Hey MeTV, there are better sources for photos of David Wilson as Superman than a soft frame grab...
bbMeTv 52 months ago
My favorite M*A*S*H character, and one of my favorite Goddesses!
jfddoc 53 months ago
And it was Linda Lavin (Alice) who sang the hit song, "You've Got Possibilities", in the 1966 musical. Bob Holiday played Superman and Jack Cassidy also had a starring role. I was fortunate enough to see it before it closed.
jholton30062 54 months ago
"Warren played the starring role of Louis Lane..." I think that should be Lois...
bbMeTv jholton30062 52 months ago
#TyposAreHilarious
ScarlettKaiju 54 months ago
I could be wrong, but isn't that the movie Hot Lips, Sally Kellerman, in the top photo?
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cperrynaples ScarlettKaiju 54 months ago
Did not know Warren was up for the movie, guess the TV show killed that! Channing chose to be Rizzo instead! You are SO right about Warren, she is the female Robert Wagner!
I noticed her too.
kmarsh12 ScarlettKaiju 54 months ago
It looks like Swit , to me. However, those who know me well have said I don't know Swit.
Delmo cperrynaples 33 months ago
The Superman musical adaptation did not kill Lesley Ann Warren's chances for playing Lois Lane in the 1st Chris Reeve film. They chose Margot instead. And that is Loretta Swit in the framegrab above, not Sally Kellerman.
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