Beyond Lois Lane, a book by Larry Thomas Ward, brings Noel's past, present, and future into definition through pictures and clippings. It tells the story of Noel's early days as a singer, her time with song and dance numbers carefully documented in rare and restored photographs that you literally stop to stare at for minutes at a time. It's a historical record of the recent past, and a damned fine one, and it gives you just some insight as to what it must have been like to have been lucky enough to experience Noel as she rose to stardom, from small press clippings to official photographs from Superman films.
This book also seeks to alleviate the pigeonhole that Miss Neill is thrust into at times. It points out in broad strokes, through posters, cast pictures, and candids, her voluminous career, prompting her to be characterized as "the Minneapolis actress who probably has had more working days in Hollywood than any other Minneapolis girl" before she played her part in the Superman serial. Point of fact, you look at the list of credits in the back of this book, and you wonder how any three people could have lived up to this resume.
There are some great pictures from the Adventures of Superman series, and the publicity that surrounded it, from meeting with scouts to stills.
From her time as a World War 2 pinup to the filming of Superman Returns, the book runs the absolute gamut. It's accessible, it's in-depth, and it's one of the only photo books that's ever been able to hold the audiences attention.
If you're any kind of Superman fan, or more specifically a Lois fan, you'd be a fool not to check this one out. If you're a movie buff this'll also do the trick. Win-win. Check this one out, folks.
Ā
Ā