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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 CarltonA 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 SupermanSwit, 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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