No, I think Tony, like many other folks, figured that Kent knew how to contact Superman. In fact, in that scene, when Tony notices the straightened rifle, Kent says maybe it's Superman's way of letting Tony know he got Tony's message. Then Tony says, "That's right. He travel so fast, nobody see him." So I don't see any evidence that he made the connection that Kent = Superman.

Possibly.

I'm not sure why it bugs me so much that so many people are oblivious to what should be obvious.

It's ironic, I suppose. I have no problem with the fact that Superman can fly, is impervious to bullets, and has fifty different kinds of vision. Heck, I signed up for that when I watched the show.

My sense of disbelief can't extend to his poorly kept secret identity. Sometimes, he even misspeaks and has to correct himself. Okay. I loved that schtick when I was a kid. And I was the audience they were aiming at, so I guess it is okay.

I watched the show as a young child (born in 1950), and I never had a problem w/the dual identity not being easily guessed by the other characters. I think even children are able to suspend disbelief. Also, Kent and Superman actually do look sort of different. The glasses do make some difference, as do their garb and their different "personalities."

And remember that we know they are the same person partly because we often see Kent start to become Superman, as he takes off his hat and glasses and loosens his necktie. If, as children, we hadn't actually seen the transformation take place in front of our eyes, the difference in identities would likely have been perceived as greater. That's probably the premise that makes "believable" the fact that other characters do not recognize what we see as obvious.

To me, what is even somewhat odder is the fact that in more than one episode Kent breaks the fourth wall by winking and/or smiling into the camera.

I believe that a lot of people know or strongly suspect that Clark Kent and Superman are the same person but realize the importance of his dual identity. So they keep their suspicions to themselves.

I have no strong evidence to support this. I just find it easier to swallow than the alternative: all these reporters, newspaper editors, and police detectives are incompetent.

There were many things I didn't like about Man of Steel but I did like the fact that Amy Adams knew almost from the outset that Clark and Superman were the same. Heck. I like Amy Adams. Period.

@sukhisoo said:

I believe that a lot of people know or strongly suspect that Clark Kent and Superman are the same person but realize the importance of his dual identity. So they keep their suspicions to themselves.

I have no strong evidence to support this. I just find it easier to swallow than the alternative: all these reporters, newspaper editors, and police detectives are incompetent.

I respectfully disagree. Throughout the series there were many times when people (Lois, Jimmy, Mr. White, Inspector Henderson, etc.) clearly would have acted differently if they had thought Kent = Superman, especially in situations where it was imperative that they locate Superman quickly and they were with Kent, who always seemed so helpless.

There were many things I didn't like about Man of Steel but I did like the fact that Amy Adams knew almost from the outset that Clark and Superman were the same. Heck. I like Amy Adams. Period.

Well, that is partly explained by the fact that we now have about 70 more years of experience w/Superman in the media, and more recent Superman movies are more for adults than the TV series was. So they can plot things differently now.

I am reminded of this scene from Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman: