Those of you attempting to open the page ‘Take The Gentleman’s Cape’ in the Costumes section above may find that it has been disabled – the reason for this is it’s now forming the basis of my upcoming addition to the Capedwonder library entitled – you guessed it – ‘Take The Gentleman’s Cape – Tailoring Superman For Cinema’.
After almost 80 years, it seems the fascination with this seemingly most simple of costume designs doesn’t seem to wane. Indeed, even with the latest instalment of the character’s cinematic exploits released only last year, the debate around what makes the perfect Superman outfit rages on and will no doubt start again once the sequel begins filming. My particular take on the subject is that this is your generation’s Superman, so I encourage you to go have fun with it –
Meanwhile, my book will chart the history of the first ‘Longjohn’ character from its conception by the famous pair of Ohio teenagers in the 1930’s through to the final incarnation of the infamous producing duo of the 1980’s. Of course the focal point will be the version worn by Christopher Reeve as realised by Academy Award winning designer Yvonne Blake.
As you may remember from the article hosted on both this site and capedwonder.com, the painstaking research detailing every aspect of the Superman costume from concept to screen makes it the definitive guide on the subject. In the book I will seek to expand on this like never before, with never before seen images, archival and new interviews plus a retrospective on how and where the costumes were made.
On that subject, below the two cover mockups above (neither final) is an unseen image contributed to the book by Steve Hudson showing the storefront of the Irving Street branch of Bermans & Nathans, circa 1981. Young Steve is posing outside the shop having just purchased a complete Stromberg Costume (from The Spy Who Loved Me) off the rack for £15 (can you imagine??)
Finally and crucially, the impetus to commit the book to print came courtesy of my good friend and SuperFan Philip Hawkins, who put me in touch with the legendary British costume designer John Bloomfield. Not only was he kind and forthcoming with all his original designs for Superman IV: The Quest For Peace (Which will be lovingly reproduced in the book) but also generous enough to provide a really touching introduction where he looks back on his career and fondly recalls his time choosing wardrobe for Christopher Reeve.
The book is being worked on right now so does not yet have a release date – I will keep you updated (and feel free to leave a message if you have anything to contribute, especially former Bermans employees!) but rest assured I’m working hard to deliver a product worthy of the capedwonder library no collector will want to be without..!