Select pages from one of a clutch of tie-in publications (see listing on 2nd pic down) by Grosset & Dunlap, this competently illustrated ultra-kitsch Supergirl cut-out paper doll book was a blatant cash-in on the young female demographic.
Though not as outrageously targeted to the young female market as the trading card set, this bizarre collectable nonetheless remains the only opportunity the world will ever have to see what style shorts Marc McClure’s Jimmy Olsen wears…
Though lacking a merchandising campaign on the scale of her cousin, Touchstone Pictures adaptation of the Maid of Might still yielded some global treasures. From the top, UK Poster magazine by London Editions, Japanese program book, (unusually presented in landscape format but featuring customary outstanding imagery) UK Exhibitors Campaign Book and last but not least, the Storybook based on the film.
In retrospect, with all the creative elements (not to mention budget) in place it seems mystifying now quite why the picture itself failed so dramatically. Many seem to attribute it to a hurriedly rewritten script excising the appearance of Superman as Christopher Reeve infamously rejected the project last-minute. As those early Super-team drafts to my knowledge have never been published I’m reticent to place the blame solely there though undoubtedly it would have been an entirely different experience (not to mention a cinematic first).
Director Jeannot Szwarc was quoted as saying “I don’t think it was a failure, It just wasn’t what people were expecting” neatly evading responsibility for flat direction whilst simultaneously making it the audience problem. In truth, Supergirl did bear more similarity to other fantasy epics of the time such as Krull and The Dark Crystal rather than her Super-namesake due to the inclusion of magic as a plot device intended to emulate The Wizard of Oz but poorly realised. Even the stunning flying effects (by the original Superman unit, perfecting their techniques) and a memorable score by Jerry Goldsmith (finally joining the Super-team having narrowly missed out previous entries) can’t save the flimsy story and a sweet but inexperienced lead actress from being gobbled up by scenery. That being said, such is its cult appeal I must recommend the Anchor Bay DVD release featuring an extended cut as, if you’ve yet to see it, you’ve really not seen Supergirl at all…
A piece of pure 80’s nostalgia – ‘Look-In’ was touted as the ‘Junior TV Times’ but its real purpose was fanboy media in a pre-digital age. Part comic, (featuring full original strips from Buck Rogers, Knight Rider, The Fall Guy and Street Hawk, etc. with amazing art by Superman IV storyboard artist Martin Asbury among others that to this day has never been collected and/or republished) part Pop review (featuring all the artists of the era such as Culture Club, The Thompson Twins & Paul Young) and Movie feature, where an entry in the Superman series always commanded attention…
Enjoy the cover, feature and ‘Colour centre’ from this vintage mag – this poster hung for years on my bedroom wall. My thanks to SuperFan Chris King for restoring it!
Today would have been Christopher Reeve’s 60th birthday. In honour of his memory and to celebrate his tenure as the Man Of Steel I present my collection of images signed at various stages by the man himself –
From the top – autograph dedicated ‘To Mark’ obtained in-person by a crew member at Pinewood Studios during 1978, hand signed index card from the mid-80’s matted with a print from Superman: The Movie, pre-printed card with a shot of Reeve in ’77 and another print taken from BRAVO magazine from 1979.
Forever missed, forever in our hearts & minds – Forever a Superman…
Issued to coincide with the release of Superman II in 1980, this exclusive set of letraset transfer sheets were dropped one at a time into packs of Nabisco Shreddies breakfast cereal. Intended for use with various cityscape ‘action scenes’ printed on the backs of the boxes, kids were free to create their own archaic version of the Metropolis battle.
Though amusingly primitive by today’s standards, the ‘rub down transfer’ craze would be huge in its day with a plethora of science-fiction/action movie/military/TV show offerings in sets featuring numerous figures and backdrop options. Denied a set in its own right, the Superman series was represented only by the promo as shown above and consequently complete sets are scarce. Should this bring on an irresistible wave of nostalgia I recommend visiting action-transfers.com for a comprehensive list…