Yet another hot-off-the-press SUPERMANIA exclusive – while the images above at first glance would arguably pass as an authentic, full size Christopher Reeve costume, what you are seeing in fact is the development and fitting stages of an outfit for a premiere ONE THIRD scale statue. (click on pics for larger images).
Standing at an incredible 25 inches when finished, (note the the fingers in the 3rd pic down for scale) this latest of sculptures by US SuperArtist Bob Causey is a variation of his 1:1 project and will be produced in a very limited run.
Among the lucky recipients of these will be SuperFan Chris King, who has served as consultant for many Superman model projects (including mine) and has commissioned this costume to be constructed in miniature using exactly the same techniques as the full-size counterpart. (including the S/shield painstakingly drafted by Sebastian Columbo and sewn into, not onto the tunic!) Stay tuned for more updates as this impressive project develops…
Excised from the Dovemead vaults and acquired by the Propstore Of London, this one-of-a-kind set of continuity Polaroids and costume design sketch from Superman III were used by the wardrobe dept. to keep track of an actors’ appearance scene to scene.
Pictured above; Robert Vaughn, Annie Ross and Pamela Stephenson model their uniquely tasteless 80’s supervillain garb…
The Superman exhibit in the Six Flags Movieland Wax Museum Of Buena Park, CA. had the distinction of being the first (and most expensive) installation in the Stars Hall Of Fame for the blockbuster movie of 1978. Christopher Reeve himself attended sittings with renowned sculptor Logan Fleming (second pic) to capture his likeness and the finished figure would stand proudly atop an elaborate custom-made Fortress Of Solitude set in an original costume gifted by Warner Bros.
A top attraction for many years, time and dwindling numbers meant the Museum would close its doors forever in 2005, by which time the Superman figure (in similar fashion to the waxwork figure from London’s Madame Tussauds) had been stripped of its original costume (Bottom pic) before being sold in auction for $16,000 just days after the untimely death of Dana Reeve…
More exclusive photographs from the Superman hall in the Mostra de Valencia showing Marlon Brando’s Kryptonian robes from the Council scenes in Superman: The Movie.
This exhibit marks the very first time the costume has been available to view so intimately by the public – From the top; Note the complete ensemble (having been taken with a flash) showing off the properties of the 3M material exactly how it appeared in the movie – the fabric being composed of beaded glass to reflect light to great effect. A close-up of The ‘S’ insignia on Brando’s tunic – this feature initially confused audiences until it became apparent all Kryptonian society have crests emblazoned on their chests – These black velvet symbols were encrusted with rhinestones under costume designer Yvonne Blake’s instruction to further enhance their impact.
The costume shot without flash reveals the detail of the 3M material cut into uneven pieces and applied by hand to construct the garments. This had to be done with cotton gloves as the material was sensitive and would lose its reflective property when mis-handled…
In association with the amazing supermanjaviolivares.net I’m ecstatic to present the above photographs taken last week in from the Festival Internacional De Cine De Accion Y’Adventura in the Mostra de Valencia, Spain.
This venue is currently playing host to the largest archive of Warner Brothers original props and costumes from their Superhero franchises ever seen in public exhibition, with entire halls devoted to both Batman and Superman franchises.
On display in the Superman gallery are both Christopher Reeve and Brandon Routh’s Superman costumes, and for the first time outside of the WB museum, Marlon Brando’s original Jor-El costume.
The exhibits are notable for the fact the pieces are totally accessible to the public as they are not behind barriers nor shielded by acrylic cases so these expensive garments can be researched as never before. My sincere thanks to SuperFan Javier Olivares Tolosa for providing what is the best photo reference of this most complex of costumes to date.
An exhaustive article written by me about the Reeve costume can be found here
