Thorn Vs. Weintraub…

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More scarce Japanese imports from the SUPERMANIA collection – highlighting another double dip for Richard Lester’s Superman III.  Though once again beautifully presented  there are some curious artwork inclusions here – notice the stills from Superman: The Movie in the gatefold of the first disc (second pic) and the striking cover for the second (third pic down) utilising a frame of Superman smashing through the shield from the opening of the Superman III teaser trailer.

With a first release by Thorn/EMI seemingly covering all the bases again it seems a mystery why there should be a subsequent one by the Weintraub Corporation.  I know little of Weintraub’s connection with this film, (save for their ugly logo interfering with what otherwise would be a perfectly uniform set on VHS) but it seems they were eschewed for later releases on different formats.  If anybody can clarify Weintraub’s involvement with the Superman series, feel free to leave a comment…

Coming soon, Superman IV

 

WHV Vs. Evergreen…

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Further pristine examples from the SUPERMANIA collection with a Laserdisc double-dip for Richard Lester’s Superman II. 

Both these Japanese imports boast the customary fabulous artwork on the covers & gatefold although quite why there should be two separate releases (one under the ‘Ever Green’ banner) escapes me.  Anybody versed in Laserdisc history should feel free to leave a comment…

 

East Vs. West…

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Enjoy this first in a series of posts dedicated to showcasing the various incarnations of the Superman Motion Picture series on Laserdisc.  I was lucky enough to recently acquire a complete set of rare Japanese releases to compliment my small collection of US/UK equivalents –

Naturally the Japanese versions (top three pics) reign supreme design-wise with their customary attention to detail and producing pin sharp imagery for their packaging.  Featuring a striking front/back cover and gatefold full of black & white publicity shots, the two-disc set is parallel in quality to the original Superman: The Movie soundtrack album. Languishing behind is the US version (bottom pic) with second-rate graphics and afterthought presentation with two discs crammed tightly into one sleeve.

I wish I could offer some insight into the picture/sound quality of the discs themselves but as Laserdisc was a format I managed to bypass completely back in the day I lack the equipment to play them, although I’ve heard it said many times their quality trampled VHS.  Nevertheless as collectables these pieces feature some rare imagery and are among some of the nicest I own – look out for the sequels in posts to come..!

 

‘The Collection’ Pt. 2…

Following on from this post celebrating the release of one of the first-ever VHS ‘boxsets’, by Warner Bros – shown above are scans of the original cover sleeves of the ‘Superheroes’ collection.

Note the picture error on the Superman II artwork and the quaint yellow boot-tops in the Superman illustration used throughout the set (artist unknown) and the overbearing Weintraub logo (preventing the set from looking uniform) across the bottom of Superman III.

Also released in the Superheroes line but absent from the boxset was 1984’s Supergirl, a trend that would continue throughout subsequent formats to this day…

 

One Classic FIlm…

Many formats.

The above is just a sample of the huge output Warner Bros. has released over the last three decades in a fine demonstration of the longevity of this timeless classic.

From the top, Super8 reel, NTSC Laserdisc, VHS cassette with feature in Widescreen (I remember this being very exciting in 1993, look how far we’ve come!!) and the 2001 Special Edition DVD.  One wonders what can we expect in the years to come beyond Blu-ray?  Superman in 3D?  Time will tell but ultimately there is no substitute for reliving the experience on the silver screen – Take Flight…!