As seen in The Making Of Superman II, This elaborate, handmade and intricately detailed model set was commissioned by Producer Ilya Salkind to accommodate the visual effects shots deemed too impractical to shoot full-scale of the devastation caused by the Super-Villians throughout the climactic Metropolis battle.
From the top; Derek Meddings surveys the set while showering it with oil to simulate rainfall, Genuine set-used street sign props, One Way lamp-Post sign (measuring approx. 3 x 8 1/2cm) Bus Stop sign (measuring approx. 7 1/2 x 5 1/2cm), and a group shot of the talented British Model Unit with their creation.
This sequence, (eventually filmed by Richard Lester) ranks amongst some of the finest miniature work from the Superman series and indeed, of the era being practically undetectable to this day…
The first of many posts to come showcasing Superman props displayed in Planet Hollywood restaurants around the world. Above is one of the late Derek Meddings’ intricately detailed Special Effects flying miniatures currently exhibited in the London site. The resin figure is approx. 8″ long, sporting a cloth cape (complete with hand-drawn yellow shield!). These models were often ‘flown’ on invisible thread by way of a channel bore straight through the body and would have been utilized in long-distance shots and the aerial battle in Superman II…
These awesome Japanese Movie flyers or ‘Chirashi’ (measuring approx. 25 1/2 x 18 1/2cm) are notable for their unique compositions, often differing greatly from their western counterparts. They are double-sided and exhibit more images and movie synopses and/or cast information on the rear. This is a rare and very collectable set from all four movies from my collection…
Produced in low numbers and expensive (even at the time of release) this incredibly rare, unlicensed statue by sculptor Lee Ames is notable for being the first ‘Garage Kit’ based on the Superman Movies with the likeness of Christopher Reeve (In a pose from Superman II) ever released.
Made by 5th Sense in the early 1990’s and available exclusively through Frontier Models, In typical ‘Garage’ style, the four part kit (Body, leg, hat and base) in ivory resin came in a plain brown box with label featuring colour picture which doubled as a build guide.
The dynamic pose made the statue top-heavy and skills were required to ‘pin’ it to the base by the one foot. Extensive modifications of the hair and chest shield were also required to make it more screen-accurate. However the portrait of Reeve was decent for the time and the finished result made it a worthy addition to the collection.
