A special Thanksgiving treat -presenting another genuine SUPERMANIA exclusive – acquired directly from an anonymous on-set source come these incredible behind the scenes prints taken in the flying unit at Elstree Studios circa 1986.
Suspended by harnesses above the camera crew on the studio floor are Christopher Reeve and Mark Pillow shooting the scene of Nuclearman’s capture and demise. In similar fashion to archived posts, These photographs are part of a new bulk lot chronicling the making of Superman IV: The Quest For Peace.
Many more exciting additions to come..!
Currently in exhibition at the appropriately futuristic EMP (Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum) of Seattle, Washington are these two incredible artefacts from the Superman series. Since June 2012 the ‘Icons Of Science Fiction’ display has wowed visitors with an impressive collection of authentic props and costumes from Alien to Star Trek while offering an insight into Sci-Fi’s literary roots.
From the top; SuperFan and colleague Jason DeBord of the original prop blog photographed the original Superman costume from Superman IV: The Quest For Peace on a recent visit – though the belt stands out as reproduction and the squat nature of the mannequin lend the display odd proportions (third pic from google search)
The museum’s real coup, however, is the detailed miniature of the baby Kal-El Starship from Superman: The Movie preserved with its pylons and even some of its clear ‘flying’ lines intact. Though an unknown number of these type of miniatures were produced by Derek Meddings’ team, its scale makes me think it could be traced back to last being on public display in London’s Planet Hollywood. Still an impressive design, the amazing shot by Eric Skaar (bottom pic) depicts it in all its otherworldly glory.
Read Jason DeBord’s full report on the visit here…
Presenting the conclusion of the magnificent Superman IV storyboard feature (plus cover) from Retro-Vision magazine. While the final scene as photographed entirely lacks the dynamism of Martin Asbury’s art, it is nonetheless shot for shot as seen on the deleted scenes of the Superman IV: The Quest For Peace Deluxe Edition DVD where the workprint features a hideous/hilarious edit with temporary soundtrack and unfinished special effects. One major difference between the two mediums is the ending of the fight where the storyboard offers a far more suitable conclusion to the clash (where Nuclearman ‘shorts out’ in the lake) unlike the bizarre obliteration by Catherine Wheel that awaits him in the ‘completed’ scene…
On loan from the BFI Archive and part of a vast collection of wardrobe chronicling over 100 years of cinema, The London Victoria & Albert museum will be exhibiting a complete costume from Superman IV: The Quest For Peace from next week.
The Hollywood Costume exhibition runs until January 27th 2013 and covers three expansive galleries. Mounted in a flying position and free from inhibiting plexiglass, this is a rare opportunity to see one of the few genuine Superman costumes worn by Christopher Reeve up close and in detail. The exhibition also has the clever feature of LCD screens with stills of the actor’s faces in place of generic mannequins.
SUPERMANIA will be bringing you a full report from the site with accompanying photographs soon – thanks to Zimbio.com for the exclusive behind the scenes pics above…
Just before posts resume from the contents of the ‘Big Red Book’ of storyboards from Superman IV: The Quest For Peace I offer this fantastic vintage article from the pages of Retro-Vision magazine. Besides a thorough chronicle of the Superman series (with an emphasis on the extended editions long before their subsequent discovery and release on DVD) the issue contained this unpublished storyboard set showing the Metro Club exit and Nuclearman 1 battle in its entirety shot for shot. As the only other evidence of this sequence at the time was the comic adaptation and a few grainy photos, this, as you can imagine, was quite the revelation. Enjoy Martin Asbury’s energetic art and rue the fact we have yet to see Superman’s emergence from the Ladies room on film. Part 2 plus cover coming soon…
