To commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the US release of Superman IV: The Quest For Peace this month in Theatres, I present this archival feature from UK Sci-Fi magazine Starburst #110 with insights from Nuclearman himself, Mark Pillow.
Of particular note is the Superman IV prop exhibition attended by both Mark and leading lady Margot Kidder in London’s Hamleys toy store where the interview was conducted on 22nd July 1987, some two days before the UK premiere. Note Mark’s portrait against what looks like a model of the Soviet Satellite from the opening sequence of the movie –
SUPERMANIA is looking for any more pictures and info from this event – did you attend all those years ago during its seven-week run? I’d love to hear from you…!
SUPERMANIA brings you a comprehensive update on this archive post regarding the above full-size prop re-photographed by me only days ago –
As previously reported, the Baby Kal-El Starship had been mothballed waiting to be researched for exhibition in the London FIlm Museum until its discovery and subsequent identification by a visiting fan. The presumption was that the meteorite was the prop used in Richard Donner’s original Superman: The Movie but upon close inspection I can exclusively reveal it is in fact no such thing. Instead, the prop currently residing in the Great Hall is a relic from the opening scenes of Superman IV: The Quest For Peace.
Proof of this is the orifice in the right hand side of the inner chamber (second pic down) where the ‘Energy Module’ left by Lara as her ‘Last Gift’ to her son Kal-El emerges before being removed. As the crash landing scenes in Donner’s ’78 picture were shot in Canada, it was always curious as to how the ship made its way back to the UK in such pristine state when Part IV’s location work was limited to these shores.
I recommend a visit to the museum to see this piece up close as its remains a well maintained prop and a genuine piece of Movie history. Should the London Film Museum wish to update their plaque to identify the item correctly and with accompanying stills, however, they are more than welcome to contact me…
SUPERMANIA brings you yet another intriguing European collectable – this time with the German Superman IV: The Quest For Peace comic adaptation.
In stark contrast to the hastily produced US standard four-colour version (lacking all the attention lavished on the Superman III issue with its photo covers, etc.) and presented as a colourful, glossy magazine, this publication includes a feature and the godawful German poster (above) as a centrefold. Quite why the European Cannon advertising exec felt the compulsion to decapitate Daniel Goozee’s beautiful one-sheet art so his four-year old child could have a go at painting around it still baffles. That and the questionable publicity for NASA to promote their Nuclear missile..?
Presenting the final set of unpublished photographs taken by ‘ParkStreetParrot’ of the cast & crew on location during the shooting of Superman IV: The Quest For Peace.
Beside his starring duties, Christopher Reeve took story credit (along with Lawrence Konner & Mark Rosenthal) and also second unit direction. From the top, Reeve having fun/practicing his golf swing, Gene Hackman & Jon Cryer rehearsing their escape alongside the camera car and Reeve awaiting his call…
My sincere thanks to SuperFans Sebastian Columbo, Alexei Lambley-Steel and Seby Ravi for their assistance in solving the identity of the man standing with Christopher Reeve in the top image.
Amazingly, some 25 years later, actor/entertainer Donald Standen is still making public appearances as The Man Of Steel having been elected as Reeve’s personal choice of on-set double (as highlighted in the production used call sheet from the Metro Club scene, second pic) for Superman IV: The Quest For Peace. A familiar face on British TV thanks to his appearances in numerous commercials, (including the Superman themed one for Specsavers posted above) Donald is the face of Action Hero Events where he can be booked to appear in character for themed evenings, predominantly as his other persona, James Bond.
SUPERMANIA wishes Don all the best in his endeavours and is pleased to see him keeping the spirit alive…
