SUPERMANIA is proud to present the splendid result of a personal project by SuperFan Alexei Lambley-Steel of christopherreeve.co.uk to perfectly replicate Clark Kent’s tie from Superman: The Movie. See the pics above for the obvious dedication to detail for this most complex of patterns and coolest of tributes. As Alexei wanted to offer a short run to fans he asked me to write a short promo –
“Any more at home like you…?”
Presenting a very unique opportunity to own a replica of the necktie as worn by Christopher Reeve in his defining role as Clark Kent in 1978’s Superman: The Movie. Digitally reproduced using the highest-quality photographs, this fantastic vintage design in Silver, Black, Red and Blue is handmade in the UK from 100% woven silk with Polyester lining and 146cm long and is a fully wearable/displayable prop from the Classic Movie! Special offer price of £25 + shipping for a very limited one time run of 35!
I’m pleased to report that the item in-hand is fantastic quality, not only a great prop but quite the fashionable wardrobe addition for the City Beat. While the run is almost at an end, should you wish to purchase one of the last few remaining go here for more details – see you at the Planet office, and don’t call me Chief…
In continuation of this post documenting the original Superman costume exhibited in Planet Hollywood, Orlando, the images above show that by 2002 the display had been removed from its flying pose the ceiling of the Downtown Disney seating area and relocated to the restaurant lobby.
Having presumably accumulated years of dust and dirt from its years suspended in the open, the costume was in all probability cleaned before being remounted on an unsuitably thin silver mannequin looking worn and considerably faded. While the new display was given an optimum position in the walkway, the new surround (a broken brick wall diorama and chains) lacked the impact of its former home and its plexiglass tube made it almost impossible to photograph. The sign was also changed from the classic Planet Hollywood tag to a garish one mounted at the mannequin’s feet.
As we now know, this costume was the former property of Producer Ilya Salkind, who, retaining it after production of Superman III had used it to audition John Haymes Newton as Superboy as well as in the series itself (also filmed in Orlando) before donating it to the Planet Hollywood chain when it opened in 1994. As was customary in PH restaurants, the memorabilia on display was circulated throughout the sites to keep the decor fresh. Most of the items on show were originals, however some (in the case of Stallone’s props from Demolition Man and Schwarzennegger’s Terminator) were produced in limited numbers just for display. Many of the props and costumes would also be retired if the were damaged or became tatty.
For example, when Planet Hollywood reopened in the newly-renamed Disney Springs in 2017, the Superman costume was given its own gallery space at the top of the entrance stairwell, but was noticeably different than before – in fact it had been replaced by a replica and passed off as the real thing – something the chain was becoming more prone to after standards slipped since its bankruptcy in 2000.
As for the fate of the original Salkind costume, its whereabouts was a mystery for years until fans recently spotted it featuring in the Planet Hollywood Resort, Las Vegas – in the appropriately named ‘Superman Penthouse Suite’ on the 28th floor where it remains to this day…
Further selections from the Superman novel back-catalogue include possibly the finest of them all – from top – ‘The Making Of Superman: The Movie’ by David Michael Petrou is a disarmingly honest account of the largest and most expensive production of its day. Aside from the thorough coverage of everything from casting to Special Effects, Petrou manages also to convey the sheer excitement and magic of bringing the Man of Steel to life.
Despite its fun tagline ‘Once upon a time-warp’ the novelization of Supergirl by Norma Fox Mazer is standard Movie Tie-In fare built almost word for word around the screenplay by David Odell (made even less appealing by its lack of picture gallery in the centre!)
Before its shoe-in as the novelization of Superman: The Movie (offered among the glut of other glossy offerings from Warner Books) Elliot S! Maggin’s origin story ‘Last Son of Krypton’ was first published by Arrow in 1978. As the events depicted within (although well-executed) bear little resemblance to the final film the comic-book style cover was far more appropriate.
Lastly, the ‘Man of Steel’ by Andrew Helfer was released in 1983 under the banner of the popular ‘Super Powers’ toy line by Kenner. This ‘which way’ book (where the reader has the option to choose the story’s outcome as he reads) was popular in the ’80’s and is written in the style of pure comic-book fodder…
September 25th would have been Christopher Reeve’s 59th birthday.
Still sorely missed his influence and spirit are stronger than ever seen through the eyes of his offspring as they continue to campaign for his beloved cause while we watch them grow to be the echo of their father. You can join them in honouring his legacy and life by visiting this this page and making a contribution.
One can only imagine how proud our Superman must be of them and of the fact he is remembered with such affection. We still believe…
Pictured above – Pages culled from Japan Screen magazine of Christopher Reeve’s promotional tour for Superman: The Movie…
Once described by Newsweek columnist Jack Kroll as having a face ‘as sharp & strong as an axe blade’ Christopher Reeve’s features were ideally suited for the transition of Superman from the comic-book page to Silver Screen.
Pictured from top is the very latest addition to my collection both echoing this sentiment and representing the end of a personal crusade to locate and obtain this rarest of ‘lifecasts’ of the man himself. This indisputably genuine cast taken from Reeve’s face during the production of the Superman films is the work of make-up guru Stuart Freeborn (bottom pic, Far left). Freeborn (who turned 97 this past week!) is a bona-fide legend in the industry and remained makeup Supervisor for all four Reeve pictures.
Besides famously serving as the face model for Yoda from The Empire Strikes Back, Freeborn was responsible for the differentiation in appearance between Clark & Superman as well as the vile demeanour for his Evil persona in Superman III. As illustrated in the last pic, Freeborn made multiple casts of the principals mainly for infrequently-used stand-in dummies (e.g. The Fire & Ice scene in Superman: The Movie) and other effects sequences but despite this, few were thought to exist beyond the end of production. Indeed, the only evidence of a surviving example was featured in a lot offered some years ago from the Freeborn estate by the Propstore Of London and was snapped up for a handsome price even in its battered state, making this newly-discovered sharper example all the more desirable…
