Welcome to 2011 and a premiere post featuring no less than set-used props from Superman: The Movie!
Acquired from the outstanding team at the Propstore of London, this set comprises of (from the top) Genuine Daily Planet typewriter paper (as seen in close-up) A Planet envelope (as carried by Clark for Lois to the changing room) a file spine and finally a sheet of notepaper.
These were all created as set dressing/functional props to litter the busy Newspaper office and used throughout all four movies. Check out Propstore’s site for even more Superman rarities!!
Exclusive to the UK and released in 1988, Superman; The Collection was one of the first VHS boxsets made available by Warner Bros. under the Hollywood Nites banner.
Assembled from the second run of individually released titles and repackaged as The Superheroes collection (to include Salkind productions Supergirl and Santa Claus: The Movie) the set was limited and expensive (see above ad from the Woolworths Christmas catalogue) at the time and therefore a rarity today.
Contained in a handsome box utilising elements of the shield graphic from Superman: the Movie and Daniel Goozee’s poster art for Superman IV: The Quest For Peace, its interesting to note how many production companies were tied into the distribution deals (WB/Weintraub/Cannon/Hollywood Nites) before Warner’s regained full ownership of the rights in 1993. It would literally be decades before advances in technology would permit them to revisit the titles once again for a more definitive boxset in DVD format…
Some fine examples from the Japanese advertising campaign for Superman: The Movie in 1978.
Of all the artwork used to spread the word of the Man Of Steel’s cinematic debut, the designs from the Far East were easily the sharpest and most colourful. From the top, magazine ad, Chirashi-style leaflets and article splash page…
More exclusive photographs from the Superman hall in the Mostra de Valencia showing Marlon Brando’s Kryptonian robes from the Council scenes in Superman: The Movie.
This exhibit marks the very first time the costume has been available to view so intimately by the public – From the top; Note the complete ensemble (having been taken with a flash) showing off the properties of the 3M material exactly how it appeared in the movie – the fabric being composed of beaded glass to reflect light to great effect. A close-up of The ‘S’ insignia on Brando’s tunic – this feature initially confused audiences until it became apparent all Kryptonian society have crests emblazoned on their chests – These black velvet symbols were encrusted with rhinestones under costume designer Yvonne Blake’s instruction to further enhance their impact.
The costume shot without flash reveals the detail of the 3M material cut into uneven pieces and applied by hand to construct the garments. This had to be done with cotton gloves as the material was sensitive and would lose its reflective property when mis-handled…
In association with the amazing supermanjaviolivares.net I’m ecstatic to present the above photographs taken last week in from the Festival Internacional De Cine De Accion Y’Adventura in the Mostra de Valencia, Spain.
This venue is currently playing host to the largest archive of Warner Brothers original props and costumes from their Superhero franchises ever seen in public exhibition, with entire halls devoted to both Batman and Superman franchises.
On display in the Superman gallery are both Christopher Reeve and Brandon Routh’s Superman costumes, and for the first time outside of the WB museum, Marlon Brando’s original Jor-El costume.
The exhibits are notable for the fact the pieces are totally accessible to the public as they are not behind barriers nor shielded by acrylic cases so these expensive garments can be researched as never before. My sincere thanks to SuperFan Javier Olivares Tolosa for providing what is the best photo reference of this most complex of costumes to date.
An exhaustive article written by me about the Reeve costume can be found here
