New additions to the fantastic retro-style wallpapers courtesy of artist Jayce76 –
Jayce clever reworkings of vintage Variety ads amongst others here gives these pieces a look of complete authenticity. The Salkind’s famously mounted quite the campaign from 1976 onward to capture the imagination of the movie-going public and would continue throughout production and even beyond.
Some of the best examples of these are peppered throughout this blog in the Superman: The Movie section where the fascinating evolution of the project culminates in the film still regarded as the arguably the best comic-book adaptation of all time…
This latest recommended reading for fans of the Superman movies comes with nothing less than an endorsement from the man himself –
‘Superman In The Seventies’ is a nostalgic look back at some of the defining stories of the decade with sharp reprints of such classics as ‘Superman Breaks Loose’ (where the threat of Kryptonite is eradicated by an explosion and The Man Of Steel eats some to prove it) and the controversial Lois Lane story ‘I Am Curious (Black)!’ where with Superman’s help the girl reporter transforms into an African-American to research a story.
And what better way to represent the times than the actor who would define him in that era and beyond? Christopher Reeve’s introduction (shown above) shares thoughts on the genesis and and endurance of the character with a typically modest acknowledgement of his contribution to the legend. However keen Reeve was to stress his status of custody was temporary, he is a constant in our hearts & minds…
From the top, cover, introduction and feature from the trade paperback released in 2000…
Extraordinary never-before-seen images from the portfolio of ‘ParkStreetParrot’ and his close encounter with the filming of Superman IV: The Quest For Peace on the London Orbital.
From the top – Christopher Reeve confers with Gene Hackman & Jon Cryer, a wide shot of the crew and ramp rig, (to simulate the car being hoisted from beneath) Billboard set-dressing and the two cars used for the sequence (note the ‘stunt’ car held aloft by wires).
To be continued..!
Presenting the concluding part of the London Editions Super Heroes Monthly ‘Superman II Special Movie Issue’ – the article concluding nicely with an autographed image from leading lady Margot Kidder as Lois Lane.
The issue was also unique for providing a ‘clean’ version of the cover painting (by Alan Craddock) as the back cover. Still occasionally available on popular auction sites, this curio is a worthy addition to any Super-collection…
Another SUPERMANIA exclusive, courtesy of photographer ‘ParkStreetParrot’ who tells his remarkable story about discovering the cast & crew of Superman IV: The Quest For Peace on location towards the end of the shoot –
“The photos were taken on 10 October 1986, a few weeks before the M25 opened (the official opening ceremony occurred about a mile from this location between Junction 21 and 22, by Margaret Thatcher)
Its a long time ago, but I must have had a day off, I received local intelligence that this was happening (I had a relative that was involved in the M25 project ).
There was remarkably little security by today’s standards. I arrived with my trusty Canon A1 and took a couple of rolls of film. Most of these pictures have never been seen before. I may have processed the films myself, I did that with black and white films. The quality is not so good and may have been down to poor processing!
I learned a couple of lessons at this event . I wanted to supply some pictures to a local newspaper, so I called them – but they asked me where it was happening and I told them so they sent their own guy! The second lesson was that you have to hang about, even if its getting tedious and nothing is happening – I didn’t do this and went home after about 3 hours. Later in the day, maybe because the light was better later, Christopher Reeve (or the stuntman) was filmed underneath the car, pretending to fly away with it – these were the pictures that appeared in the local paper a few days later – D’oh!!
Since that time, this part of the M25 has become one of the busiest sections (if you imagine a clock face its at the 12 o’ clock position), and the motorway has just been widened to accommodate another lane each side…”
The above is a selection of never-before-seen prints reproduced here with the kind permission of the photographer with more to follow in upcoming posts…!
