Another SUPERMANIA exclusive courtesy of SuperFan Chris King – Presenting the long-thought lost or destroyed ORIGINAL Baby Kal-El Starship prop!
Only recently discovered in storage at the site of The London Film Museum, this artefact was sat waiting to be identified for the purposes of exhibition until spotted and confirmed to be from Richard Donner’s Superman: The Movie by veteran K-9 Operator and author Steve Cambden on a tour of the facility. It has been on public display ever since for all to enjoy…
Following on from the musical theme of recent posts, here is a selection of vintage images promoting the soundtrack incorporating what was to become one of the most instantly recognisable theme tunes of Movie history.
Legendary Composer John Williams, while forever associated with Spielberg and Lucas is nonetheless responsible for the greatest Superhero music of all time despite twice nearly losing out on the job to Jerry Goldsmith. From the top – rare full-page ad from Variety announcing Warner Bros. as the top Music Publisher of 1978, ad for the 7″ single release, Sheet music cover for ‘Can You Read my Mind’ as performed by Maureen McGovern, and Japanese 7″ Single record sleeve.
Arguably one of the finest soundtrack collections ever assembled, Superman: The Music is nothing less than a dream come true for everybody from completeists to the casual fan.
As much has been written about the set already I need not go into detail save for the fact this comprehensive set is the standard by which everything else must surely be judged. This was reflected by the unprecedented frenzy of its release on Film Score Monthly‘s website where demand had it crashing down, eventually prompting a second pressing.
Notable for its premiere inclusion of the hitherto unreleased complete soundtrack to Superman IV: The Quest For Peace, the liner notes (an exhaustive volume worthy of its own release) even detail the track listing of the abandoned album. Credit must go to producer Mike Matessino who made the ‘Blue Box’ his baby and UK SuperFan Oliver Harper, whose enthusiasm served as a conduit for the involvement of Superman II composer Ken Thorne. Yet more proof of the power and influence of the passionate Superfan…!
From the top – Original photographs of 1st release Blue Box from my collection – Bottom pic; beautiful unused promotional art by Jim Bowers.
A fantastic feature from last month’s Total Film magazine dedicated to analysing some of the greatest scenes in Cinematic history – Yet another testimony to all the talented craftsmen involved in the creation of Superman: The Movie and still as breathtaking after more than thirty years..!
