Superman IV Storyboards Cont’d…
The Anatomy Of ‘Double Jeopardy’…
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..!
Bubba, Vera, And The Psychic Nutritionist…
Excised from the Dovemead vaults and acquired by the Propstore Of London, this one-of-a-kind set of continuity Polaroids and costume design sketch from Superman III were used by the wardrobe dept. to keep track of an actors’ appearance scene to scene.
Pictured above; Robert Vaughn, Annie Ross and Pamela Stephenson model their uniquely tasteless 80’s supervillain garb…
Adventure Running In The Family…
Love it or loathe it, The Maid Of Might’s 1984 feature is nothing if not a product of its time.
Originally conceived as as the first Superhero movie team-up, the script was hastily re-written when Christopher Reeve declined last minute to participate and the shortfall is evident. What remains is a curious and somewhat humourless fairytale resplendent with pantomime villainy. Helen Slater’s sensitive and vulnerable performance earned better material while Peter O’ Toole and Faye Dunaway managed to chew up the scenery regardless.
Though their choice of Director (Jeannot Szwarc) was ill-advised, the Salkind’s were prudent enough to retain their effects team from the Superman series and the wirework (especially the ‘Flying Ballet’ sequence) has yet to be surpassed. Beleaguered by poor reviews and a bemused audience expecting another Superman, Supergirl has nonetheless gained a steady cult following over the years thanks in no small part to Jerry Goldsmith’s stirring score.
Shown above is the definitive release from the movie in the form of the Anchor Bay limited Edition DVD from 2000. Years ahead of its time in terms of content, transfer and presentation, this rare 2-disc set contained the never-before-seen directors cut of the film with all-new commentary and the vintage ‘Making Of’ special.
Given the existence of such excellent material and its genuine place in the Superman cinematic canon, its omission from the upcoming Blu-Ray set is mystifying but like everything else associated with this picture, it deserved better…
SuperFanCuts & Bootlegs…
To honour of the passion and efforts of SuperFans to bring you material otherwise unseen, shown above are what I consider to be the most defining works –
‘Fan edits’ are a relatively new concept where software exists to simply re-edit a favourite movie to your taste & specifications. Due to their personal vision they are at best hit & miss and found more often than not clogging up torrent sites. Very occasionally, however, some projects not only revolutionise and rejuvenate certain properties but can generate such enthusiasm and buzz that major studios themselves respond and capitalise on them. The best example of this is the Superman II: Restored International Cut (RIC) that I credit with no less than being the catalyst for WB to invest in the abandoned Richard Donner Cut Of Superman II.
From the top; selection of unofficial DVD’s starting with the longest existing cut (often referred to as the KCOP cut) of Superman; The Movie, Superman II, The RIC and fan edit Superman Redeemed – a bizarre fusion of Superman III and IV in an experiment to make one cohesive picture…