Easily the most recognisable and iconic prop from the movie series – Star Wars designer John Barry’s conception that Krypton was a world forged from Crystalline would also be utilised as the basis of their technology.
A staple of the comic mythos today, the knowledge crystals (now named Sunstone Crystals) and the use of symbols to denote Kryptonian clans were nonetheless elements introduced by the movies.
Replicas of Jor-El’s gift to his son have been prevalent for some years in the form of resin castings. These, while adequate, are traditionally not based upon actual props but a generic close-enough design and often identifiable by rough and/or bubble-filled casting. The replica above has been cast in a very limited run in REAL crystal and is a direct copy of the prop used by Christopher Reeve in his scenes from Superman II…
Shot on location in London’s Hippodrome nightclub in November 1986, the crystal-clear stills above were the only evidence for decades that the scenes set in the grand opening of ‘The Metro Club’ were indeed filmed, serving to develop the relationship between Clark and Lacy and also introduce the archaic Nuclearman I.
According to the script, Clark not only manages to jump a waiting Newlywed couple past the mean bouncers at Super-Speed but then sweep Lacy literally off her feet by levitating whilst in a clinch. This entire sequence may have not made it to the screen but did make it into the comic-book adaptation, where the scripted dialogue is also nicely preserved.
Allegedly the only reason for the footage exclusion in the Superman IV; Deluxe Edition DVD was the lack of music copyright which has since been rectified. UK pop group Re-Flex provided tracks for these scenes which was finally released in its entirety in the Superman; The Music Boxed Set. Hopefully in future a Blu-Ray release will reinstate it, finally making the deleted scenes complete, albeit in workprint form…
In an age long before the introduction of the digital press pack, these campaign pamphlets would be distributed to Cinemas in advance of release.
Containing the Movie synopsis, cast info, competitions and ad. slicks of varying size – they would also be the source of ordering posters and 10×8 photographs. Increasingly scarce due to their fragility and the fact they were usually disposed of after use – this complete set, however, survives to this day in excellent condition…
A truly incredible and unique display – this intricate life-size creation was on loan from Stephen Lane’s (Propstore of London) personal collection to the Movieum Of London (now rebranded The London Film Museum) last year.
Not only is the reworked portrait of Christopher Reeve generated from one of Stuart Freeborn’s few surviving lifecasts but the costume is 100% original and one of the finest examples still in existence today. Worn by Reeve and screen-matched to the Luthor’s lair confrontation scenes in Superman: The Movie and the alleyway change scene in Superman II, the costume is ideally preserved on a custom mannequin and standing proudly in the magnificent rooms of County Hall, a breathtaking and eerie experience to behold.
The detail evident in the images above were so revealing I was able to compile arguably the most definitive article to date about the Superman costume hosted exclusively here…
A rare interview from the Starlog Yearbook with the ‘Creative Consultant’ who only recently received full & true recognition for his contribution to the Superman movie mythos.
Chances are you’ve seen most of the pictures he’s written without even knowing it- especially if you are a fan of the Bond franchise. Tom has a special place in the hearts and minds of all Superman fans and we salute him, he will be sadly missed…
