Superman: the original movies

Superman The Movie is the template by which all "superhero" movies are measured. There would not even be a superhero genre that is predominant today. Donner created "realism"...that "V" word, without even any thoughts to being campy. Remember, the only succcessful superhero crossover (comics to tv) then was BAtman. His creative partner Tom Mankiweiz did a great job of filtering Mario's telephone book screen adaptation. Donner went on to oversee the special effects crew to accomplish that a "man could indeed fly". This was pioneering...in comparision to today's abundant CGI spectacles. Donner concentrated on the "story" of superman. And leaned in to make the love story work, the relation between Jorel work, antagonism between Lex Luther, and juggled between sets: Krypton, Smallville, and Metropolis. His vision deserves appplause and thanks.

The Salkinds were what they were from the start...movie producers. That means they get money to get the picture made. European entrepenuers get money from their other businesses, resturants, hotels, casinos, and (even in some cases the mob.) These money baggers have no idea about the logistics to making film, they only know how to make/raise money. Leave the creative people alone(Donner). Today, this is still how Hollywood works. Show business is still a business. The Salkind's intent was to make money...like a hamburger or fried chicken franchise, Donner wanted to make something which is a great film.

I purchased the Ultimate Set, for the original, and a look at the Donner Cut. And in comparision to the released Superman 2. I buy for the behind-the-scenes docs,and commentary.

I'll "throw away" Superman 3,(I sent only the defective dvd, and never got it back) but I don't really mind. I watch Returns once, and only like "Brando's music video." And finally, I bought the SAlkind Cut or otherwise known as the KCOP televised vision just because it's 3 hrs.

 

The real difference between the Salkinds and other movie producers, is that the producers usually though not always, wind up getting along with the directors. Forming a lasting partnership. Look at Brian Grazer and Ron Howard. The Salkinds were more show boaters than anything. If not for the fact they had more creative control than WB, none of the fiasco that occured would've happened. Donner would've finished II and produced III.

 

I concur, but again, they did try Supergirl, and had a hand in Superboy(the underappreciated & widely unseen tv series) Seasons after one...good. Also consider that 70's cinema then was the "golden age". People worked or tried to work outside the Hollywood system...ie Lucas; The Salkinds were to a degree "mavericks" (in comparism to todays' studio bought system.) Warner Bros. owns DC's Superman (Bryan Singer), BAtman(Chris Nolan) franchises. Donner would have put out Superman 4 by then if he continued.

 

As much as I like the new Superman, and I'm not saying it's flawless, the Salkinds get the award for making the best Superman movies (and let's not forget Superboy; I'd watch that over Lois and Clark anyday).

 

I was just thinking today at work...

2008 is 30 years (*sighs* which I can't beleive)

I would love a re-issue; to see this fantastic movie in the screen again. I know they tried it at the 25th anniversary and I don't think there was much demand for it.

 

Nothing they have made with superman has even touched what the originals did.

 

I'm guessing you didn't like Superman Returns then??

I liked it a lot..not as much as the original of course...(then again..I'm not a kid anymore either)...but it was good; though...the original is still one of my favorite movies..ever.

 

I like Superman Returns and even Smallville and everything Superman...but I was just saying nothing will touch the original.
I'm not even sure if they are trying to or not..I just view them as being different of course.(as they should be.)
I grew up with the originals, so it's kind of hard to swallow some of the stuff that other superman movies and shows are bringing out of the character.

 

well said. couldn't agree more.

 

I would also like an re-issue for the 30th ann.

 

Be thankful that Illya Salkind did not have is way with Superman III.

Original Superman III Story Outline.

Personally, I'm glad for what we got.

 

Superman III is great as a Richard Pryor movie. That's why it's my favorite.




That said, I just saw the Richard Donner cut in Blu-Ray. It was better in some places and worse in others. The Lester cut scene for Lois figuring it out was better (why wouldn't he have felt the bullet?).

 

I agree I like what we got for superman 3 also!

 

He was too busy panicing that Lois was figuring it out, to realize that she tricked him.

 

Not to mention that the Donner Cut of this scene was a screentest. Donner never got to do a proper take on that scene. I would like to think that given the opportunity the scene would have worked better. A lot of the material that they used for the Donner cut was piece mealed together from half completed material or stuff from the Lester shoots that may not mesh well with the Donner material. It was more of an experiment that a true representation of Donner's vision as so much of that was never realized. The Donner cut is just supposed to be a vague idea of how he would have done things.

 

Actually, the screen test is pretty much how it would've happened had he gotten to it. It's taken from the script word for word and blow by blow. The only part that's missing is when Clark becomes emotionally upset at what has happened. That's where the test ends. Mankewicz wrote the scene as Clark acting human, not Clark acting like Superman would by checking out the gun or calling her bluff.

 

Indeed but during the shoot rewrites take place, there are variations in the performance as the actors and director work together to find the moment, and the entire thing could be rewritten again in editing. Since Donner never got that far we don't know how it would have turned out. It may be as scripted but its not necesarily what the end result would have been. A lot of screen tests are based on rough versions of the script and offer little creative direction from the director who can shape the scene very differently if need be, hence why the scene is so dry.

The inclusion of the rough scene in the Donner cut is because it was the closest existing footage to how Donner would have wanted it, but its not necesarily how he would have shaped it either through rewrites of the script, through shaping the performances or through editing (there wasn't much they could do with the footage that exists since there was so little). They were stuck with very little to work with and for what it is I think it works great.

 

I don't doubt any of that. But given what Donner, Mank and Kidder have said about the scene, it wouldn't make sense for Clark to say that wasn't a real bullet. It would take away from the impact of what happens. That Lois Lane tricks Clark Kent into admiting that he is Superman. That's the whole point. Clark falls for it hook, line and sinker. The same way in the 50's and 60's, Lois tried to trick Superman into revealing his secret identity so that he would be forced to marry her.