Amph Superman Premiered 40 Years Ago Today

And the superhero movie genre got off to a flying start! *hehe*

 

Feels like yesterday. I still remember everything that went through my mind at it.

 

Back to doing these threads, eh?

 

Lucky you. I wasn't born yet.

 

This was the first time I ever went to a movie theater. I was so excited but so impatient. The opening titles seem to go on forever!

 

Let's be honest. We dug ESB because it was an ersatz Superman II.

 

It's not that bad. They only last 18 months.

Hm...

 

My mother took me to see it when my family were holidaying in Plymouth. I think the scene where Superman spins around to drill into Lex's underground lair is the scene that stayed with me the most; I also remember cringing at Superman and Lois' date, particularly the "can you read my mind?" bit.

I recall the Holiday Inn we were staying at had a few videogames, the one I remember best being Boot Hill. Anyone old enough to remember that coin-op?

 

Saw this again via Fathom Events just recently. It was the first time I'd seen it in a theater in decades, and it really held up well. As I've posted elsewhere, it's the best live action presentation of Superman, and possibly the best superhero movie ever made.
My favorite scene is the rescue of Lois Lane after the chopper crash. Great stuff!

 

It's still the best superhero movie, and refreshing in its approach. Whereas Marvel's output resorts to snappy yet ultimately hollow banter in a tiring attempt at establishing "character," Superman and its first sequel offers an infinitely more nurturing experience by showcasing naturalistic performances and a leisurely pace. The chemistry between Reeve and Kidder is electric, the score majestic, and isolated scenes are as perfect as any within the genre (e.g., Jor-el's parting speech, the farewell in the fields, the helicopter rescue, the first "date" atop the loft). And yeah, the "Can you read my mind?" digression is a bit of a misstep, but still, I long for the days when a genre film can take five minutes of its time to show two lovebirds soaring through the clouds. Nowadays they'd be fighting giant robots for ten minutes before kissing.

The only "pure" superhero movie to come close would be Spider-Man II, as Raimi clearly modeled his own triumph on Donner's.

 

Lucky you. No screenings near me.

 

I've drafting a retro review of this film for months.

As a kid, I always thought the "Can you read my mind" scene was bizarre. Mostly because I didn't think Lois could fly along the side of Superman like that. As an adult, the scene give insight to Lois' thoughts since in live action, you can't use world bubbles to get those things. That's one of the problems of adapting comics to film; the inner thoughts of a character.

 

Just be glad she didn't sing. That was the original plan. Fortunately, Kidder couldn't sing and instead it was a poem recitation.

 

What was the difference between O.J. Simpson and Christopher Reeves?

Spoiler

Christopher Reeves got the chair.

 

Thing is, we didn't need to hear the poem; Lois's thoughts are right there, splayed across Margot Kidder's lovely face (to say nothing of the romance of the environ and Williams's score). Still, it's not a serious detriment: the scene in question is pure movie magic.

 

It's all swell.

 

love that movie. It's the A New Hope of superhero movies.

 

Yeah, it's a beloved classic/superhero movie and Superman doesn't even throw a punch.

 

So who's old enough to remember this commercial?

 

You've got me ? Who's got you ??!

love it.

 

Looking back at the Blue Book, Toni Tennille was supposed to sing, "Can You Read My Mind?". Williams created and recorded three versions; a light pop version, an orchestra only version and a non-vocal, pop version. Donner was the one who decided that Kidder should sing it and not Tennille, as he felt it needed to be her voice. And then when he finally accepted that she could sing, he had Reeve come in and she recorded the lines in the studio, the same week she started filming "The Amityville Horror". Hence there are four versions that exist.