Last updated January 5, 2023

THE DONNER ERA AND BEYOND

THIS GROWING TIMELINE WAS COMPILED AND RESEARCHED BY CHRISTOPHER REEVE SUPERMAN FILMS HISTORIAN AND ARCHIVIST ALEXANDER SERPA. OPINIONS AND UNCONFIRMED “RUMORS” FROM THE PRODUCTION WILL BE LABELED AS SUCH. INFORMATION WHERE THIS PAGE HAS BEEN THE FIRST SUPERMAN WEBSITE REPORTING IT ARE LABELED.

THE SOURCES FOR THESE ENTRIES VARY FROM CALL SHEETS FROM SUPERGIRL AND ALL FOUR SUPERMAN FILMS, PRODUCTION NOTES, DATED STORYBOARDS, OFFICE MEMOS, NOTED SCRIPTS, OFFICIAL DOCUMENTARIES, DVD AND BLU RAYS AUDIO COMMENTARIES, OFFICIAL MAGAZINES, NEWSPAPER ARTICLES, PROGRAMS AND OFFICIAL BOOKS, CAST AND CREW PRINTED AND TELEVISION INTERVIEWS, TELEVISION AND THEATRICAL SHOWINGS, BIOGRAPHIES, PROMOTIONAL AND MERCHANDISING MATERIALS, CONTINUITY POLAROIDS, ETC. I WILL TRY TO PROVIDE AS MUCH VIDEO OR IMAGERY REFERENCE AS POSSIBLE.

*DENOTES VERIFIED BY SUPERMAN THE MOVIE, SUPERMAN II, and SUPERMAN III PRODUCER PIERRE SPENGLER.

SPECIAL RESEARCH MATERIAL BY JASON THOMAS. Special thanks to Tom Soliva, Martin Lakin, Paul Rodgers, Matt Derby, Hooman Gohari, Kyle, Northup, and Rick Lanier.

–1974–

April 1974

*April/May 1974– After seeing a film poster for Zorro, Ilya Salkind approaches his father, Alexander Salkind, and long time friend, Pierre Spengler, to produce a Superman movie. Having no knowledge of the character, and after being explained who and what Superman is and does, Alexander agrees it would be a good project “if it would be done right”. Alexander speaks to the backers and reports back to Ilya the next day that “they like it”, and THE MOVIE starts to come to life.

August/September 1974

*August/September 1974- First meeting in Evian, France, between Bernie Kashdan, a representative of NPP (DC Comics), and producers Pierre Spengler and Alexander and Ilya Salkind.

November 1974

*November 25, 1974– After ten weeks of negotiations, Producer Pierre Spengler reaches an agreement with NPP (DC Comics) for acquisition of the character rights for 25 years.

–1975–

March 1975

*March 1975– Mario Puzo signs on to write the screenplay for SUPERMAN and SUPERMAN 2.

June 1975

June 1975– Production start date of November 1975, in Rome, Italy, is announced.

July 1975

July, 8, 1975– Mario Puzo turns in his first draft of the screenplay.

September 1975

*September 1975– Casting begins.

*September 1975– Guy Hamilton signs on to direct SUPERMAN and SUPERMAN 2 for $500,000.

October 1975

October 1, 1975– Mario Puzo turns in his second draft of the script, decides he has no more to contribute, and leaves the project.

November 1975

*November/December 1975– Robert Benton and David and Leslie Newman sign on to rewrite the Mario Puzo scripts.

December 1975

December 19, 1975– Norman Enfield turns in his revised draft of the Mario Puzo scripts.

–1976–

January 1976

*January 1976– The production begins work at Cinecitta Studios in Rome, Italy.

February 1976

*February 1976– The FX team starts work at Bray Studios in England.

February 1976– The production has a laser show at Battery Park in New York announcing “Coming Soon Superman The Movie”.

February 1976– Robert Benton and David and Leslie Newman turn in their first draft of the screenplay for SUPERMAN and SUPERMAN 2.

April 1976

April 1976– Robert Benton and David and Leslie Newman turn in their second draft of the screenplay for SUPERMAN and SUPERMAN 2.

May 1976

Mid May 1976– The production hires a helicopter to fly a banner over the Cannes Film Festival in France, but a sudden change of wind drags the sign and helicopter, almost crashing it into the bay while ripping the banner in half.

July 1976

July 1976– Marlon Brando signs on to play Jor-El.

July 1976– Gene Hackman signs on to play Lex Luthor.

July 1976– Robert Benton and David and Leslie Newman turn in their third draft of the screenplay for SUPERMAN and SUPERMAN 2.

August 1976

August 23, 1976– Four ads from the SUPERMAN THE MOVIE production appear in Box Office magazine.

September 1976

September 1976– Bruce Jenner auditions for the role of Superman and Clark Kent in Rome.

October 1976

October 1976– George MacDonald Fraser turns in his revised draft of the Robert Benton and David and Leslie Newman third draft script to SUPERMAN 1.

October 1976– Due to legal problems with the government in the country over the film LAST TANGO IN PARIS, Marlon Brando refuses to film in Italy. The production realizes it would be fiscally wiser to film in England due to the £ being low and the $ high, and the entire production shifts from Cinecitta to the Pinewood and Shepperton studios in London.

October 1976– Due to tax legalities in England, Guy Hamilton drops out of the project as director when the production shifts from Rome to London.

November 1976

November 1, 1976– George MacDonald Fraser turns in his revised draft of the Robert Benton and David and Leslie Newman third draft script for SUPERMAN 2.

*November 1976– Richard Donner signs on to direct with Tom Mankiewicz to do rewrites for SUPERMAN and SUPERMAN II.

December 1976

December 1976– March 1977 start date is announced.

December 1976- John Barry signs on as Production Designer.

–1977–

January 1977

January 1977– The flying team test propelling a dummy out of a cannon as a means to making Superman fly.

January 20, 1977– Don Voyne screen tests for the role of Superman and Clark Kent at Shepperton Studios.

VIDEO: Don Voyne screen test footage.

February 1977

February 1, 1977– Christopher Reeve screen tests for the role of Superman and Clark Kent at Shepperton Studios.

VIDEO: Christopher Reeve screen test footage.

February 15, 1977– Eight days before the official announcement is made by the production, columnist Shirley Eder reports that Christopher Reeve will play Superman and Clark Kent. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 17, 1977– Six days before the official announcement is made by the production, columnist Liz Smith reports that Christopher Reeve will play Superman and Clark Kent. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 23, 1977– At a press conference at Sardis Restaurant in New York held by the production, Christopher Reeve is officially announced to play Superman and Clark Kent.

March 1977

March 10, 1977– Anne Archer screen tests for the role of Lois Lane at Shepperton Studios.

March 17, 1977– Rohan McCullogh screen tests for the role of Ursa at Shepperton Studios

March 22, 1977– Lesley Ann screen tests for the role of Lois Lane at Shepperton Studios.

March 24, 1977– Marlon Brando arrives in London four days before filming for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II begins.
Excerpt from THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE book:
Ever since Marlon Brando’s arrival date had been leaked to the London press, the local papers, along with wire service journalists from all over the world, had been running stories about the superstar, ranging from his “astronomical” salary (one publication had him getting $40 million for a week’s work, apparently confusing his fee with the total production budget) to his overweight problem (a trade journal claimed he was tipping the scales at nearly three hundred pounds).
Ignoring the rumors with the nonchalance of the total professional, Brando arrived in England a few days before shooting began, just after completing his grueling stint in “Apocalypse Now.” He had a cold and he looked tired, but he had trimmed over thirty pounds from his “Apocalypse” high and he seemed anxious to get started on “Superman.”
The production office had spent weeks scouring the English countryside near the studio for a house suited to Brando and his party. But after a few nights at the estate, the actor requested a change, making it clear that “early nouveau riche” wasn’t really his style. A more appropriate place was found, a forty-room restored Tudor mansion in Esher, and a phalanx of butlers, maids and gardeners were screened for efficiency, tact and discretion.
All this pampering seemed to put off some of the people on the production, particularly those who were aware of and admired Brando’s reputation as a spokesman for the oppressed and as a man of simple tastes. The elaborate arrangements, however, had been part of a conscious effort by the production office, which, like all film production offices, held firmly to the credo that a comfortable, satisfied star is a star who gives a good performance… and finishes on schedule! (One evening, in fact, Brando had hot-water problems and for some reason ended up calling, of all people, the production accountant, Douglas Noakes. Noakes, anxious to help out, telephoned a plumber friend, and at ten o’clock at night the two men were climbing around the actor’s house on ladders, trying to locate the rooftop water tank and the source of the problem.)” This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

March 28, 1977– Principal photography begins for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II with director Richard Donner filming Marlon Brando and his dialogue for the post death of Jor-El sequences.

VIDEO: First day of principal photography and Marlon Brando’s last day.

March 29 – April 10, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Jor-El laboratory sequences for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Marlon Brando as Jor-El and Susannah York as Lara on C Stage at Shepperton Studios.

VIDEO: Cast and crew interviews and Jor-El’s laboratory filming behind the scenes footage.

April 1977

April 1977– Construction of the Daily Planet offices set begins on E Stage at Pinewood Studios.

April 1977– Jack Klugman accepts the role of Perry White. Klugman then rejects it.

April 1977– Eddie Albert accepts the role of Perry White. Albert then rejects it after asking for more money.

April 1977– Kennan Wynn accepts the role of Perry White.

April 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Krypton Council chamber scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Marlon Brando as Jor-El, Trevor Howard as the 1st Elder, Harry Andrews as the 2nd Elder, and Maria Schell as Vond-Ah on C Stage at Shepperton Studios.

VIDEO: Filming the Krypton Council chamber behind the scenes footage.

April 2, 1977– Susan Blakely screen tests for the role of Lois Lane at Shepperton Studios.

VIDEO: Susan Blakely screen test footage.

April 6, 1977– Director Richard Donner films Brando’s hand retrieving the Green Crystal from the console and portions of the spaceship take off and the destruction of Jor-El’s laboratory for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Marlon Brando as Jor-El and Susannah York as Lara on A Stage at Shepperton Studios. Unused takes of Brando’s hand would be used for the opening credits of of the theatrical version of SUPERMAN II. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

April 11 and 12, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the trial of the villains for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II with Marlon Brando as Jor-El, Terence Stamp as General Zod, Jack O’Halloran as Non, and Sarah Douglas as Ursa on B Stage at Shepperton Studios.

VIDEO: Cast and crew interviews and trial of the villains behind the scenes footage.

April 16, 1977– Deborah Raffin screen tests for the role of Lois Lane at Shepperton Studios.

Mid April 1977- Director Richard Donner and Creative Consultant Tom Mankiewicz scout locations in Canada and do casting calls in Los Angeles.

April 22, 1977– Director Richard Donner films sans Brando as Jor-El portions of the villains trial for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II with Terence Stamp as General Zod, Jack O’Halloran as Non, and Sarah Douglas as Ursa.

April 24, 1977– Margot Kidder screen tests for the role of Lois Lane at Shepperton Studios.

April 25-27– Director Richard Donner films sans Brando as Jor-El portions of the villains trial for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II with Terence Stamp as General Zod, Jack O’Halloran as Non, and Sarah Douglas as Ursa.

April 28, 1977– Director Richard Donner films portions of the destruction of Krypton for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE on the under construction H Stage at Pinewood Studios.
This stage will later double as the Fortress of Solitude interior for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II.
A stunt performer is hurt when a set piece fails to disappear on cue.

April 30, 1977– Stockard Channing screen tests for the role of Lois Lane at Shepperton Studios.

May 1977

May 1977– Margot Kidder signs on to play Lois Lane.

May 1977– Location work in Washington D.C. for SUPERMAN II is shelved indefinitely.

May 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Fortress of Solitude interior for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II on H Stage at Shepperton Studios.

VIDEO: Cast and crew interviews and Fortress of Solitude behind the scenes footage.

May 2, 1977– Christopher Reeve as Superman and Jeff East as Young Clark Kent wardrobe and make-up tests on H Stage at Shepperton Studios.

May 5, 1977– Director Richard Donner films portions of the depowering for SUPERMAN II with Christopher Reeve as Kal-El on H Stage at Shepperton Studios.

May 5 and 6, 1977– Margot Kidder as Lois Lane wardrobe and make-up tests on H Stage at Shepperton Studios.

May 6– The FX team test various ways of depicting Superman’s depowering for SUPERMAN II with Christopher Reeve as Kal-El at Shepperton Studios.

May 7 and 8, 1977– Director Richard Donner films portions of the repowering for SUPERMAN II with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent on H Stage at Shepperton Studios.

May 12, 1977– Wire flying tests for the villains arrival inside the Fortress of Solitude for SUPERMAN II on H Stage at Shepperton Studios.

May 13, 1977– Executive Producer Ilya Salkind and Producer Pierre Spengler send a secrecy memo to cast and crew.

May 13, 1977– Thirteen ads from the SUPERMAN THE MOVIE production appear in Variety.

Mid May 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Lex and Miss Teschmacher at the Fortress of Solitude interior scenes for SUPERMAN II with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor and Valerie Perrine as Miss Teschmacher on H Stage at Shepperton Studios.

Mid May 1977– The production is now more than a week behind schedule.

May 20, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the villains defeat for SUPERMAN II with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Christopher Reeve as Superman, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, Terence Stamp as General Zod, Jack O’Halloran as Non, and Sarah Douglas as Ursa on H Stage at Shepperton Studios.

Late May1977– Actor Keenan Wynn collapses and is rushed to the hospital shortly after arriving on the set for his Perry White make-up and wardrobe tests. He is diagnosed with exhaustion and has to drop out of the role. The search for a new Perry White begins again.

May 25, 1977– Jackie Cooper arrives to take over the Perry White role from Keenan Wynn.

May 23-28, 1977– Director Richard Donner films around the Perry White scenes of the villains arriving at the Daily Planet for SUPERMAN II with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen, Terence Stamp as General Zod, Jack O’Halloran as Non, and Sarah Douglas as Ursa on E Stage at Pinewood Studios.

May 23- 28, 1977– Director Richard Donner films portions of Superman’s depowering and repowering for SUPERMAN II with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent and Kal-El on H Stage at Shepperton Studios.
Donner would shuttle between shooting with Reeve at Shepperton and filming the villains arrival at the Daily Planet for SUPERMAN II on E Stage at Pinewood Studios, for which Reeve wasn’t needed.

May 29 and 30, 1977– Director Richard Donner films Superman’s arrival to confront the villains at the Daily Planet for SUPERMAN II with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Christopher Reeve as Superman, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, Jackie Cooper as Perry White, Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen, Terence Stamp as General Zod, Jack O’Halloran as Non, and Sarah Douglas as Ursa on E Stage at Pinewood Studios.
This is the earliest date I can find for Jackie Cooper joining the cast to replace Keenan Wynn as Perry White. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

Late May 1977– Two of the planes hired by the production to fly a banner over the Cannes Film Festival in France are grounded due to weather. The one plane that shows up flies an erroneous banner proclaiming SUPERMAN THE MOVIE to be a production from “Alexander SalKING”.

June 1977

June 1977– Filming the Daily Planet scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, Jackie Cooper as Perry White, and Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen on E Stage at Pinewood Studios.

VIDEO: Filming the Daily Planet behind the scenes footage.

June 1977– The production is now almost two weeks behind schedule.

June 1977– Public and private arguments between director Richard Donner and producer Pierre Spengler and executive producer Ilya Salkind over the slow pace of filming and the many retakes become evident on the set and to all in the production. Both producers stop visiting the set.

June 1977– The Moon set for SUPERMAN II begins construction at Pinewood Studios.

June 1977– Construction on the Fortress of Solitude exterior and the Artic glaciers begins on the 007 Stage at Pinewood Studios.

June 13, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Daily Planet offices scenes for the Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen introduction and Clark Kent’s first day on the job in SUPERMAN THE MOVIE, and Lois discovering Clark is Superman by drawing on a newspaper for SUPERMAN II’s intended opening scenes with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen and Jackie Cooper as Perry White on E Stage at Pinewood Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

Mid June 1977– Richard Lester is hired by the producers to act as an intermediary between them and Director Richard Donner. Lester is given an uncredited “Producer”ish title.

June 20 – July 1, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the White House scenes for SUPERMAN II with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, E.G. Marshall as the President, Terence Stamp as General Zod, Jack O’Halloran as Non, and Sarah Douglas as Ursa on M Stage at Pinewood Studios.
The stunt unit would continue and finish filming this sequence well into July while Director Richard Donner and the main unit was shooting the New York locations.
This set would later be redressed to serve as Lois Lane’s penthouse.

VIDEO: Cast interviews and the White House filming behind the scenes footage.

June 20, 1977– Director Richard Donner films portions of the villains attack on the White House for SUPERMAN II with Terence Stamp as General Zod, Jack O’Halloran as Non, and Sarah Douglas as Ursa on M Stage at Pinewood Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

June 21 – 24, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Oval Office scenes for SUPERMAN II with E.G. Marshall as the President, Terence Stamp as General Zod, Jack O’Halloran as Non, and Sarah Douglas as Ursa on M Stage at Pinewood Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

July 1977

July 1977– Contest winners meet Sarah Douglas on the moon set at Pinewood Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

July 2-4, 1977– The main unit and production leaves for North America location filming in New York and Canada.

VIDEO: Location filming in New York behind the scenes footage.

July 7, 1977– The first day of filming in New York has director Richard Donner at the Daily News building (doubling for the Daily Planet) filming the end of Clark’s first day leaving the Daily Planet lobby and exterior scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane.
Film critics Rex Reed and Kathleen Carroll make cameo appearances. Carroll’s positive review of the film was widely used in the theatrical promotion of the film after release. Carroll’s cameo would be filmed at least twice and Reed’s at least three times.
The Daily Planet newspaper trucks used were borrowed from The Daily News rival newspaper, The New York Post.

July 8, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the mugger sidewalk scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane on the corner of East Broadway and Pike Street.
The alley scenes would be filmed at a later time at Pinewood Studios.
Also filmed this day was the introduction of Otis and the detectives, and the street portions of the detectives in the car following from the corner of East Broadway and Pike Street to Grand Central station with Ned Beatty as Otis, Ray Hassett as Officer 2/Harry, and Steve Kahan as Officer 1/Armus.
The original filmed Otis introduction would not appear in the theatrical version of the film, but it would later be added to the extended TV version in February 1982 and the TV cut bluray.

July 9-12, 1977– According to the making of book, the second week of filming in New York had director Richard Donner filming the Otis walk through Grand Central Station and the underground unused track 41 to Lex Luthor’s lair for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Ned Beatty as Otis, Ray Hassett as Officer 2/Harry, Steve Kahan as Officer 1/Armus, Matt Russo as the Newsvendor, and Randy Jurgenson as Officer 3.
For continuity, Cinematographer Geoffrey Unsworth has the clocks stopped at 7:10.
Stunt Performer and actor Ray Hassett can also be seen being flipped by hopeful Ursa actresses in the screen tests on the DVD and bluray special features.
Steve Kahan is probably best known as Captain Murphy in the Richard Donner directed Lethal Weapon 1–4 films, and he has appeared in almost every Donner directed film, they also happen to be cousins born the same year.
The TV Version more than doubles the running time of this sequence with a trainload of added footage featuring the detective following Otis into another tunnel and reporting in.

July 11, 1977– Director Richard Donner spends the morning at the Daily News building filming Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent in front of the Daily Planet saving Lois from the fruit cart fall intended for SUPERMAN II’s opening scenes.
Later that afternoon Donner would film the scenes of Lois landing in the cart.
Stunt Performer and actress Ellen Bry would double as Lois Lane and execute the fall, Margot Kidder would then be covered in fruit chunks for the close ups.
Bry is probably best known to comic fans as Julie Masters in THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN tv series and films of the 70s. Ironically, Bry had been part of a documentary two years earlier called TO FLY.
After attending a meeting at the Daily News building, Mayor Abe Beame meets and greets for a photo op on the street with cast members Reeve and Kidder.
Due to Donner’s termination and restructuring of the sequel, this sequence would not be seen until 2006 with the home video release of SUPERMAN II THE RICHARD DONNER CUT.

July 13, 1977– Director Richard Donner films Clark Kent exiting the Daily Planet and of crowds reacting to the crashed helicopter on the rooftop for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent at the Daily News building.
At 9:38pm a lightning strike at one of EDCON’s transmission lines knocks power out to five boroughs in New York. Director Donner has to reassure Cinematographer Geoffrey Unsworth that it wasn’t his many power generators used to light the location which caused the blackout. Thanks to these generators the filming continues but wraps early for the night.

July 13, 1977– The stunt unit films the tail end of the villains destroying the White House sequence with Terence Stamp as General Zod, Jack O’Halloran as Non, and Sarah Douglas as Ursa on M Stage at Pinewood Studios.
Filmed on this day includes a scene where a military officer brings out a barking German Shepard and Non’s loud growling scares it away.
The short scene with the dog was left out of both the theatrical and The Donner Cut versions of the film, but was included in the TV version.
This scene was intended to end the White House destruction sequence and cut to the Oval Office door coming down, but the TV version places it before Ursa kicks the guards. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

July 14 and 15, 1977– The second unit films the full-size yacht sequence for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE in Manhattan, New York.
The yacht Serenidee, booked out of New Jersey, was brought in through the George Washington Bridge.
Director Richard Donner would join the location the following night, after the yacht had been safely deposited back into the water, to direct the actors.
The yacht would have to be hosed down before every take to make it look as if it lifted from the river.

July 14 and 15, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the bank robbers car chase and the full-size yacht escape sequence at Fulton Market in New York.
The stunt crew is startled when the NYPD asks for use of the yacht to rescue a person that had jumped into the East River.

July 16, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Daily Planet helicopter departure on the roof of 111 Wall Street in New York.

July 16, 1977– Director Richard Donner films Superman landing with and handing the burglar over to Officer Mooney and taking off for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Christopher Reeve as Superman, David Baxt as the Burglar, and George Harris II as Officer Mooney at the Solow Building in New York.
Screenplay and story writer Mario Puzo visits the location.

July 18, 1977– Christopher Reeve dons the outfit for the iconic wharf and Mayflower Hotel photoshoot in New York with set photographer Bob Penn.
This wharf location is along what is now called Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Many variations of these images would be heavily used in the merchandising and promotion.
A wire attached to the cape was used to make it wave in the wind. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

July 19, 1977– In order to get a jump on the press releasing photos from the filming later that night, the production releases the first set of images to the public of Christopher Reeve as Superman. The photos had been taken the day before. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

July 19, 1977– Director Richard Donner films Superman landing with the robber, handing him over to the police officer and taking off at the Solow building in New York for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Christopher Reeve as Superman, David Baxt as the robber, and George Harris II as Patrolman Mooney.

July 25, 1977– Director Richard Donner spends the last nights in New York filming the Superman swooping down to rescue the cat in the tree scene for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Christopher Reeve as Superman in Brooklyn Heights, New York. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

July 27, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the funeral scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Jeff East as Young Clark Kent and Phyllis Thaxter as Martha ‘Ma’ Kent in Beynon, Alberta, Canada.
The sequence would be reshot in mid August.

July 28, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the second missile highjacking sequence for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Ned Beatty as Otis, and Valerie Perrine as Miss Teschmacher at Bowfort Bridge in Banff, Canada.

July 29, 1977– TIME magazine’s August 1st issue hits news stands, containing what are possibly the first color photographs published of Christopher Reeve as Superman.

August 1977

August 1977– Location filming in Niagara Falls for SUPERMAN II is postponed.

August 2, 1977– After mechanical problems that have Director Richard Donner under the car cursing, and two aborted takes later, the remote control car crash and portions the first missile hijacking sequence for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE are filmed with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Ned Beatty as Otis, Valerie Perrine as Miss Teschmacher, and Larry Hagman as the Major adjacent to Barrier Lake in Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada, in the foothills and ranges of the Canadian Rockies. The location is a stand in for Colorado in the U.S.

VIDEO: Filming the missile hijack behind the scenes footage.

August 3, 1977– Director Richard Donner films portions the first missile hijacking sequence for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Ned Beatty as Otis, Valerie Perrine as Miss Teschmacher, and Larry Hagman as the Major adjacent to Barrier Lake in Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada, in the foothills and ranges of the Canadian Rockies. The location is a stand in for Colorado in the U.S.
Before her departure from the location, Valerie Perrine gifts Director Richard Donner a t-shirt featuring “Club S” printed on the front (a nickname given to her trailer because of its party atmosphere), and with her Playboy photo and the caption “ANOTHER DAY ANOTHER $3000,000” (the estimated cost of filming per day) on the back.

Early August 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Smallville sequences for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Glenn Ford as Pa Kent, Phyllis Thaxter as Ma Kent, Aaron Smolinski as Baby Kal-El, Jeff East as Young Clark Kent, Kathy Painter as Young Lois Lane, Kirk Alyn as Pa Lane and Noel Neill as Ma Lane.

VIDEO: Filming the Smallville sequences behind the scenes footage.

August 14, 1977– Director Richard Donner reshoots portions of the funeral scene for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Jeff East as Young Clark Kent and Phyllis Thaxter as Martha ‘Ma’ Kent in Beynon, Alberta, Canada.

September 1977

September 1977– Uncredited Producer Richard Lester makes the decision that scenes for SUPERMAN II that do not have sets already built or already under construction, and for sequences that do not include Gene Hackman, Valerie Perrine, and Ned Beatty be halted until all scenes in SUPERMAN THE MOVIE are completed. Director Richard Donner agrees.

September 1977– Eight units are at work on the film at this time: the main unit, a second unit, the flying unit, a model unit, two matte units, and one unit in Canada and one in New York.

September 1977– Filming the Lex Luthor’s lair sequences for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Christopher Reeve as Superman, Ned Beatty as Otis, and Valerie Perrine as Miss Teschmacher on D Stage at Pinewood Studios.

VIDEO: Lex Luthor’s lair behind the scenes footage.

September 3, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Otis arrival at Lex Luthor’s lair sequence for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Ned Beatty as Otis, and Valerie Perrine as Miss Teschmacher on D Stage at Pinewood Studios.
A filmed sequence featuring Otis feeding meat to unseen animals in a pit and later lowering Miss Teschmacher into it for her betrayal of Lex would not be seen until the extended tv version aired on ABC in February 1982.

September 5, 1977– Director Richard Donner films Superman bursting through Luthor’s door for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Christopher Reeve as Superman, Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Ned Beatty as Otis, and Valerie Perrine as Miss Teschmacher on D Stage at Pinewood Studios.

September 6, 1977– Director Richard Donner begins filming the map room scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Christopher Reeve as Superman, Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, and Ned Beatty as Otis, and Valerie Perrine as Miss Teschmacher on D Stage at Pinewood Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

September 15, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Kryptonite necklace reveal scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Christopher Reeve as Superman, Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Ned Beatty as Otis, and Valerie Perrine as Miss Teschmacher on D Stage at Pinewood Studios.
During a take Reeve pulls the lid so hard that the chest is knocked off its place. Later on, as a joke, Hackman has the crew nail the chest lid shut, a surprise to Reeve when he tries to open it.
The necklace storage chest is the same one Obi-Wan keeps the lightsaber he gives to Luke in STAR WARS EPISODE V: A NEW HOPE stored in, thanks to both films having the same Production Designer, John Barry.

September 26, 1977– Director Richard Donner begins filming the Fortress of Solitude exterior scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II on the 007 Stage at Pinewood Studios.
Filmed on this day is the Lex and Miss Teschmacher on the sled going to and from the Fortress scenes with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor and Valerie Perrine as Miss Teschmacher.
In a bit of frustration at having to wait costumed in furs under the hot studio lights between scene set ups, Hackman loses his temper and throws down the “little black box”, smashing it to pieces and causing further delays until the prop is fixed.

October 1977

Early October 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Fortress of Solitude exterior and Artic scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Valerie Perrine as Miss Teschmacher, Christopher Reeve as Superman, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, Jeff East as Young Clark Kent, Terence Stamp as General Zod, Jack O’Halloran as Non, and Sarah Douglas as Ursa on the 007 Stage at Pinewood Studios.
Most of the scenes filmed on this set for SUPERMAN II would not be used in the theatrical release, but some of these deleted sequences would be seen in the extended version of the film first aired on network TV in February 1984. SUPERMAN II THE THE RICHARD DONNER CUT also featured some of these deleted sequences with some takes that differed from the TV version’s added footage. Reportedly director Richard Lester directs the scenes of Jeff East on the ice while Donner was filming the villains at the other end of the set.

Mid October 1977– Director Richard Donner films the prison scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Christopher Reeve as Superman, Ned Beatty as Otis, Valerie Perrine as Miss Teschmacher, and Roy Stevens as the Warden on the Pinewood Studios backlot.

October 14, 1977- Director Richard Donner begins portions of the helicopter crash sequence for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Christopher Reeve as Superman, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, and Colin Skeaping on the Pinewood Studios backlot.

Late October 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Moon sequences for SUPERMAN II with Terence Stamp as General Zod, Jack O’Halloran as Non, and Sarah Douglas as Ursa at Pinewood Studios.

October 21, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the villains inside the Phantom Zone fx and their release scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE’s original intended cliffhanger ending and original intended beginning of SUPERMAN II with Terence Stamp as General Zod, Jack O’Halloran as Non, and Sarah Douglas as Ursa.
This entire sequence (including the shots of the villains inside the Phantom Zone) was reshot by Director Richard Lester. No Donner footage remains in the theatrical release.
The Donner sequence would not be seen until the 2006 DVD release of SUPERMAN II THE RICHARD DONNER CUT.

VIDEO: Filming the Phantom Zone.

October 28, 1977– End of production reception at Pinewood Studios.
The production holds a photo shoot and party at Pinewood Studios to mark the “end of filming”.
This was the intended date of finishing principal photography, and due to previous commitments many key crew members moved on to other projects.
Filming work would continue for another year.

Late October 1977– A 30 minute reel of the film is viewed by Warner Bros. executives in theatre 7 at Pinewood Studios.

Late October 1977– Filming the Golden Gate miniature on the Pinewood Studios backlot is postponed due to bad weather.

Late October 1977– Director Richard Donner films the full size helicopter crash and rescue on the Pinewood Studios backlot.

Late October 1977– Director Richard Donner begins filming the balcony scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II with Christopher Reeve as Superman and Margot Kidder as Lois on M Stage at Pinewood Studios.
This stage had earlier in the year served as the White House for the SUPERMAN II scenes.

November 1977

November 3, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Don’s Diner sequences with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, Pepper Martin as Rocky, Tommy Duggan as Diner Owner, and Pamela Mandell as Waitress on the North Tunnel area on the Pinewood Studios backlot.
The sequence wer filmed during the day, so black out curtains were draped over the diner trailer area.
The background seen outside the diner doors as Clark and Lois walk in is a projected sunset image.
The obvious trivia about this scene is the Director Richard Donner cameo at the beginning of the sequence, but if you look to the right side of the shot you might spot the prison wall from the Luthor sequences, they can also be seen outside the diner windows in various shots.
At this point in history the film has been in principal photography for seven months. Only Reeve and Kidder out of the principal actors remain, with Marc McClure returning in 1978 to film his desert location scenes in New Mexico and Arizona, and the Hoover Dam rescue on the Pinewood Studios stages and backlot.
Although special fx work went into it until late 1978, only one more major scene from SUPERMAN II would be shot by Donner after this sequence before all work would halt on that film, dropping Lois off in her penthouse balcony after the Fortress of Solitude battle.

December 1977

December 19, 1977– Director Richard Donner films Superman landing in the street above Luthor’s lair sequence for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Christopher Reeve as Superman on A Stage at Pinewood Studios.
The background plate used was filmed on E 49th and Park Ave in New York in July of 1977. The previous overhead shot in this sequence featuring Superman heading down toward the street shows him landing two blocks away on E 47th and Park Ave.

-1978-

January 1978

January 1978– Filming the on the ground portions of the cat in the tree rescue for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Christopher Reeve as Superman and Jayne Tottman as the Little Girl on the Pinewood Studios lot.
The Pinewood Studios administration buildings were dressed to serve as New York brownstones.
A shot of Christopher Reeve as Superman with New York’s skyline as a backdrop was filmed six months earlier during the production’s location filming in Brooklyn Heights, New York, in mid July 1977.

January 1978– Warner Bros. decides to movie the theatrical release of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE from June to December 1978.

January 1978– The SUPERMAN THE MOVIE theatrical teaser trailer is released to U.S. theaters.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN THE MOVIE theatrical teaser trailer.

January 3-6, 1978– Filming reshoots of Lex Luthor’s gauntlet sequences for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE.

January 7, 1978– Stunt Performer Paul Weston’s wires snap and he falls 40 feet to the ground sustaining minor injuries at A Stage at Pinewood Studios, he would be recuperating for six months.

January 7, 1978– Stunt Performer and Metal Worker Terry Hill is killed when the Air Force One mock up wing for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE collapses on him at Pinewood Studios. SUPERMAN THE MOVIE is dedicated in part to him. The other dedication, John Bodimeade, was for an electrician who was electrocuted and died on the set at an unknown date.

January 16-23, 1978– Director Richard Donner films the burglar climbing the side of the building sequences for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Christopher Reeve as Superman and David Baxt as the burglar.
The scenes with Superman landing and handing him over to officer Mooney and taking off were filmed six months earlier in July 1977, at New York’s Solow building.

January 27, 1978– Christopher Reeve as Superman and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane film portions of the night flight over Metropolis and Can You Read My Mind sequences for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE.

February 1978

February 1978– Model unit 2 films the atomic explosion cloud for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE.

February 1978– Filming portions of the XK-101 rocket chase scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Christopher Reeve as Superman on F Stage at Pinewood Studios.

February 1978– Director Richard Donner films Lois Lane’s car falling inside the earthquake crack for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Margot Kidder as Lois Lane on C Stage at Pinewood Studios.

February 16, 1977– Wire flying tests with stand-ins for the Can You Read My Mind sequence for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE.

February 28, 1978– Filming the spaceship rocket miniature melting for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

March 1978

March 1978- Location filming on the glacial fields of Norway and Finland for SUPERMAN II are canceled.

March 21, 1978– Director Richard Donner films Christopher Reeve as Superman and Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen on the Hoover Dam section mock up built on the Pinewood Studios backlot.

March 22 and 23, 1978– The special FX team films flying tests FOR SUPERMAN THE MOVIE on the Hoover Dam section mock up built on the Pinewood Studios backlot.

April 1978– Warner Bros. executives view an almost four hour screening of the latest film assemblage of footage at Pinewood Studios.

April 1978– Filming the Hoover Dam model for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE is postponed due to weather.

April 1978

April 5, 1978– Director Richard Donner sends out a secrecy memo to cast and crew.

May 1978

May 1978– The FX team films the under the San Andreas Fault scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Christopher Reeve as Superman on C Stage at Pinewood Studios.

May 9, 1978– The FX team films the railroad track rescue for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Christopher Reeve as Superman at Pinewood Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

June 1978

June 5-13, 1978– Director Richard Donner films the roadside earthquake sequences for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE in Gallup, New Mexico, with Christopher Reeve as Superman, Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen, and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane.
A few days prior to leaving for New Mexico from England, news arrived that an unusual storm had passed through the area and left the location under a blanket of snow. The snow stood no chance in the June desert heat and was gone before the cast and crew arrived.
Marc McClure filmed the Jimmy Olsen at Hoover Dam location scenes before arriving in New Mexico.
The scenes of Lois getting crushed inside the car had been filmed on C Stage at Pinewood Studios in February, so to match continuity the production brought an abundance of peat from Canada to the Gallup location. Unfortunately, fly eggs in the dirt soon hatched in the incubating warm desert sun. In the film you might notice a few flies buzzing about, as well as the different color dirt around the car.
The exploding gas station was filmed in Canada ten months earlier in August 1977, during the filming of the missile hijackings and Smallville sequences.

July 1978

July 4, 1978– The special effects team films the SUPERMAN THE MOVIE comic book opening and one of many takes of the Krypton planet explosion on L Stage at Pinewood Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

July 6, 1978– Composer and Conductor John Williams begins recording the musical score at Anvil Film and Recording Group Inc. in Denham, Bucks, England.

Recorded on this day:
KRYPTONOPOLIS (VILLAINS TRIAL)
THE PLANET KRYPTON ALTERNATE A
THE DOME OPENS ALTERNATE

July 7, 1978– Composer and Conductor John Williams records the musical score at Anvil Film and Recording Group Inc. in Denham, Bucks, England.

Recorded on this day:
DESTRUCTION OF KRYPTON A
LEAVING HOME

July 10, 1978– Composer and Conductor John Williams records the musical score at Anvil Film and Recording Group Inc. in Denham, Bucks, England.

Recorded on this day:
THE PENTHOUSE
THE FLYING SEQUENCE A
CLARK LOSES HIS NERVE
BABY LIFTS LORRY

July 11, 1978– Composer and Conductor John Williams records the musical score at Anvil Film and Recording Group Inc. in Denham, Bucks, England.

Recorded on this day:
THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE ALTERNATE A. The track would not be used in the film and would not be included in any release until its inclusion in the three disc soundtrack from La-La Land Records in 2019.
MAIN TITLES ALTERNATE A. Director Donner ruins a take by bursting into the studio screaming “Bravo! Bravo! Genius, genius” upon hearing the music thematically say the word “SUPERMAN”.

July 13, 1978– Composer and Conductor John Williams records the musical score at Anvil Film and Recording Group Inc. in Denham, Bucks, England.

Recorded on this day:
DESTRUCTION OF KRYPTON B
JONATHAN’S DEATH
MAIN TITLES ALTERNATE B
THE MUGGER ALTERNATE

July 14, 1978– Composer and Conductor John Williams records the musical score at Anvil Film and Recording Group Inc. in Denham, Bucks, England

Recorded on this day:
CHASING CROOKS

July 21, 1978– Composer and Conductor John Williams records the musical score at Anvil Film and Recording Group Inc. in Denham, Bucks, England

Recorded on this day:
KANSAS KIDS
LOIS CAR RADIO
LUTHOR’S LUAU
SUNDAY MEETING
LATE NIGHT COUNTRY MUSIC
LOIS PAD
KIDS ON BUS

July 24, 1978– Director Richard Donner films Christopher Reeve as Superman flying and turning toward the dam to rescue Jimmy Olsen for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE.
Note the date on the clapperboard and the sketch of the shot getting filmed. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

July 25, 1978– Director Andre De Toth films portions of the rocket chase for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Christopher Reeve as Superman at Pinewood Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

Last week of July 1978– Warner Bros. officially announces the December 15 release date for the film. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

September 1978

September 7, 1978– Composer and Conductor John Williams records the musical score at Anvil Film and Recording Group Inc. in Denham, Bucks, England.

Recorded on this day:
THE DOME OPENS
LEX LUTHOR’S LAIR
THE HELICOPTER SEQUENCE
LOVE THEME FROM SUPERMAN

September 9, 1978– Composer and Conductor John Williams records the musical score at Anvil Film and Recording Group Inc. in Denham, Bucks, England.

Recorded on this day:
SUPER RESCUES/AIRFORCE ONE
TO THE MOON
THE TRUCK CONVOY PART 1/MISS TESCHMACHER HELPS
END TITLE
THE PLANET KRYPTON ALTERNATE B

September 10, 1978– Composer and Conductor John Williams records the musical score at Anvil Film and Recording Group Inc. in Denham, Bucks, England.

Recorded on this day:
THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE A

September 11, 1978– Composer and Conductor John Williams records the musical score at Anvil Film and Recording Group Inc. in Denham, Bucks, England.

Recorded on this day:
TRAJECTORY MALFUNCTION ALTERNATE
THE KRYPTONQUAKE
GROWING UP
THE TRUCK CONVOY PART 2

September 13, 1978– With just two weeks before he wraps up filming scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II under Richard Donner’s direction, Christopher Reeve attends the opening night of Terence Stamp’s stage performance of DRACULA.

September 19, 1978– Director Andre De Toth films portions of the fly off to turn time back for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Christopher Reeve as Superman at Pinewood Studios.
Reeve is just a little over a week from completing filming scenes from SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II under Richard Donner’s direction. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

September 21, 1978– Director Andre De Toth films portions of the fly off to turn time back for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Christopher Reeve as Superman at Pinewood Studios.
Reeve is a week from completing filming scenes from SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II under Richard Donner’s direction. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

September 29, 1978– Composer and Conductor John Williams records the musical score at Anvil Film and Recording Group Inc. in Denham, Bucks, England.

Recorded on this day:
LUTHOR’S PIANO

Late September 1978– With more than two months until the film’s theatrical release, newspapers nationwide in the U.S. reveal the super secret ending of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

October 1978

October 6, 1978– Composer and Conductor John Williams records the musical score at Anvil Film and Recording Group Inc. in Denham, Bucks, England.

Recorded on this day:
THE MUGGER
I CAN FLY
TO THE LAIR

October 15, 1978– Composer and Conductor John Williams records the musical score at Anvil Film and Recording Group Inc. in Denham, Bucks, England.

Recorded on this day:
FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE B
MARCH OF THE VILLAINS
TO THE LAIR SOUND FX
TRAJECTORY MALFUNCTION
CHASING ROCKETS
SUPERFEATS

October 17-19, 1978– Director Richard Donner films the baby inside the capsule on its trip to Earth for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Elizabeth Sweetman and Matthew Hinton as baby Kal-El on M Stage at Pinewood Studios.
At this time in history it is less than two months before the theatrical release. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

October 24, 1978– Composer and Conductor John Williams records the musical score at Anvil Film and Recording Group Inc. in Denham, Bucks, England.

Recorded on this day:
FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE C
PUSHING BOULDERS/FLYING TO LOIS
THE PRISON YARD
TURNING BACK THE WORLD ALTERNATE

October 31, 1978– Composer and Conductor John Williams records the musical score at Anvil Film and Recording Group Inc. in Denham, Bucks, England.

Recorded on this day:
PRELUDE AND MAIN TITLE MARCH A
THE PLANET KRYPTON OPENING (APPROACH)
THE TRIP TO EARTH
PRELUDE AND MAIN TITLE B

December 1978

December 10, 1978– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE has its Washington D.C. premiere at the Eisenhower Theatre to benefit the Special Olympics.

December 11, 1978– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE has its New York premiere at Loew’s Astor Plaza to benefit the Special Olympics.

December 13, 1978– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE has its London premiere at the Empire Leicester Square Theatre to benefit of Variety Clubs of Great Britain and The National Association of Maternal and Child Welfare.

December 14, 1978– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE has its Hollywood premiere at Mann’s Chinese Theatre to benefit the American Diabetes Association.

December 15, 1978– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE opens theatrically in 501 theaters across the U.S. and North America.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN THE MOVIE U.S. theatrical trailer

December 15, 1978– Christopher Reeve and girlfriend Gae Exton attend a Christmas concert in New York on the night of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE’s North American theatrical release. The clipping erroneously lists Gae Exton as Gail. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

December 18, 1978– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE records over $7 million in its first three days of release in the U.S. and across North America.

December 20, 1978- The SUPERMAN THE MOVIE original soundtrack is released on a double LP, audio cassette, and 8-Track tape.

-1979-

January 1979

January 3, 1979– Four ads from the SUPERMAN THE MOVIE production appear in Variety. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

January 26, 1979– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE opens theatrically in West Germany.

VIDEO: German theatrical trailer.

February 1979

Friday, February 9, 1979– Christopher Reeve and director Richard Donner attend USC’s Division of Cinema/TV 50th anniversary celebration.

February 15, 1979– The season 1, episode 19 of Mork and Mindy features a scene with Robin Williams and Pam Dawber holding a SUPERMAN THE MOVIE baby shirt.

VIDEO: Mork and Mindy segment.

February 12, 1979– Christopher Reeve appears as a guest on the syndicated television talk shows The Merv Griffin Show with guests Angie Dickinson, George Carlin, and Steve Lawrence, and on The Mike Douglas Show with co-host Michael Learned and guests Eartha Kitt, Beverly and Vidal Sasson, and Benji.
The episode dates varied throughout the country, but most major markets showed them on this date.

February 14, 1979– Christopher Reeve spends his first Valentine’s Day after SUPERMAN THE MOVIE’s theatrical release with girlfriend Gae Exton at New York’s hottest night spot, Studio 54, during an impromptu inspection by the city’s fire department.

February 15, 1979– The night after being spotted at Studio 54 with girlfriend Gae Exton, Christopher Reeve is seen hob-knobbing at a party in New York with director Woody Allen and dancer Twyla Tharp.

February 20, 1979– The 1978 films Academy Award nominations are announced and SUPERMAN THE MOVIE is on the list.
BEST EDITING: Stuart Baird
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: John Williams
BEST SOUND: Gordon K. McCallum, Graham Hartstone, Nicholas Le Messurier and Roy Charman
The film is also given a Special Achievement in Visual Effect award to Les Bowie, Colin Chilvers, Denys Coop, Derek Meddings, and Zoran Perisic.

February 24, 1979– The Sixth Annual Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films Awards are held in Los Angeles and the movie is nominated for numerous awards. The event would be aired on syndicated stations in May and June of 1979.
Wins-
Best Science Fiction Film- Superman The Movie
Best Actress- Margot Kidder
Best Music- John Williams
Best Special Effects- Colin Chilvers
Best Production Design- John Barry
Other nominations-
Best Actor- Christopher Reeve
Best Costumes- Yvonne Blake
Best Director- Richard Donner
Best Supporting Actress- Valerie Perrine

March 1979

March 15, 1979– Director Richard Donner receives a telegram from the producers stating his services would not be required for the completion of SUPERMAN II.

March 22, 1979– The 32nd British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) are held at the Wembley Conference Centre in London, England, and Christopher Reeve and girlfriend Gae Exton are in attendance to represent SUPERMAN THE MOVIE’s numerous nominations.
WINS-
Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles: Christopher Reeve
Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award: Les Bowie, Colin Chilvers, Denys Coop, Roy Field, Derek Meddings, Zorin Perisic and Wally Veevers
-NOMINATIONS-
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Gene Hackman
Best Cinematography: Geoffrey Unsworth
Best Production Design: John Barry
Best Sound: Chris Greenham, Gordon McCallum, Peter Pennell, Mike Hopkins, Pat Foster, Stan Fiferman, John Foster, Roy Charman, Norman Bolland, Brian Marshall, Charles Schmitz, Dick Ragusa and Chris Large

Late March 1979– At this point in history now fired director Richard Donner, story and scriptwriter Mario Puzo, and actor Marlon Brando are all suing the producers for various monetary reasons.
The Salkinds are suing Reeve to return to complete work on SUPERMAN II under Richard Lester’s direction. They cite he has an obligation by his original contract to complete two films, and the break in filming and change of directors doesn’t mean an end of production. Reeve feels that a new contract is in order due to that the shift in story isn’t the product he originally signed for and he’ll basically be making an entire new movie. All cast members but Reeve have at this time signed on to return.

Late March 1979– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE passes the $100 million box office mark.

April 1979

April 9, 1979– The Academy Awards are held in Los Angeles, and Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder are in attendance to represent SUPERMAN THE MOVIE’s various nominations.
Reeve confirms he has settled his lawsuit with the producers of Superman and will be returning for SUPERMAN II.
-WIN-
Special Achievement in Visual Effects: Les Bowie, Colin Chilvers, Denys Coop, Derek Meddings and Zoran Perisic
-NOMINATIONS-
Editing: Stuart Baird
Original Score: John Williams
Sound: Gordon K. McCallum, Graham Hartstone, Nicholas Le Messurier and Roy Charman

Early April 1979– As SUPERMAN THE MOVIE prepares to enter its fifth hit month in theatrical release, Christopher Reeve and the Superman producers agree on an arrangement for him to return to complete SUPERMAN II under Richard Lester’s direction. Reeve will receive a new paycheck, director and script approval, and a percentage of the profits for SUPERMAN II and SUPERMAN III, which he also agrees to star in.

May 1979

May 29, 1979– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE opens theatrically in Argentina.

July 1979

July 20, 1979– David and Leslie Newman turn in the final draft and shooting script for the Richard Lester directed SUPERMAN II scenes.

July 21, 1979– Christopher Reeve attends a press conference in Detroit to promote the rerelease of the film there. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

August 1979

August 15, 1979– Christopher Reeve arrives in London to resume filming SUPERMAN II under Richard Lester’s direction.
Reeve would spend two weeks in wardrobe, make up tests, and rehearsals before filming would commence on August 29.

August 29, 1979– Director Richard Lester resumes filming of SUPERMAN II. The first scenes filmed are the Houston Control Center with Shane Rimmer as the Second Controller and John Ratzenberger as the First Controller on F Stage at Pinewood Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

September 1979

September 2, 1979– Director Richard Lester films on location portions of the Niagara Falls rescue sequence for SUPERMAN II with Christopher Reeve as Superman, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, Hadley Kay as Jason, Elva Mae Hoover as the Mother, and Todd Woodcroft as the Father.
The Honeymoon Haven Hotel was played by The Table Rock Centre complex.
The hotel room scenes were filmed on a set at Pinewood Studios.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN II Niagara Falls filming behind the scenes.

September 9, 1979– Christopher Reeve appears on the U.S. program Kids Are People Too! The episode was filmed on August 3, 1979. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
Superfan Rick Lanier wrote some of his memories of the show:
(1) Host Michael Young introduced Christopher Reeve as the man “who made the world believe that he could fly,” then a flying shot from SUPERMAN was shown just before Reeve came out.
(2) A girl in the audience asked how long it took to make SUPERMAN and Reeve gave a vague and completely unsatisfying answer, saying that shooting ended in October (not providing the year) and didn’t bother to mention when it had started.
(3) During a segment on how chromakey works, a boy from the audience was put in a Superman costume and laid on a green podium against a green screen, then had airplane footage superimposed behind him.
(4) Towards the end of the show, host Michael Green was hooked to a cable and hoisted over the stage in front of the studio audience, swinging back and forth.
(5) Christopher Reeve was not present at either “flying” demonstration.
(6) Christopher Reeve had been on “The Tonight Show” in July of ’79, talking with Johnny Carson about how he was about to start filming SUPERMAN II. No mention of Part II was made on “Kids are People Too.”
I remember the original broadcast was 90 minutes, then in early 1980 I was living in a different city when I saw the rerun but it was just an hour long.

September 17, 1979– Director Richard Lester films the jump into the river sequences with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane at Niagara Falls.
After almost four weeks of filming at and around Niagara Falls, the main unit would finish this sequence and film a few more tidbits on the location for a couple of more days before heading back to Pinewood Studios in England by the midweek.

October 1979

October 10, 1979– Director Richard Lester films the Fortress of Solitude dinner scenes for SUPERMAN II with Christopher Reeve as Superman and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane on the 007 Stage at Pinewood Studios.
A short bit filmed but deleted from the theatrical release has Superman baking a souffle with his heat vision just prior to the dinner scene, it’s what you see them eating in the film, dessert. This sequence was added to the extended tv version. Although not included in the bluray or DVD releases of the 117 minutes SUPERMAN II THE RICHARD DONNER CUT, the scene appears in the 122 minutes streaming version. It’s also available as a special feature in the deleted scenes section on the theatrical version disc of SUPERMAN II on the post 2006 DVD releases and blurays.
Another short scene filmed and featured only in the extended tv version (cut in the ABC airings in the U.S.) shows Lois walking into a secluded part of the Fortress just after the dinner and pulling out the nightgown from her purse she is later seen wearing when Superman depowers. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 1979

November, 1979– Director Richard Lester films the Metropolis battle street scenes for SUPERMAN II with Christopher Reeve as Superman, Terence Stamp as General Zod, Jack O’Halloran as Non, and Sarah Douglas as Ursa. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

VIDEO: Metropolis street battle behind the scenes footage.

December 1979

December 12, 1979– Director Richard Lester films the Non punching Superman and Superman kicking Non sequences for SUPERMAN II with Christopher Reeve as Superman and Jack O’Halloran as Non on A Stage at Pinewood Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

-1980-

January 1980

January 4, 1980– Director Richard Lester films the mid-air restraint sequence for SUPERMAN II with Christopher Reeve as Superman, Jack O’Halloran as Non, and Sarah Douglas as Ursa on A Stage at Pinewood Studios.
An unused take filmed by Lester was used for SUPERMAN II THE RICHARD DONNER CUT. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

January 25, 1980– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE is released on VHS and BETAMAX by WCI Home Video.
The film is sped up, a few scenes are trimmed, and the end credits removed, giving the film a 127 minutes running time in order to fit the movie on one videocassette due to the tape length limitations of the time. Retail price ranges between $65-$100. Many stores sell out of copies. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 1980

February 1 and 2, 1980– The production spends a weekend in Buskerud county, Norway, filming Christopher Reeve as powerless Clark walking back to the Fortress of Solitude, and of stand ins for Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor and Valerie Perrine as Miss Teschmacher on a sled heading to and coming from the Fortress.
While filming SUPERMAN THE MOVIE in Canada in August 1977, a second unit during director Richard Donner’s tenure filmed scenes of Lex and Miss Teschmacher heading to and coming from the Fortress of Solitude using Hackman and Perrine stand ins. These scenes were scrapped and all the shots in the theatrical version of SUPERMAN II are reshoots under Richard Lester’s direction. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 7, 1980– CBS airs THE MUPPET SHOW featuring Christopher Reeve as a guest.
The episode was filmed two weeks earlier at Elstree Studios from January 22-25 while Reeve was shooting SUPERMAN II under Richard Lester’s direction at Pinewood Studios.

February 20, 1980– Director Zoran Perisic under Director Richard Lester’s direction films the Superman flying to Paris scenes with Christopher Reeve as Superman on A Stage at Pinewood Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 22, 1980– Zoptic creator and director Zoran Perisic films the Superman Metropolis battle rooftop take off and tanker truck fly down, and Superman flying with the American Flag on A Stage at Pinewod Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 22, 1980– The model unit films the Eiffel Tower miniature for SUPERMAN II on the Pinewood Studios backlot. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

March 1980

March 10, 1980– After seven months of filming new sequences and reshooting of Donner scenes, Director Richard Lester finishes principal photography on SUPERMAN II four days ahead of schedule.

Late March 1980– Press rumors has producers Dino DeLaurentiis having purchased the rights to SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and the then unreleased SUPERMAN II. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

March 25, 1980– Composer Ken Thorne begins recording the musical score for SUPERMAN II at The Music Centre in England.

May 1980

May 2, 1980– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE begins a limited theatrical rerelease across the U.S. This is not a wide release, and some theaters play it as a matinee, or only on weekends, or late shows, etc. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

June 1980

June 27, 1980– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE is re-released theatrically in New York and New Jersey.

July 1980

July 2, 1980– Warner Bros. pulls BRONCO BILLY from most theaters and expands SUPERMAN THE MOVIE’s limited theatrical re-release to take over some of those screens. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

October 1980

October 4, 1980– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE makes its television world premiere with the screening of the theatrical version on the ON-TV premium cable channel.
The home video release on VHS and Betamax earlier in the year had been altered and edited to 127 minutes in order to fit the film on one videocassette due to videotape length limitations of the time, so this ON-TV airing would mark the first time the full theatrical version would be seen on home media. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

October 11, 1980- The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE premieres on Showtime. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

October 12, 1980- The theatrical version premieres on HBO.

October 25-26, 1980– Showtime offers a free viewing weekend with the theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE as one of the main attractions. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 1980

November 8, 1980– A month after first airing on most major cable television movie channels, the theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE premieres on The Movie Channel. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 17 1980– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE premieres on Home Theater Network. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

December 1980

December 4, 1980– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Australia.

December 6 and 7, 1980– HBO offers a free viewing weekend with the theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE as one of the main attractions. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

December 9, 1980– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in France and Norway.

VIDEO: French theatrical trailer.

December 11, 1980– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Spain.

December 15-31, 1980– The Movie Channel premium channel begins a two week run of “Best of ’80” airing with the theatrical version as one of its attractions. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

December 16, 1980– Official media preview of SUPERMAN II at 6:30 pm at the Warner West End 2 in London. This information was listed by Ilya Salkind on his Facebook page.

December 19, 1980– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Seville, Spain.

December 25, 1980– SUPERMAN II opens in Argentina.

December 31, 1980– The Z Channel premium cable channel ends the year s screening of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

–1981–

January 1981

January 8, 1981– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Greece.

February 1981

February 3, 1981– The Marquee cable provider in Salinas, California, offers its subscribers a free viewing of the film at 7:30pm. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

March 1981

March 9, 1981– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Denmark.

April 1981

April 2, 1981– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Portugal and West Germany.

April 8, 1981– SUPERMAN II has its London Royal Premiere at the Warner West End. Margot Kidder, Terence Stamp, and Sarah Douglas are in attendance.

April 9, 1981– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in London.

April 12, 1981– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically across all of England.

April 17, 1981– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Finland.

May 1981

May 31, 1981– SUPERMAN II has its Washington D.C. premiere. In attendance are Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Jack O’Halloran, Sarah Douglas, Director Richard Lester, Executive Producer Ilya Salkind, and Producer Pierre Spengler.

VIDEO: Washington D.C. and New York premieres footage.

June 1981

June 1, 1981– SUPERMAN II New York premiere. In attendance are Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Jack O’Halloran, Sarah Douglas, Terence Stamp, Director Richard Lester, Executive Producer Ilya Salkind, and Producer Pierre Spengler.

June 5, 1981– The SUPERMAN II original soundtrack is released in North America on record and audio cassette.

June 6, 1981– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Japan.

June 19, 1981– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Canada and the U.S. in 1,395 theaters earning nearly $4.5 million in its first day.

VIDEO: U.S. theatrical trailer

June 20, 1981– SUPERMAN II records the highest two day box office gross in motion picture history up to that time, earning more than $10 million in its opening two days.

June 21, 1981– SUPERMAN II records the highest grossing opening weekend and highest box office earning for one day in motion picture history up to that time.

June 25, 1981– SUPERMAN II records the highest weekly gross in motion picture history up to that time.

July 1981

July 25, 1981– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in South Korea.

July 31, 1981– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Sweden.

August 1981

August 9, 1981– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Ireland.

August 13, 1981– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Mexico.

October 1981

October 12, 1981- Less than four months since its North American theatrical release, the theatrical version of SUPERMAN II is released on home video in VHS and Betamax formats.
This release would be the same mono sound print later released in the red clamshell case.
SUPERMAN THE MOVIE is released for a third time on VHS and Betamax.
The previous VHS and Betamax big cardboard box releases by WCI Home Video and Warner Home Video had been sped up and the end credits reduced to bring the original running time of the film from 143 minutes to 127 in order to fit the movie on one cassette due to video tape length limitations of the time, this release is that same 127 minute print slightly altered, making this release unique and different from ANY OTHER officially released version of the film. More on this tomorrow.
For the only time in the history of the official videotapes released on home video in the U.S., the title on the labels of the videocassettes were depicted with the film’s respective logo lettering (previous and later releases featured a basic text font).
The release of SUPERMAN II on home video causes a stir in the video rental community as Warner Bros. makes its video library for rental only to video stores.
Essentially, video stores would lease the tapes from Warner Home Video, and then rent them out to customers. After six months of rental, the video store would be allowed to purchase the used video cassettes at a discounted price. Many video stores refused to carry Warner titles, citing that if your video store rented a title from Warner for their store, and that if that title didn’t rent out that week to customers, you would be out of money.
Basically, Warner Bros. wanted to treat video stores like movie theatres: you rent the films from them weekly, then charge people to watch them.
The film was yet to open theatrically in India, Thailand, Colombia, Uruguay, Turkey, and Peru. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

October 14, 1981– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in India.

December 1981

December 14, 1981– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Colombia.

-1982-

January 1982

January 1, 1982– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Uruguay.

January 22, 1982– Three ads from the SUPERMAN II production appear in Variety.

January 24, 1982– ABC premieres THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE documentary from 7-8pm. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 1982

February 1-7, 1983– ABC promotes the network television premiere of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE on February 7.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN THE MOVIE ABC TV commercials.

February 7, 1982– ABC airs in two parts the extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE, featuring roughly 38 minutes of theatrically deleted and alternate takes from 8-10pm. Part 2 would air the following night.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN THE MOVIE ABC night 1 intro, bumpers, and night 2 preview.

February 7 and 8, 1982– NTV in New Foundland airs the extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE featuring theatrically deleted and alternate takes at 9:30pm.

February 8, 1982– ABC airs part 2 of the extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE featuring roughly 38 minutes of theatrically deleted and alternate takes from 8-10pm.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN THE MOVIE ABC night 2 intro and night 1 recap.

February 14 and 15, 1982– The extended 2 part TV version premieres on network TV in Hawaii.

March 1982

March 1982– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Turkey.

March 18, 1982– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Peru.

April 1982

Early April 1982– Actor Marlon Brando and story and scriptwriter Mario Puzo settle their lawsuits with the production’s producers.
The payout is an undisclosed amount reportedly to be $10 million split between the the two.

April 13, 1982– Less than a year after its U.S. theatrical release, the theatrical version of SUPERMAN II makes its world television premiere on the QUBE interactive cables service in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, six months before national cable airings. An event is held at Warner Bros. headquarters in Pittsburg, Christopher Reeve flies in on his own plane to be in attendance. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

April 20, 1982– ITV buys the rights to air SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II four times each over the next six years.

June 1982

June 21-24, 1982– SUPERMAN III begins principal photography with filming portions of the interior of Lana’s home and hotel sequences for SUPERMAN III with Christopher Reeve as Superman and Clark Kent, Annette O’Toole as Lana, and Paul Kaethler as Ricky on E Stage at Pinewood Studios.

June 23, 1982– Director Richard Lester films the Lana’s hotel room sequences for SUPERMAN III with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent, Annette O’Toole as Lana Lang, Paul Kaethler as Ricky, and Gavan O’Herlihy as Brad Wilson on E Stage at Pinewood Studios.

June 24, 1982– Director Richard Lester films the Lana’s hotel room and Lana and Ricky on the subway scenes for SUPERMAN III with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent, Annette O’Toole as Lana Lang, Paul Kaethler as Ricky, and Gavan O’Herlihy as Brad Wilson on E Stage at Pinewood Studios.
Also filmed on this day on the same stage was a short theatrically deleted sequence featuring Frank Oz as a surgeon about to operate on a patient just as the supercomputer blacks out the planet. The scene was featured in the extended TV version.

June 25, 1982– Filming the junkyard sequences for SUPERMAN III with Christopher Reeve as Superman and Clark Kent on the Pinewood Studios backlot.
Stunt performer Paul Weston doubles for Reeve.
The American cars were acquired from a local junkyard owner whose lot was sold and needed a location to store the cars until the new lot was ready, so the production rented his entire auto graveyard and brought the cars to the studio lot. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

VIDEO: Filming the junkyard behind the scenes footage.

July 1982

July 23, 1982– Director Richard Lester films the coal mine sequences for SUPERMAN III with Christopher Reeve as Superman, Richard Pryor as Gus Gorman, Chris Malcom as Miner 1, and Larry Lamb as Miner 2 at Battersea Power Station in London, England.
Actor Larry Lamb also appeared in various scenes in SUPERMAN THE MOVIE as a reporter at the Daily Planet (he’s one of the guys that ignores and walks past Clark Kent at the elevators).

VIDEO: Filming the coal mine behind the scenes footage.

August 1982

August 17, 1982– The SUPERMAN III production begins its first day of a month long shoot in Canada.
The first sequences filmed are the gas station fight, Richard Pryor as Gus Gorman in the coffee shop, and man filling gas tank from the end resolution to the gas crisis.
Later that afternoon the production films Richard Pryor’s stunt performer, Greg Elam, leaping into the street on skis for the last part of Gus Gorman’s Webscoe building fall. Pryor would then step in to film his scoot away across the street. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

August 18, 1982– Director Richard Lester films the arrival of Gus in Smallville for SUPERMAN III with Richard Pryor as Gus Gorman, Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent, Paul Kaethler as Ricky, and Annette O’Toole as Lana Lang in High River, Alberta, Canada. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

August 18, 1982– THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE documentary airs on PBS stations WLIL. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

August 19, 1982– Director Richard Lester films the Smallville celebration for SUPERMAN III with Christopher Reeve as Superman, Richard Pryor as Gus Gorman, Annette O’Toole as Lana Lang, Paul Kaethler as Ricky, Gordon Signer as the Mayor, and Annie Ross as Vera Webster in High River, Alberta, Canada. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN III Smallville celebration behind the scenes footage.

August 22-27, 1982– Director Richard Lester films the streets of Metropolis location scenes for SUPERMAN III with Christopher Reeve as Superman and Clark Kent, Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen, Pamela Stephenson as Lorelei, and numerous local extras in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN III filming the streets of Metropolis behind the scenes footage.

August 22, 1982– Filming in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, for SUPERMAN III with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent blowing out a burning penguin and getting a torn newspaper, Graham Stark as the blind man losing his dog and painting the street, Wendy Leech as the the lady dropping her grocery bags, and Gordon Rollins as the man who falls into street hole. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

August 22, 1982– THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE documentary airs on the PBS stations WLVT, WKAR, and KHET. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

August 24 1982– THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE documentary airs on the PBS stations WNET, KTCA, and WETA. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

August 25, 1982– THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE documentary airs on PBS stations WLVT and WPBT. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

August 26, 1982– THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE documentary airs on PBS stations NETV, WTVS, WEDU, KSPS, WVPT, WVPT, WPTO, WPTD, KUED, KHET, and KUAT. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

August 27, 1982– Filming Gus Gorman’s fall down the side of the Webscoe building with stunt performer Greg Elam as Gus Gorman for SUPERMAN III in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

August 28, 1982– THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE documentary airs on PBS stations CPTV, KIXE, and WVIA. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

August 29-31, 1982– Director Richard Lester films the Smallville picnic sequences for SUPERMAN III with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent and Superman, Paul Kaethler as Ricky, and Annette O’Toole as Lana Lang in Blackie, Alberta, Canada.

September 1982

Early September 1982– Director Richard Lester films the chemical plant fire locations sequences for SUPERMAN III with Christopher Reeve as Superman, Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen, Rick McNair as Fireman, Stunt Performer Mark Stewart as Firefighter, and Al Matthews as the Fire Chief at the Turbo Refinery in Alberta, Canada.
The acid room and Superman walking through fire and picking up Jimmy were filmed at Pinewood Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN III filming the chemical plant fire behind the scenes footage.

September 7, 1982– Director Richard Lester films the Superman landing with an injured Jimmy Olsen and taking off to the lake scenes for SUPERMAN III with Christopher Reeve as Superman, Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen, Rick McNair as Fireman, Stunt Performer Mark Stewart as Firefighter, and Al Matthews as the Fire Chief at the Alberta Turbo Factory in Alberta, Canada.
The acid room and Superman walking through fire and picking up Jimmy were filmed at Pinewood Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

September 10, 1982– The production holds a thank you party for the cast and crew of the film and their invited guests.
As a token of their appreciation to the people of city for their outstanding support in the making of the film, the production donates $3,000 to the Calgary Centre for the Performing Arts.

September 13, 1982– The production wraps up the last couple of days of location filming in Canada with the tanker truck rescue in Longview, Alberta, Canada. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

September 14, 1982– After almost four weeks of location filming in and around Calgary and High River in Alberta, Canada, and at the Grand Canyon In the U.S., the production heads back to England’s Pinewood Studios for another two months of stage and backlot filming. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

September 21-23, 1982– Director Richard Lester spends three days filming the Webster’s office scenes for SUPERMAN III with Richard Pryor as Gus Gorman, Robert Vaughn as Ross Webster, Pamela Stephenson as Lorelei Ambrosia, Annie Ross as Vera Webster, and Robert Henderson as Mr. Simpson on F Stage at Pinewood Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

August 24 and 25, 1982– Director Richard Lester films the Gus Gorman paycheck scenes with Richard Pryor as Gus Gorman, Lou Hirsch as Fred, and Bill Reimbold as Wages Man on L Stage at Pinewood Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

October 1982

October 1, 1982– SUPERMAN II begins a re-release across the U.S. The film would play throughout the country well into 1983. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 1982

November 3, 1982– Christopher Reeve appears on ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT to talk SUPERMAN III. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 12, 1982- SUPERMAN THE MOVIE is released for the fourth time, and SUPERMAN II for its second, on VHS and Betamax.
This was to be the first time that the complete 144 minutes theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE would become available on home video.
The first two home video releases (the big black box by WCI HOME VIDEO and WARNER HOME VIDEO) had been edited down to 127 minutes, sped up, and the end credits reduced in order to fit the entire film on one videocassette due to tape length limitations of the time. The third home video release was the complete film in normal speed, but the end credits were still reduced. This same third release was also marked as part of Warner Home Video’s new rental only plan, where Warner would rent, not sell, the videotapes to stores, they in turn rented them out to customers. This marketing strategy barely lasted a year, as many video stores refused to carry Warner titles because of it.
SUPERMAN II had been released in October the previous year (1981), also as part of the Warner rental only program, so this release would be the first where the film was available for purchase by the general public.

November 13, 1982– The CFCN Canadian TV network airs for the second time the extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE.
This is the same version as the two night airing in February edited to run in one night. Note in the ad the mention of SUPERMAN III filming in Calgary over the summer of 1982. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 14, 1982– ABC airs the extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE from 8-11:40pm. This is the same version as the two night airing in February edited to run in one night.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN THE MOVIE ABC intro and bumpers.

November 27, 1982– ABC airs the extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE on their Hawaii affiliate station KITV. This is the same version as the two night airing in February edited to run in one night. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 27, 1982– THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE documentary airs on the PBS station KTCA. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

December 1982

December 8, 1982– THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE documentary airs on PBS stations KEDT and KTVP. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

December 30, 1982– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Thailand.

December 21, 1982– Helen Slater is notified that she has been cast as Supergirl, Linda Lee, and Kara. Her pay, $75,000.
SUPERMAN III had finished principal photography the previous month and is in post production to be released in less than six months. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

VIDEO: Helen Slater is informed she is cast, from the SUPERGIRL: THE MAKING OF THE MOVIE 1985 documentary.

-1983-

January 1983

January 1983– The Movie Channel runs the “Superman Adventure Sweepstakes” mail in contest.
1st place (1 winner, 3 guests): Round trip travel on a private Learjet to Washington D.C., accommodations for four, $1000 spending money, and tickets to the cast party and premiere screening of SUPERMAN III.
2nd place (150 winners): Atari 2600 video computer system and Superman game.
3rd place (1500 winners): SUPERMAN II U.S. movie program. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

VIDEO: The Movie Channel “Superman Adventure Sweepstakes” tv spot.

January 1, 1983– The HBO premium cable channel premieres the theatrical version of SUPERMAN II.

January 2, 1983– The Showtime premium cable channel premieres the theatrical version of SUPERMAN II.

January 21-23, 1983– The Movie Channel premium cable channel offers a free preview weekend with the theatrical version of SUPERMAN II as one of the main attractions. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

Late January 1983– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN II is released on CED. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 1983

February 14, 1983- Composer Ken Thorne begins recording the musical score to SUPERMAN III at The Music Centre in England.

February 13 and 14, 1982– The Extended 2 part TV version makes its network premiere on Australian television’s Ch 10.
The competing channel 9’s advertising of their airing of the film Slapshot starring Paul Newman takes a swipe at Channel 10’s Superman screening. Newman was offered the role of Superman early in the casting decisions.

February 18-20, 1983– The World of Wheels auto show in Rapid City, South Dakota
has free showings of the film. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

March 1983

March 1983– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN II premieres on Canadian cable television.

April 1983

April 18, 1983– SUPERGIRL begins principal photography at Pinewood Studios.

May 1983

May 26, 1983– The theatrical version airs as a free viewing on Palmer Cablevision.

June 1983

June 1983– The SUPERGIRL production spends a week in Jackson Hole, the Yellowstone National Park, and the surrounding horse ranches in the Wyoming area filming the flying background plates.
The waterfall Supergirl flies over is called the Yellowstone Lower Falls, and is accessible to tourists.
The remaining locations for the sequence were filmed in Scotland and at Pinewood Studios and Blackpark Lake in England. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

June 12, 1983– SUPERMAN III has its Washington D.C. premiere to benefit the Special Olympics.

VIDEO: Washington D.C. premiere footage.

June 14, 1983– SUPERMAN III has its New York premiere to benefit the Museum of Modern Art.

June 17, 1983– SUPERMAN III opens theatrically across North America on 1, 759 screens.

VIDEO: U.S. theatrical trailer.

June 19, 1983– SUPERMAN III is the highest grossing film of the weekend.

July 1983

July 18, 1983– SUPERMAN III has its London Royal Premiere at the ABC Shaftesbury Avenue theatre.
The event is a charity function to benefit The Variety Club of Great Britain and The Newspaper Press Fund.
In attendance are Their Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Christopher Reeve, Marc McClure, Pamela Stephenson, Annie Ross, Paul Kaethler, Director Richard Lester, and Producers Pierre Spengler and Alexander and Ilya Salkind.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN III ITV Royal Premiere TV special.

July 1983– Filming the tractor and Midvale town sequences for SUPERGIRL with Helen Slater as Linda Lee and Supergirl, Hart Bochner as Ethan, Peter Cook as Nigel, Sandra Dickinson as Pretty Young Lady, Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen, Maureen Teefy as Lucy Lane, Brenda Vaccaro as Bianca, and Faye Dunaway as Selena on the Pinewood Studios backlot. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

August 1983

August 11, 1983– SUPERGIRL completes principal photography with filming of the beach sunset scene (pictured in ad below). This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 1983

November 25, 1983– The Showtime premium cable channel airs a Christopher Reeve quadruple feature marathon.
5pm– DEATHTRAP
7pm– FAIRY TALE THEATER: SLEEPING BEAUTY
8pm– SUPERMAN II
10:15pm– MONSIGNOR

December 1983

December 6, 1983– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN III is released in the U.S. on VHS and Betamax for $69.95, and on laserdisc and CED for $39.95. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

-1984-

January 1984

January 1, 1984– The Nickelodeon show “Stand By… Lights! Camera! Action!” features a segment on the making of SUPERMAN III. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

Video: Stand By… Lights! Camera! Action! featurette.

January 1, 1984– ABC airs THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN III documentary from 7-8pm. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 1984

February 17, 1984– SUPERMAN II makes its network tv world premiere as the extended version airs in Canada three days before the U.S.
This version was put together by the Salkind’s production company for television to feature roughly 20 minutes of added Richard Donner and Richard Lester filmed scenes unused in the theatrical version, giving it a running time of around 146 minutes. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 20, 1984– ABC premieres the extended version of SUPERMAN II.
This was the same TV Version as the Canadian airing a few nights before, except ABC cut roughly 6 minutes out, giving this airing a running time of 140 minutes.

March 1984

March 30, 1984– The extended tv version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on Australia’s Channel 10.

April 1984

April 1, 1984– Showtime is the first non-network tv channel to air the theatrical version of SUPERMAN III by showing it at 10am, beating the Cinemax airing at noon by two hours. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

April 8, 1984– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN III airs on the HBO premium cable channel.

April 12-15, 1984– The HBO and Cinemax premium cable channels offer a free preview weekend with the theatrical version of SUPERMAN III as one of the main attractions. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

April 18, 1984– The Cowlitz Cableview Co. in Washington offers a free night of movies featuring the theatrical version of SUPERMAN III. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

April 19, 1984– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN III airs on the HBO premium cable channel.

May 1984

May 1984– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE is released on home video in Spain. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 24, 1984– U.S.A. Home Video releases THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN II in the U.S. on VHS and Betamax. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

July 1984

July 17, 1984– SUPERGIRL opens theatrically in Spain with a 124 minutes running time.

July 19, 1984– SUPERGIRL has its Royal Premiere in London.

July 20 1984– SUPERGIRL opens theatrically in the UK with a 124 minutes running time.

VIDEO: SUPERGIRL UK theatrical trailer.

August 1984

August 9, 1984– SUPERGIRL opens theatrically in Australia.

VIDEO: SUPERGIRL international trailer.

October 1984

October 10, 1984– SUPERGIRL opens theatrically in France.

October 24, 1984– SUPERGIRL opens theatrically in various parts of Canada.

November 1984

November 21, 1984– SUPERGIRL opens theatrically in the U.S. with a 105 minutes running time.

VIDEO: SUPERGIRL U.S. theatrical trailer.

November 27, 1984– SUPERGIRL is #1 at the U.S. box office with $5.7 million for the three day weekend, and $7.7 million in its first five days of release.

December 1984

December 21, 1984– SUPERGIRL opens theatrically in various parts of Canada.

December 23, 1984– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs in Canada and on ABC in the U.S.
This would be the third of four showings on ABC and Canadian television, and since the two previous airings had been the extended version of the film, this showing would mark the first time the theatrical version aired on network television in North America.

VIDEO: ABC intro and teaser.

-1985-

March 1985

March 22, 1985– SUPERGIRL opens theatrically in West Germany.

VIDEO: SUPERGIRL German theatrical trailer.

April 1985

April 6, 1985– Christopher Reeve guest hosts SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE with permanent cast member and SUPERMAN III co-star Pamela Stephenson.

April 7, 1985– ABC airs the extended TV version of SUPERMAN II for the second time.

April 11, 1985– U.S.A Home Video releases the 105 minutes U.S. theatrical version of SUPERGIRL on VHS and Betamax for $79.95. The film is also made available on laserdisc and CED. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

June 1985

Mid June 1985– Cannon films acquires the Superman film rights from the Salkinds.

August 1985

August 16, 1985– This is the date that appears on the newspaper Mariel Hemingway as Lacy Warfield holds up in the staff meeting sequence in SUPERMAN IV. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

August 17, 1985– This is the date that appears on the newspaper Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man sees “the woman” on in SUPERMAN IV. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

August 18, 1985– ABC airs SUPERMAN THE MOVIE for the fourth and final time. This is an edited for network standards theatrical version airing of the film.

August 29, 1985– This is the date on the newspaper that appears with the headline “SUPERMAN SAYS ‘DROP DEAD’ TO KID” in SUPERMAN IV. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 1985

November 2, 1985– The 105 minutes U.S. theatrical version makes its television world premiere by airing on the Cinemax premium cable channel.
The film would air exclusively on HBO and Cinemax until its network TV premiere in 1987. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 8, 1985– The 105 minutes U.S. theatrical version airs on the Cinemax premium cable channel.
The film would air exclusively on HBO and Cinemax until its network TV premiere in 1987. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 16, 1985– Two weeks after making its television world premiere on the Cinemax premium cable channel, the U.S. theatrical version of SUPERGIRL premieres on HBO.
The film would play exclusively in the U.S. on HBO and Cinemax until its network TV premiere in 1987.

December 1985

December 1985– It’s officially announced that Christopher Reeve will star in a fourth Superman film.

December 29, 1985– ABC airs SUPERGIRL: THE MAKING OF THE MOVIE and the TV version of SUPERMAN II.

VIDEO: ABC TV ads, intro and teaser.

-1986-

January 1986

January 4, 1986– After four years on ABC, CBS acquires the rights to and airs the theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE from 8-11pm.

April 1986

Early April 1986– Margot Kidder signs on to do SUPERMAN IV.

April 20, 1986– ABC premieres the extended tv version of SUPERMAN III from 8-11pm.
Following the tradition of previous airings of the Superman films on ABC, this showing featured some 19 minutes of added footage that was cut theatrically, including a newly created opening credits sequence, giving the film a 141 minutes running time.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN III ABC TV spots and intro.

-June 1986-

June 1986– Cannon Films shifts production of SUPERMAN IV from Pinewood Studios to Elstree Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

July 1986

July 6, 1986– Christopher Reeve appears on Entertainment Tonight to talk SUPERMAN IV.

-September 1986-

September 29, 1986– SUPERMAN IV begins principal photography with the filming of Clark visiting the Kent’s grave and the barn interior with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent in Baldock, Hertfordshire, England.
The sequence of Clark at the Kent’s grave has never been seen publicly outside of the test screenings.
The shot of Mr. Hornsby’s truck driving up the road as seen through Clark’s x-ray vision was filmed in California. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

September 30, 1986– Day two of principal photography for SUPERMAN IV and finishing filming the farm scenes with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent and Don Fellows as Levon Hornsby in Baldock, Hertfordshire, England.
Don Fellows may seem familiar to fans, he was the general in East Houston that only answers to the President in SUPERMAN II. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

October 1986

October 1, 1986– Day three of principal photography for SUPERMAN IV has Christopher Reeve as Superman filming the tornado sequence.
This sequence was featured completed with music and special fx in the theatrical cut in various countries outside of the U.S., giving that version of the film a running time of 93 minutes.
The post-2006 DVD and bluray releases contain the sequence in widescreen with temporary music and unfinished fx as a special feature in the deleted scenes section.
The Japanese widescreen laserdisc features the sequence within the film with finished fx and music, though oddly cropped to show less of the picture image compared to it as seen in the special features section of the blurays and DVDs.
The scene was included in the film when it became available for television syndication from May 1990 to 2000.
Christopher Reeve’s daughter Alexandra Reeve plays Jenny, the little girl swept up by the tornado and rescued by Superman.
The farmhouse seen here is also the Kent farmhouse seen at the beginning of the film when Clark returns to Smallville.
Superfan Tom Soliva reasoned that some theatrical versions contained this scene due to rules for running time minimums in those countries. While not a confirmed fact, it is a possibility.
Filmed in Baldock, Hertfordshire, England. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

October 2, 1986– Day four of principal photography for SUPERMAN IV and filming the football game sequences for the intended finale of the film.
During the press conference at the end of the movie Superman mentions seeing the world the way he sees it, he thinks for a moment before flying off to Jeremy’s school, where he finds him during a football game, they fly off together with Jeremy reporting back that there’s no borders from the sky, it’s just one world.
When the film was heavily edited for theatrical release several scenes were moved around to fit the new narrative. As originally intended Superman catches Lex and Lenny Luthor first, has the press conference, and then this scene was to occur and end the film.
Several shots of various cultures listening to Superman’s speech intercut during the press conference were filmed but also deleted from all theatrical releases.
This sequence can be seen in widescreen with unfinished fx and temporary music on the post-2006 DVD and bluray releases in the deleted scenes section.
Filmed at The Sir Frank Markham Comprehensive School, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

October 16, 1986– Mariel Hemingway as Lacy Warfield photo shoot at Elstree Studios on Stage 6 at Elstree Studios. Note the Luthor’s penthouse backdrop and Gene Hackman’s name on the back of the chair. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

October 16 and 17, 1986– Filming Nuclear Man 2’s first arrival at Luthor’s penthouse for SUPERMAN IV with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Jon Cryer as Lenny Luthor, and Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man 2 on Stage 6 at Elstree Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

October 21, 1986– Filming the nuclear arms dealers at Luthor’s penthouse scenes with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Jon Cryer as Lenny Luthor, Jim Broadbent as Jean Pierre Dubois, William Hootkins as Harry Howler, Stanley Lebor as General Romoff, and Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man 2 on Stage 6 at Elstree Studios.
Although there’s no official confirmation whether it was filmed or not, a scripted line has Nuclear Man 2 replying “Destiny” when Lex asks “what’s to fear?”, which upsets Lex, who reaches for an umbrella and puts the shade on Nuclear Man 2. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

October 23-24, 1986– Filming the Luthor’s penthouse balcony scenes for SUPERMAN IV with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Christopher Reeve as Superman, Jon Cryer as Lenny Luthor, and Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man 2 on Stage 6 at Elstree Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

October 28, 1986– Filming the Nuclear Man 2 waking and seeing the newspaper with Lacy Warfield on the cover and burning up Lex’s pile of cash for SUPERMAN IV with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Jon Cryer as Lenny Luthor, and Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man 2 on Stage 6 at Elstree Studios. Part of the sequence would be deleted from the theatrical cut. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

October 30, 1986– Filming the Lenny returns with Nuclear Man 1’s ashes scene for SUPERMAN IV with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor and Jon Cryer as Lenny Luthor on Stage 6 at Elstree Studios. The sequence would be deleted from the theatrical cut. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 1986

November 12, 1986– Filming various Daily Planet scenes for SUPERMAN IV, including a deleted sequence of Lois Lane and Lacy chatting at an outdoor cafe. Also filmed was Lois quitting the paper and Nuclear Man 2 kidnapping Lacy from the Daily Plane with Mariel Hemingway as Lacy Warfield, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, Sam Wanamaker as Mr. Warfield, and Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man 2. Filmed at the Avebury Building in Milton Keynes, Hertfordshire, England. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 19-21, 1986– Filming the double date sequences for SUPERMAN IV with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent and Superman, Mariel Hemingway as Lacy Warfield, and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane on Stage 6 at the Elstree Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 21-24, 1986– Filming the Nuclear Man 1 and Superman street battle for SUPERMAN IV with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent and Clive Mantle as Nuclear Man 1 on the Elstree Studios backlot.
This sequence would be cut from all releases of the film. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 24-26, 1986– Filming the Metro Club interior sequences for SUPERMAN IV with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent, Mariel Hemingway as Lacy Warfield, and Clive Mantle as Nuclear Man 1 at the Hippodrome Nightclub in London, England.
This sequence would be cut from all releases of the film. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

December 1986

December 2, 1986– Entertainment Tonight features a segment on the making of SUPERMAN IV, featuring interviews with Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, and Mark Pillow.

December 4, 1986– Filming the SUPERMAN IV Clark’s apartment sequences for the lovers flight sequence with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent and Superman, and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane on Stage 10 at Elstree Studios.

December 5, 1986– Filming Lois visiting a sick Clark at his apartment and the Green Crystal healing sequences on the terrace for SUPERMAN with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane on Stage 10 at Elstree Studios.
A longer sequence of a sickly Clark stubbling around his apartment was filmed but cut from all released versions.
The post-2006 DVD and bluray releases contain the sequence in widescreen with temporary music and unfinished fx as a special feature in the deleted scenes section. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

December 8, 1986– Filming the Boys Town sequences with Christopher Reeve as Superman, Jon Cryer as Lenny Luthor, and Mark Caven as the Priest on the Elstree Studios lot. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

December 10-11, 1986– Filming the Nuclear Man 2 and Superman Metropolis street battle on the Elstree Studios lot and the Italian village rescue sequences on Stage 4 with Christopher Reeve as Superman and Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man 2. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

-1987-

January 1987

January 1987– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE returns to premium cable channels after almost five years on ABC and one airing on the CBS network.

January 1987– The Movie Channel premium cable channel airs and exclusive interview with Christopher Reeve to promote airings of the theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE during the month.
This interview was most likely recorded in November or December 1986. At the time of the airing of this interview Reeve was in the middle of filming SUPERMAN IV. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

VIDEO: The Movie Channel exclusive interview with Christopher Reeve.

January 13, 1987– Christopher Reeve as Superman and Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man 2 film the space fight sequences for SUPERMAN IV on Stage 6 at Elstree Studios, England. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

January 19, 1987– The Movie Channel premium cable channel airs the theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE as part of their “Enforcers Week Marathon” at 9pm. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

VIDEO: The Movie Channel “Enforcers Week Marathon” TV spot.

February 1987

February 27, 1987– SUPERGIRL makes its network television world debut as the extended version premieres on Canadian television one day before the U.S. airing on ABC. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 28, 1987– SUPERGIRL makes its U.S. network television premiere as the extended version airs on ABC at 9pm.
As done with all the Superman film showings for television, the Salkind’s production company prepared a longer 138 minute version with many theatrically deleted scenes added to air in an intended 3 hour time slot. ABC trimmed roughly 45 minutes from this cut and aired it in a two hour time slot, giving this airing a running time of around 93 minutes without commercials.
The extended TV version would be released as SUPERGIRL THE DIRECTOR’S CUT by Anchor Bay in 2000 and Warner Archive in 2018.

March 1987

Early March 1987– Writers Barry Taff and Kenneth Stoller sue Christopher Reeve, Warner Bros., and Cannon Films for plagiarism of their script to SUPERMAN IV. Stoller and Taff claim they sent their similar based script to Reeve, who in turn stole their ideas for the film.

May 1987

May 1987– Work on the music and sound mix for SUPERMAN IV.

June 1987

Mid June 1987– Warner Bros. pushes SUPERMAN IV’s theatrical release from July 17th to the 24th.

July 1987

July 17, 1987– Christopher Reeve appears on Entertainment Tonight to talk SUPERMAN IV.

July 23, 1987– SUPERMAN IV has it Royal Premiere event to benefit the Variety Club of Great Britain and The Mary Rose Trust. In attendance are Prince Charles and Princess Diana and cast members Margot Kidder, Mariel Hemingway, Damian McLawhorn and Mark Pillow, who arrives dressed as Nuclear Man.

July 24, 1987– SUPERMAN IV opens theatrically in North America and throughout the world.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN IV U.S. theatrical trailer.

August 1987

August 1, 1987– Television guides erroneously list SUPERMAN II as airing on ABC this night, it did not. The programs that actually aired were the sitcom WEBSTER from 8-8:30pm, and the 1979 movie CHAPTER TWO from 8:30-11pm. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

August 3, 1987– The theatrical version of  SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KVVU TV5 in Las Vegas, Nevada, from 9-11:30pm, and again from 1-3:30am the following morning. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

VIDEO: KVVU TV5 TV spot.

August 4, 1987– Margot Kidder appears as a last minute guest on The Late Show With David Letterman on NBC at 12:30am and talks SUPERMAN IV, which was at the time in its third week of theatrical release.

VIDEO: Margot Kidder on The Late Show With David Letterman.

November 1987

November 25, 1987– The U.S. theatrical version of SUPERMAN IV is released in the U.S. on VHS, Betamax, and Spanish subtitled VHS for $89.95. The laserdisc is also made available for $34.98. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

-1988-

February 1988

February 7, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WYAH. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 14, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KPLR. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 15, 1988– SUPERMAN IV is released on VHS and Betamax in the UK. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 17, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WXIN. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 23, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WPIX. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 24, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WGN as part of a five day “Men of Steel Week” marathon, featuring the films DEATH WISH 3 (Feb. 23), THE OCTAGON (Feb. 25), THE ENFORCER (Feb. 26), and CAHILL U.S. MARSHALL (Feb. 27).

February 23, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WOFL. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 28, 1988– THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE, THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN II, and the theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE air on KTXA in celebration of Superman’s 50th birthday. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 29, 1988– CBS airs the SUPERMAN’S 50TH ANNIVERSAY: A CELEBRATION OF THE MAN OF STEEL television special.

March 1988

March 1, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WFLX. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

April 1988

April 3, 1988– ABC airs for the last time the extended TV version of SUPERMAN II. This airing contains the full scene of Lois and Superman talking and kissing on the glacier after the destruction of the Fortress of Solitude. Previous ABC airings deleted the the talk sequence with an abrupt cut from Superman destroying the Fortress to the couple embracing after the kiss.

VIDEO: ABC intro and teaser.

April 30, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KMSP. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 1988

May 3, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WSBK. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 10, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WEEV and KSTW. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 16, 1988– Part 1 of the 2 part extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WZTV. Part 2 would air the following night. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 16, 1988– Part 2 of the 2 part extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WZTV. Part 1 had aired the previous night. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 21, 1988– SUPERMAN IV is released on home video in Japan. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 23, 1988– Part 1 of the 2 part extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WCOV. Part 2 would air the following night. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 24, 1988– Part 2 of the 2 part extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WCOV. Part 1 had aired the previous night. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 24, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KHBK. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

June 1988

June 12,1988– The HBO premium cable channel features a free day with its premiere screening of the theatrical version of SUPERMAN IV as one of the main attractions.

June 25, 1988– SUPERMAN IV airs on the HBO premium cable channel.

June 28, 1988– SUPERMAN IV airs on the HBO premium cable channel.

July 1988

July 1988– SUPERMAN II returns to premium cable channels in the form of the theatrical version after four years airing on ABC as the extended version.

June 18, 1988– Part 1 of the 2 part extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WXIX. Part 2 would air the following night. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 1988

November 6, 1988– Part 1 of the 2 part extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KPHO. Part 2 would air the following night. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 8, 1988– Part 1 of the 2 part extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WUAB. Part 2 would air the following night. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 22, 1988– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KCOP. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

December 1988

December 29, 1988– SUPERMAN IV airs on HBO.

December 31, 1988– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on ABC for the final time on the network.

VIDEO: ABC teaser.

-1989-

February 1989

February 1, 1989– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE, SUPERMAN II, SUPERMAN III, and SUPERMAN IV are released newly “digitally processed”, and all of them for the first time in hi-fi stereo surround (SUPERMAN II had been previously released only in mono) for the low price of $19.99 each.
SUPERMAN IV had previously been released all spruced up in sound and picture in 1987, and this was that same release. This release would correct the erroneously spelled “MarK McClure” instead of Marc credit on the front cover of the SUPERMAN VHS box that had been present in the previous release. This release would still list him as “MarK” on the back summary of the packaging.
SUPERMAN THE MOVIE, SUPERMAN II, and SUPERMAN III contained a newly created pan and and scan framing.
This was the first pressing where no Betamax videocassettes of the films would be released. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 22 and 23, 1989– The extended 2 part version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WSBK. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 1989

May 3, 1989– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WZTV. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 7, 1989– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KPTV. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 8, 1989– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WACH. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 21, 1989– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KOKH. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

July 1989

July 1, 1989– ABC airs SUPERGIRL for the second time.

July 10, 1989– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KBHK. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

July 19, 1989– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WXIN. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

July 31, 1989– Part 1 of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE Extended 2 part TV Version airs on KGSW. Part 2 would air the following night (August 1, 1989). This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

August 1989

August 1, 1989– Part 2 of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE Extended 2 part TV Version airs on KGSW. Part 1 aired the previous night (July 31, 1989). This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

October 1989

October 24, 1989– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WPMT. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 1989

November 17, 1989– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on KTLA. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 21, 1989– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WOFL. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 23, 1989– After five years of airing as the extended version on ABC, followed by a year run on premium cable channels, CBS acquires the rights to and airs the theatrical version of SUPERMAN II on Thanksgiving night from 8:30-11pm.
This is the first time the theatrical version airs on network TV in the U.S.
Language is altered for network standards, a few scenes are trimmed, and the opening credits and accompanying music are shortened to allow the film to run in the time allotted.
This showing was basically the 1989 digitally processed home video release print.

VIDEO: CBS Special Movie intro and teaser, edited opening credits, and bumpers.

-1990-

January 1990

January 1990– Stuntman John Lees is awarded $422,000 after suffering an injury while doubling for Nuclear Man 2 actor Mark Pillow in SUPERMAN IV.

February 1990

February 4, 1990– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WFXT.

February 21, 1990– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WIII as part of a five day “Men of Steel” marathon, featuring the films AMERICAN NINJA (Feb. 19), AN EYE FOR AN EYE (Feb. 20), 10 TO MIDNIGHT (Feb. 22), and THE TERMINATOR (Feb. 23). This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

April 1990

April 25, 1990– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WFLX. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 1990

May 3, 1990– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WXIN. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 10, 1990– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WJZY. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 5, 1990– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on KMSP. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 5, 1990– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WZTV. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 11, 1990– The international version of SUPERMAN IV airs on WNUV. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 14, 1990– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WPIX. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 16, 1990– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WPIX. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 16, 1990- THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN II air on WIII. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 17, 1990– The international version of SUPERMAN IV airs on WPIX. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 17, 1990– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on KTLA. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 18, 1990– The international version of SUPERMAN IV airs on KTLA, WTVZ, and WGNX. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 20, 1990– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KOKH. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 20, 1990– The international version of SUPERMAN IV airs on KTLA, WTVZ, and WGNX. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 20, 1990– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KTXA. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 22, 1990– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on KTXA. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 22, 1990– The international version of SUPERMAN IV airs on WFXT and KBHK. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 23, 1990– The international version of SUPERMAN IV airs on WTXX, WJZY, KHNL, KPLR, KDKY, and KDSM. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 28, 1990– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on TBS. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

July 1990

July 3, 1990– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on KTLA. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

July 22, 1990– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KDSM. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

July 27, 1990– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WPMT. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

August 1990

August 8, 1990– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE is released on laserdisc in widescreen and newly digitally processed. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

October 1990

October 15, 1990– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN II airs on WXIX. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 1990

November 4, 1990– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KDKH. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 4, 1990– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN II airs on KPLR. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 6, 1990– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KTXA. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 6, 1990– The extended tv version of SUPERMAN III airs on WSTR. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 7, 1990– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN II airs on KTXA. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 8, 1990– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on KTXA. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 9, 1990– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN II airs on WGN. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 10, 1990– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WGN. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 16, 1990– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN II airs on WLVI. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 18, 1990– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN II airs on WLVI. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 18 and 19, 1990– The 2 part extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WGNX. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 18, 1990– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN II airs on WGNX. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 25, 1990– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN II airs on WFTS. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 26, 1990– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN II airs on KCOP. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

-1991-

February 1991

February 10, 1991– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on KPLR. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 1991

May 3, 1991– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WDZL. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 10, 1991– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on KTLA. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 11, 1991– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN II airs on KTXL. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 15, 1991– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WPIX. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 19, 1991– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WSTR. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

July 1991

July 14, 1991– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN II airs on KPLR. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

September 1991

September 27, 1991– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on KMSP. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

–1992–

January 1992

January 18, 1992– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on TBS. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 1992

February 28, 1992– The international version of SUPERMAN IV airs on WTTK. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 29, 1992– The international version of SUPERMAN IV airs on WKCF. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

April 1992

April 22, 1992– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN II airs on WPIX. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

April 26, 1992– The international version of SUPERMAN IV airs on KTLA. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

April 27, 1992– The international version of SUPERMAN IV airs on KPHL. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 1992

May 10, 1992– The international version of SUPERMAN IV airs on WTTK. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

July 1992

July 12, 1992– The international version of SUPERMAN IV airs on KPLR. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 1992

November 23, 1992– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WUAB. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 24, 1992– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WXTX. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

December 1992

December 31, 1992– The international version of SUPERMAN IV airs on WTBS. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

-1993-

January 7, 1992– The international version of SUPERMAN IV airs on WGN. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 1993

February 8, 1993– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on KFLX. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

March 1993

March 27– The TNT network airs the HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU, WARNER BROS. documentary on the history of the studio featuring clips from SUPERMAN THE MOVIE.

May 1993

May 24, 1993– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN II airs on WPIX. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 26, 1993– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WPIX. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

July 1993

July 5, 1993– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on TBS. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

July 19, 1993– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN II airs on KCOP. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

August 1993

August 22, 1993– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN II airs on KPTV. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 1993

November 14, 1993- The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WFTS. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

December 1993

December 24, 1993– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on the USA Network. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

-1994-

May 1994

May 4, 1994– The international version of SUPERMAN IV airs on WGN. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 5 1994– The international version of SUPERGIRL airs on WGN. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 1994

November 6, 1994– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KCOP. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 20, 1994– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on KPDX. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

-1995-

February 1995

February 25, 1995– The international version of SUPERMAN IV airs on WKCF. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

February 26, 1995– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II, the extended TV version of SUPERMAN III, and the international version of SUPERMAN IV air in syndication in a same day, back to back marathon on the independent station WSTR in Ohio, U.S.
As far as I can trace, this is the only time where all four films were shown in a same day, back to back airing. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 1995

November 25, 1995– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE, the extended TV version of SUPERMAN III, and the international version of SUPERMAN IV air on WXTX. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

-1996-

April 1996

April 26, 1996– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KBHK. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 1998

May 10, 1998– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WSTR. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

September 1996

September 10, 1996– The theatrical versions of SUPERMAN II and SUPERMAN III are released in widescreen on laserdisc with their respective theatrical trailers presented after the movie as a special feature. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 1996

November 24, 1996– The international version of SUPERMAN IV airs on KPLR. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

-2001-

March 2001

March 2001– The Alamo Draft House theater premieres the Expanded Version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN THE MOVIE 2001 Expanded Version theatrical trailer.

April 2001

April 21, 2001– Turner Classic Movies airs the theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE in widescreen with remastered video and featuring a newly produced sound mix. This theatrical version with the new mix and  the original theatrical sound would not be released on home video until November 28, 2006. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

May 2001

May 1, 2001– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE is released on DVD with 8 minutes of director approved added footage, a newly created sound mix, and numerous special features, including three new documentaries, deleted scenes, screen tests, unused music cues, and an audio commentary by Director Richard Donner and Creative Consultant Tom Mankiewicz. Widescreen editions of SUPERMAN II – IV containing the theatrical trailers as a special feature are also released on DVD. This marks the first time the fourth film has been available in widescreen on home video in the U.S. The four films are also sold separately and in a box set in full frame on VHS, with SUPERMAN THE MOVIE containing the theatrical trailer before the movie and the Margot Kidder and Christopher Reeve screen tests at the end.

-2002-

February 2002

February 18, 2002– Director Richard Donner is honored with the Joseph L. Mankiewicz Excellence in Film Award at the third annual Director’s View Film Festival in Stamford, Connecticut.
Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder host a special retrospective screening of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE.

June 2002

June 2002– Pueblo Films Licensing Ltd. successfully sues Warner Bros. for use of behind the scenes footage from SUPERMAN THE MOVIE in the 2001 DVD release, and for unlicensed use of SUPERMAN III.

-2003-

August 16, 2003– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on YTV (Canada). This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

-2006-

November 2006

November 28, 2006– Warner Home Video releases all four Christopher Reeve Superman films as stand alone or in various box set styles with a myriad of supplements.
SUPERMAN RETURNS for the first time on DVD.
SUPERMAN THE MOVIE Theatrical Version with the original theatrical sound for the first time on DVD.
Superman II, SUPERMAN III, and SUPERMAN IV are loaded with tons of extras, including deleted scenes, new documentaries, new audio commentaries, the Fleischer cartoons and much more.
The highlight of the release was SUPERMAN II THE RICHARD DONNER CUT.
What you may not know is that some of the DVDs had technical problems.
On the Superman the Ultimate Collection box set (remember the tin packaging?) the SUPERMAN THE MOVIE Theatrical Version DVD proved to not contain the original theatrical sound mix, and even though the disc art was for the newer release, the SUPERMAN III disc content was the barebones 2001 release. Warner took responsibility, and if you mailed the discs to them they would send you the correct ones back, at their expense.

-2008-

September 2008

September 23-25, 2008– PBS airs YOU MUST REMEMBER THIS: THE WARNER BROS. STORY, featuring cast and crew interviews from SUPERMAN THE MOVIE.

VIDEO: YOU MUST REMEMBER THIS: THE WARNER BROS. STORY segment.

December 2008

December 14, 2008– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on TV Land. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

-2018-

July 2018

July 24, 2018– Warner Archive releases the 124 minutes International Version of SUPERGIRL on blu-ray featuring an audio commentary with Scott Michael Bosco and Director Jeannot Szwarc, a theatrical trailer, and the 1985 documentary SUPERGIRL: THE MAKING OF THE MOVIE. The double disc also contains the 138 minutes Director’s Cut/TV Version on DVD.

-2021-

July 2021

July 13, 2021– Mondo releases the SUPERMAN THE MOVIE soundtrack on vinyl featuring all new artwork by DKNG, Produced by, and featuring extensive liner notes by Michael Matessino, and pressed on 2x 180 gram splatter vinyl, limited to 1,978 copies. The album is also made available on 2x 180 gram black vinyl.

–2022–

November 2022

November 3, 2022– Warner Bros. announces the release of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE, SUPERMAN II, SUPERMAN II THE RICHARD DONNER CUT, SUPERMAN III, and SUPERMAN IV THE QUEST FOR PEACE in 4K in early 2023.

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES…