SUPERMAN III MOVIE MINUTE #11 - Heavy Traffic
Fire and Water Network All-Stars Chris Franklin and Rob Kelly are back with SUPERMAN III MOVIE MINUTE, where they analyze, scrutinize, and you'll-believe-a-man-can-fly-ize the Man of Steel's third big screen adventure starring Christopher Reeve, Richard Pryor, Annette O'Toole, and Robert Vaughn, five minutes at a time!
In minutes 50:00-55:00, Gus causes worldwide chaos, and Ross Webster gets an idea.
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Opening theme and closing theme by John Williams.
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Chris & Rob, as usual I’m enjoying every 5 minute chunk of SUPERMAN III Movie Minute.
Except… In Re: silly scenes not belonging in “this kind of movie”
Like another Michael we all know I won’t bother arguing taste. But you guys need to look back to the era the Superman movies were made and realize that “this kind of movie” isn’t part of the SUPERHERO MOVIE genre you’re comparing it to That genre simply doesn’t exist in 1983. The genre SUPERMAN III belongs to is the family adventure film. (As opposed to the adult action film in the Norris/Bronson/Stallone tradition)
The nearest thing at the time to what the Salkinds were doing was the Roger Moore James Bond movies. All of these were serious adventure stories with very silly and often slapstick moments made for the whole family.
Surely (I know “Don’t call you Shirley”) the appearance of Sheriff J.W. Pepper in LIVE & LET DIE and THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN as well as SUPERMAN II is a clear indication the “the kind of movie” the Salkinds were aiming for?
If you think that’s comparing apples and oranges then by all means watch the color episodes of the 1950’s ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN TV series. Almost every episode is full of some adventure and some comedy…mostly of the silly variety.
Heck, even the Superman comics of the ’70s & early ’80s were chock full of silly hijinks featuring such goofy concepts as Terra Man the Space Cowboy, Cap’n Strong, a Popeye analog who eats alien spinach and oh-so many slapstick gags featuring Steve Lombard!
But unlike the earlier TV series and the contemporary comics, which were both aimed squarely at little kids, the Superman films of the same period were made to appeal to Moms, Dads, Teens and Kids. So, just like the Bond films, you get some sex appeal and some slapstick and lots of high adventure all rolled into one crowd pleasing cinematic experience.
Despite my (hopefully) constructive criticism I look forward to every new episode of this excellent podcast.
“Groovy” Mike Decker
R.I.P. Richard Donner. This is a tough one, and I’m sure Rob & Chris are devastated by the news. Donner was truly one of the greats. His output in the 70s and 80s will make him immortal to lovers of film. He was one of the greats.
If Richard Donner never directed anything else (and he directed LOTS) he deserves a seat on Mount Olympus for directing one of the greatest episodes of THE TWILIGHT ZONE (Nightmare at 20,000 Feet) and my favorite movie of all time…SUPERMAN! God bless you, Mr. Donner. You truly made us believe a man could fly.
“Groovy” Mike Decker
Rob and Chris, my condolences to you both on the passing of Dick Donner. I know his friendship meant a lot to you personally, and we all enjoyed his work and the time he spent talking to the two of you. Thank you both for generously sharing him with us.
First off, let me join those who have already commented in expressing my condolences on the passing of Richard Donner. Truly one of the greats.
I was amused to hear you speak of Sandra Dickinson’s role in this movie without reference to her tremendous geek cred as the television version of Trillian from the 1981 “Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy” mini-series and also wife (at least at one point in time) to 5th Doctor Peter Davison (who she had worked with several years earlier in an admittedly forgettable serial of The “Tomorrow People,” and who himself had a memorable, if nigh unrecognizable, cameo in “Hitchhikers’ Guide”). While you were correct to note that Dickinson is an American, as you can see, she’s done quite a bit of work in the UK, so her showing up in Superman III alongside so many British actors is perhaps less of a surprise than one might expect.