Superman Movie Minute #1 – June 1938

SUPERMAN MOVIE MINUTE - Episode 1

Fire and Water Network All-Stars Chris Franklin and Rob Kelly bring you SUPERMAN MOVIE MINUTE, where they analyze, scrutinize, and you'll-believe-a-man-can-fly-ize the classic 1978 film starring Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder, and Marlon Brando, five minutes at a time!

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25 responses to “Superman Movie Minute #1 – June 1938

  1. Wow!! What a great first episode! I’ve enjoyed your prologues, but this is where the rubber meets the road. While I enjoy the film, I know nothing beyond what we see on the screen. Really enjoyed all the behind the scenes information! Fascinating!! Looking forward to more!!

  2. I could be wrong, but I think the announcer in your closing clip is none other than Danny Dark, the voice of Superman on all seasons of the Super Friends/Super Powers!!! His “announcer” voice is a bit different than his “Superman” voice.

    Chris

  3. Thanks guys for an enjoyable first five minutes review!
    I agree with so many of your comments–this has always been my fave Williams score and yes, how cool would it be to chat with Richard Donner! His commentary is the. I’ve heard hands down. I look forward to more of your minutes — thanks again and keep up the great work!
    — Mark fron Maine

  4. Guys, freaking fantastic! Love that you’re doing these.

    I remember the Salkind Clause was a divisive topic in my early film classes. The jerks applauded the Salkinds for, and I quite, “discovering a creative way to get around paying more money for a second project.”

    Those of us with souls thought it was one of the most underhanded moves in the world and should have resulted in their exile to the Phantom Zone.

    Good work turning the credits into a good segment. Let’s hear more about Miss Tessmacher.

    1. I’m so glad you backed up my recollection of the “Salkind Clause” David, because as soon as I said it, my confidence in its existence evaporated. I had read about it YEARS ago, and I can’t even remember the source.

      I give the Salkinds credit for getting the ball rolling…but yeah, the “two movies in one” bit is… shady.

      Chris

  5. Wow! Leave it to Rob and Chris to make the opening credits of a movie sound so interesting. It wasn’t until I listened to your commentary that I realized how long it’s been since I last watched Superman all the way through. So, I’m doubly looking forward to this podcast.

    1. According to “The Warner Bros. Story” a big old 1979 coffee table book by Clive Hirschorn:

      Robert Redford was the Salkinds’ first choice to play Superman, but he declined after failing to agree on money. Then Paul Newman was offered the role and when he turned it down they asked if he would play Luthor.

      Hackman was paid $2 million and Brando got $3 million for 13 days work: $27,000 per hr for a 9 hr shooting day.

      The book goes on to say that among those either considered for Superman: Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Ryan O’Neal, Burt Reynolds, David Soul, Robert Wagner, Kris Kristofferson, Sylvester Stallone, & Jan-Michael Vincent.

      Those initially considered for Lois: Jill Clayburgh, Jessica Lange, Liza Minnelli, Shirley Mac Claine, Natalie Wood, & Carrie Fisher.

      The book concludes by saying that as of 1980, Superman was the most profitable film in WB history.

      For myself, I totally agree with your comments on John Williams’ score. I was glad to hear it and see those credits used again in Superman Returns.

      Finally, you guys may want to check out the 2008 book “Superman vs. Hollywood” :
      https://www.amazon.com/Superman-vs-Hollywood-Producers-Directors/dp/1556527314/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506391505&sr=8-1&keywords=superman+vs+hollywood

      It has a large focus on the Salkinds that may prove fodder for upcoming episodes.

      1. I think it would be fun to discuss the screen tests you see with Reeve and the other Lois’ on the DVD/Blu-Ray sets. Some of them are really interesting, and most went on to be famous in their own right. Plus you get really skinny, sweaty Christopher Reeve in a makeshift Superman suit. But even then…he’s got it!

        Chris

  6. I’m not all the way through this episode, but I’m enjoying it. I think your tagline should be “You’ll believe 2 men can podcast”. Excited for future episodes!

  7. I can’t wait to hear this show. I’ve been waiting!

    Who do you think is in the second rocket? Kara (as it would be since the Loeb reboot)? Beppo? Krypto?

    Perhaps Trevor Howard’s part can be called a ‘Brief Encounter’? He’ll always be Calloway from The Third Man for me. And since he was in The Third Man, he should get top billing in my book.

    Thanks again for a great show!

    1. That got my blood pumping in the theater. Unfortunately I think Singer got lost in the weeds of his love for Donner’s film. And since they used the Williams theme there, it’s now “radioactive” for use in the current DC films, which sucks.

      Chris

  8. Guys guys! This was a great show and a super idea for a podcast! Hearing the score for the opening reminds me so much how much I loved this movie as a child. This movie was so much part of my childhood (Star Wars, Superman, Tron in that order) . I saw this in the theater on a Saturday morning when a kid from school invited all the boys in his class to his birthday party. They rented the whole theater for this movie and I watched it. I had never seen the poster trailer or anything before. My jaw was down the entire time. Then as the movie ended all the boys in the audience got a Corgi Daily Planet News truck. Getting a toy from the movie immediately after watching it- whoah. It was amazing.

    Keep it up with podcast I will listen to it all. You should also mention that the tv version of Superman will come out some from Warner Bros archives. (Bailey gave out this tip)

    -lucien

    1. Great story Lucien! I had that Corgi Daily Planet truck. As a kid it disturbed me that there is a picture on the side of the truck with Clark doing a shirt-rip. He just blew his secret ID!!!

      With the extended cut, we’ve just got more bonus material to cover toward the end of the show’s run. The Blu-Ray is on preorder for the Franklin household. It comes out next week!

      chris

      1. Chris, I thought the same thing as a kid. Why would they reveal Superman’s identity on the truck?

        Around that same time my dad got me a 1979 Corgi Supermobile. Which I couldn’t understand why he needed a ship to fly and to have super punching power. I also remember it didn’t work on my hotwheels track.

        The extended is 1:33:1 HD transfer at 188 minutes. I didn’t know I could pre-order it–done! Thank you Chris.

        1. I think I saw the Supermobile on Super Friends before getting the Corgi Junior. So I saw that Superman used it when he was weakened, etc. I loved that thing. I have one today, although my original is long gone…

    1. That’s great…BUT LEAVE IT FOR A SURPRISE!!! I asked for this, and I’m guessing it’s when Superman shows up, back from the dead to save the day, but I would have rather been gobsmacked in the theater by it. Just like I was for the Marvel intro in Spider-Man: Homecoming with it’s fan-service music.

      Chris

        1. That wasn’t aimed at you at all Chuck. I had read about it earlier that day from an interview with Danny Elfman. I just wish HE’D kept quiet about it.

          I’ve since gotten in trouble from Cindy and Andrew for spoiling it for them….

          Chris

  9. Hey guys- What a great first episode! I can’t wait for more. The highlight for me was actually learning that there was someone else in the 28 known galaxies that also saw Superman’s shield reversed! Like Chris, I saw the “two fish” during my youngest years. It wasn’t until I was holding the Super Powers action figure in my 7-year old hand (freshly purchased from Toys “R” Us) that I saw the “S” and proudly exclaimed to my entire family in the car, “Superman has an S on his chest!!” Needless to say, I got a lot of teasing for not having realized that from the start. Oh well… maybe Chris and I can start a support group.

    My quick thoughts on the first 5… I absolutely love that the movie pays homage to the past with the nostalgic comic (yes, the cover bothers me too!) and old Daily Planet, but then quickly moves to the amazing credits. What a great way for Donner to please new and old fans alike.

    Looking forward to more… Thank you both!

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