SUPERMAN MOVIES VIDEO TIMELINE

-1977-

February 1977

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

SUPERMAN II- Christopher Reeve screen test footage February 1, 1977. Shepperton Studios

March 1977

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.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- First day of principal photography.
March 28, 1977. Shepperton Studios.

April 1977

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

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Susan Blakely screen test.
April 2, 1977. Shepperton Studios.

March 29 – April 10, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Jor-El laboratory sequences for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE on C Stage at Shepperton Studios.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Filming Jor-El's laboratory.
April 1977. C Stage, Pinewood Studios.

April 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Krypton Council scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE on C Stage at Shepperton Studios.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Filming the Krypton Council.
April 1977. C Stage, Pinewood Studios.

April 11 and 12, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the trial of the villains for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II on B Stage at Shepperton Studios.

May 1977

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

SUPERMAN II-
Filming the Fortress of Solitude interior.
May 1977. H Stage, Shepperton Studios.

June 1977

June 1977– Filming the Daily Planet office scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II on E Stage at Pinewood Studios.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Filming the Daily Planet.
June 1977. E Stage, Pinewood Studios.

June 20 – July 13, 1977Filming the White House scenes for SUPERMAN II under Richard Donner’s direction on M Stage at Pinewood Studios.

SUPERMAN II- Filming the White House Sequences. Late June - Mid July, 1977. M Stage, Pinewood Studios. Director- Richard Donner

July 1977

July 1977– Director Richard Donner films the New York locations for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Filming in New York.
July 1977.

August 1977

August 2, 1977Director Richard Donner films the first missile hijacking sequence for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE in Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada.

August 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Smallville scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE in Alberta, Canada.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Filming the Smallville scenes.
August 1977. Alberta, Canada.

September 1977

September 1977– Filming the Lex Luthor’s lair sequences for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE on D Stage at Pinewood Studios.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Filming Lex Luthor's lair.
September 1977. D Stage, Pinewood Studios.

October 1977

October 21, 1977Director 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 on L Stage at Pinewood Studios.

SUPERMAN II- Filming the Phantom Zone.
October 21, 1977. L Stage, Pinewood Studios.

October 28, 1977– The SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II crew under Richard Donner’s direction has the official wrap party at Pinewood Studios.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Production wrap party.
October 28, 1978. Pinewood Studios.

-1978-

January 1978

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

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- U.S. theatrical teaser trailer.
January 1978.

December 1978

December 15, 1978- SUPERMAN THE MOVIE opens theatrically in North America and England.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE -U.S. theatrical trailer. 1978

-1979-

January 1979

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

SUPERMAN THE OVIE- German theatrical trailer. January 26, 1979.

February 1979

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.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Mork and Mindy segment. Season 1, Episode 19.
February 15, 1979.

September 1979

September 1979– Director Richard Lester films the Niagara Falls location scenes for SUPERMAN II.

SUPERMAN II- Filming at Niagara Falls. September 1979.

November 1979

November 1979– Director Richard Lester films the SUPERMAN II Metropolis street battle scenes on the Pinewood Studios backlot.

SUPERMAN II- Filming the Metropolis street battle.
November 1979. Pinewood Studios backlot.

-1980-

December 1980

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

SUPERMAN II- French theatrical trailer.
1980.

-1981-

May/June 1981

May 31/June 1, 1981– SUPERMAN II has its Washington D.C. and New York premieres.

SUPERMAN II- Washington D.C. and New York premieres.
May 31 and June 1,1981

June 19, 1981– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Canada and the U.S.

SUPERMAN II- U.S. Theatrical trailer 1981

December 1981

December 17, 1981– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II are re-released theatrically in England as a double feature for a limited holiday run.

SUPERMAN II- Theatrical TV spot (UK).
December 1981.

-1982-

February 1982

February 1-7, 1982- ABC promotes their premiere of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with TV and radio spots.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- ABC ads. February 7, 1982.
SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- ABC network premiere radio spots.
Sunday and Monday, February 7 and 8, 1982.

February 7, 1982– ABC airs part 1 of the TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE from 8-10pm for the first of four showings on the network.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- ABC Intro, bumpers and night 2 preview.
February 7, 1982.

February 8, 1982– ABC airs part 2 of the TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE from 8-10pm for the first of four showings on the network.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- ABC night 2 intro and night 1 recap.
February 8, 1982.

June 1982

June 25, 1982– Filming the junkyard sequences for SUPERMAN III on the Pinewood Studios backlot.

SUPERMAN III- Junkyard filming. June 1982.
Pinewood Studios backlot.

July 1982

July 23, 1982– Director Richard Lester films the coal mine sequences for SUPERMAN III at Battersea Power Station in London, England.

August 1982

August 19, 1982– Director Richard Lester films the Smallville celebration scenes in High River, Alberta, Canada.

SUPERMAN III- Smallville celebration filming.
August 19, 1982. High River, Alberta, Canada.

August 22-27, 1982– Director Richard Lester films the Metropolis street location scenes for SUPERMAN III in Calgary, Canada.

SUPERMAN III- Filming the streets of Metropolis.
August 24-27, 1982. Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

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

SUPERMAN III- Ski stunt filming.
August 27, 1982. Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

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.

SUPERMAN III-
August 29-31, 1982. Blackie, Alberta, Canada.
Caped Wonder Stuns City!

September 1982

Early September 1982– Director Richard Lester films the chemical plant fire location scenes for SUPERMAN III in Alberta, Canada.

SUPERMAN III PODCAST CHEMICAL PLANT FIRE-
Early September 1982. Alberta, Canada.
Caped Wonder Stuns City!

November 1982

November 14, 1982– ABC air the TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE from 8-11:40pm for the second of four showings on the network.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- ABC intro and bumpers. November 14, 1982.

-1983-

January 1983

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

SUPERMAN II- HBO TV spot.
December 31, 1982.

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

SUPERMAN II- Showtime TV spot. 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.

SUPERMAN II- The Movie Channel Superman Adventure Sweepstakes TV spot.
January 1983.

June 1983

June 12, 1983– SUPERMAN III has its Washington D.C. premiere.

SUPERMAN III- Washington D.C. premiere. June 12, 1983. Washington D.C., U.S.

June 17, 1983– SUPERMAN III opens theatrically in North America.

SUPERMAN III- U.S. theatrical trailer. 1983.

August 1983

August 19, 1983– SUPERMAN III opens theatrically in Italy.

SUPERMAN III- Italian theatrical trailer.
1983.

-1984-

January 1984

January 1, 1984– The Nickelodeon show “Stand By… Lights! Camera! Action!” features a segment on the making of SUPERMAN III.

SUPERMAN III- Stand By... Lights! Camera! Action! featurette. January 1, 1984.

February 1984

February 20, 1984– ABC airs the TV version of SUPERMAN II for its first of three showings on the network.

SUPERMAN II- ABC intro and teaser. February 20, 1984.

July 1984

July 19, 1984- SUPERGIRL opens theatrically in England.

SUPERGIRL- UK theatrical trailer.
July 19, 1984.

August 9, 1984– SUPERGIRL opens theatrically in Australia.

SUPERGIRL- International theatrical trailer

November 1984

November 21, 1984– SUPERGIRL opens theatrically in the U.S.

SUPERGIRL- U.S. theatrical trailer.
November 21, 1984.

December 1984

December 23, 1984– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on ABC in its third of four showings on the network.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- ABC intro and teaser. December 23, 1984.

-1985-

March 1985

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

SUPERGIRL- German theatrical trailer.
March 22, 1985.

November 1985

November 16, 1985– The U.S. theatrical version of SUPERGIRL premieres on the HBO premium cable channel.

SUPERGIRL- HBO TV spot.
November 1985.
Caped Wonder Stuns City!

December 1985

December 29, 1985– ABC airs SUPERGIRL: THE MAKING OF THE MOVIE at 7pm, followed by the TV version SUPERMAN II at 8pm for the second of three screenings on the network.

SUPERMAN II- ABC TV spots. December 29, 1985.

-1986-

April 1986

April 20, 1986- ABC airs the TV version of SUPERMAN III for its first of three showings on the network.

SUPERMAN III- ABC premiere TV spots and intro.
April 20, 1986.

July 1986

July 7, 1986– Christopher Reeve interviews on Entertainment Tonight from the STREET SMART location in Toronto, Canada.

SUPERMAN IV-
Entertainment Tonight.
July 7, 1986.

December 1986

December 2, 1986– Entertainment Tonight features a segment on the making of SUPERMAN IV.

SUPERMAN IV- Entertainment Tonight segment. December 2, 1986.

-1987-

January 1987

January 1987– Christopher Reeve interviews on The Movie Channel to promote the airing of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE throughout the month.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- The Movie Channel exclusive interview with Christopher Reeve. January 1987.

January 19, 1987– The Movie Channel airs SUPERMAN THE MOVIE as part of its “Enforcers Week” marathon.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- The Movie Channel Enforcers Week Marathon TV spot. January 19, 1987.

July 1987

July 17, 1987– Christopher Reeve interviews on Entertainment Tonight.

SUPERMAN IV-.Entertainment Tonight.
July 17, 1987.

July 24, 1987– SUPERMAN IV opens theatrically.

SUPERMAN IV- U.S. theatrical trailer. 1987.

August 1987

August 4, 1987– Margot Kidder appears as a last minute guest on The Late Show With David Letterman.

SUPERMAN IV- Margot Kidder on The Late Show With David Letterman.
August 4, 1987, 12:30-1:30am. NBC.

-1988-

April 1988

April 3, 1988– ABC airs for the last time the extended TV version of SUPERMAN II.

SUPERMAN II ABC intro.
April 3, 1988.

December 1988

December 31, 1988- ABC airs the TV version of SUPERMAN III for the third and final time on the network.

SUPERMAN III- ABC teaser. December 31, 1988.

-1989-

November 1989

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 would mark the premiere of the theatrical version on network TV.

SUPERMAN II- CBS intro and teaser.
November 23, 1989.

-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 II- The Christopher Reeve Superman DVD Collection Warner Home Video ad. 2006.

-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.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros Story PBS TV special segment.
September 23-25, 2008.