THE DONNER ERA AND BEYOND
THIS GROWING TIMELINE WAS COMPILED AND RESEARCHED BY 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, James Michael Avalos, Phineasbg, Kyle Northup, Rick Lanier.
1974-1979
1980-1984
1985-1989
1990-2023
NEXT>
–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
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.
