PRODUCTION TIMELINE

THIS GROWING BY THE DAY TIMELINE WAS COMPILED AND RESEARCHED BY CHRISTOPHER REEVE SUPERMAN FILMS HISTORIAN ALEXANDER SERPA. ANY OPINIONS PRESENTED HERE WILL BE LABELED AS SUCH. “RUMORS” FROM THE PRODUCTION WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED AND LABELED AS SUCH.

THE SOURCES FOR THESE ENTRIES VARY FROM OVER 380 CALL SHEETS FROM SUPERGIRL AND ALL FOUR SUPERMAN FILMS, MORE THAN 60 PRODUCTION NOTES, DATED STORYBOARDS, OFFICE MEMOS, A NOTED SCRIPT, 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. IF IT’S ON THIS PAGE, IT CAN BE VERIFIED. 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.

–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 $5000,000.

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.

–1976–

January 1976

*January 1976– Production begins 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”.

May 1976

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

June/July 1976

June/July 1977– Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman sign on to play Jor-El and Lex Luthor.

October 1976

*October 1976– Due to 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 shits from Cinecitta to the Pinewood and Shepperton studios.

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

November 1976

*November 1976– Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz sign on to direct and rewrite SUPERMAN and SUPERMAN II. Donner hires John Barry as Production Designer.

December 1976

December 1976– March 1977 start date is announced.

–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 17, 1977– Six days before the official announcement, columnist Liz Smith breaks the news that Christopher Reeve will play Superman and Clark Kent. This site was the first time this information has 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 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 28, 1977– Principal photography begins with the filming of Marlon Brando’s head and his dialogue for the post death of Jor-El sequences.

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

March 29 – April 10, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Jor-El laboratory sequences 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 with Marlon Brando as Jor-El, Trevord 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 – 10, 1977– Director Richard Donner films 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.

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 the 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.
A stunt performer is hurt when a set piece fails to disappear on cue.

April 10, 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 interiors for SUPERMAN 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 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.

Mid May 1977– 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 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.

May 23-28, 1977– Director Richard Donner films around the Perry White scenes of the villains at 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, 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.

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– The production is now almost two weeks behind schedule.

June 1977– Public and private arguments between Director Richard Donner and Producers Pierre Spengler and Ilya Salkind become evident on the set to all in the production. Both producers stop visiting the set. The producers threaten to fire Donner. “I got along with the Salkinds all right, but I didn’t get on with Pierre Spengler”, Donner said in Starlog, “I told him to his face that the film was too big for him but he wouldn’t face up to the responsibility. It had nothing to do with the film itself, it was in the making of the film—the knowledge to pull it off.”

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

June 1977– Construction on the Fortress of Solitude exteriors 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 of 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.

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.

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

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” title.

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.

June 20 – 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.

July 1977

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 review of the film saying it was “a movie that is pure escape and good, clean, unadulterated fun” 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. The alley scenes would be filmed at a later time at Pinewood Studios.
Also filmed this day was the introduction of Ned Beatty as Otis and detectives following in the streets from the corner of West Broadway and Pike St to Grand Central Station.

July 9, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Otis walk through to Lex Luthor’s lair for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Ned Beatty as Otis, Ray Hassett as Officer 1/Harry, Steve Kahan as Office 2/Armus, Matt Russo as the Newsvendor and Randy Jurgenson as Officer 3 at Grand Central Station and underground at unused Track 41.
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 blu-ray 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.
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.
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.

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, including a scene where a military officer brings out a barking German Shepard and Non’s loud growling scares it away with Terence Stamp as General Zod, Jack O’Halloran as Non, and Sarah Douglas as Ursa on M Stage at Pinewood Studios.
This 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. The scene was intended to end the White House destruction sequence and go into the Oval Office door coming down, but the TV version places it before Ursa kicks the guards.

July 14, 1977– The second unit films the boat and robbers deposited on Wall Street for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE.
The yacht Serenideee, booked out of New Jersey, was brought in through the George Washington Bridge.

July 14 and 15, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the bank robbers car chase 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 writer Mario Puzo visits the location.

July 18, 1977– Christopher Reeve dons the outfit for the iconic wharf photo shoot in Brooklyn, New York, done by still photographer Bob Penn.
This 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.

Late July 1977– Director Richard Donner films 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.

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.

August 1977

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

August 1, 1977– TIME magazine features an article on the filming of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE.

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.

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 to halt all production on 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 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, and a model and two matte units at Pinewood Studios, plus one unit in Canada and one in New York.

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 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 burtisng 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 films the map room scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Christopher Reeve as Superman, Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, and Ned Beatty as Otis on D Stage at Pinewood Studios.

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.

September 26, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Lex and Miss Teschmacher outside the Fortress of Solitude scenes for SUPERMAN II with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor and Valerie Perrine as Miss Teschmacher on the 007 Stage at Pinewood Studios.
In a bit of frustration at the length of time setting up while costumed in furs under the hot lights, 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 exteriors 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.
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 when the extended version of the film first aired on network TV on February 17, 1984, in Canada. SUPERMAN II THE THE RICHARD DONNER CUT also featured some of these deleted sequences with takes that differed from the TV version added footage.

-1978-

January 1978

January 1978– Filming the on the ground portions of the cat in the tree rescue for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with Christopher Reve as Superman and Jayne Tottman as the Little Girl on the Pinewood Studios lot with the administration buildings dressed as New York brownstones.

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

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.

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.

March 1978

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

March 22, 1978– The special FX team films flying tests FOR SUPERMAN THE MOVIE on the Hoover Dam full scale section 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.

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.

June 1978

June 1978– Director Richard Donner films the roadside earthquake sequences for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE 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 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 in February on C Stage at Pinewood Studios, so to match continuity the production brought an abundance of the dirt used in England 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 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

December 1978

December 15, 1978– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE opens theatrically in the U.S.

-1979-

January 1979

January 3, 1979– Four ads from the SUPERMAN THE MOVIE production appear in Variety.

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

VIDEO: German theatrical trailer.

February 1979

February 24, 1979– The 6th annual Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films awards ceremony are held in Los Angeles. The event would be filmed and aired on syndicated stations in May 1979. SUPERMAN THE MOVIE is nominated for numerous awards.
Wins-
Best Science Fiction Film
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 completion of SUPERMAN II.

March 22, 1979– The 32nd British Academy Film Awards (BAFA) 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
OTHER 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

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 and make up tests as well as rehearsals before filming would commence on Monday, August 27.

-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. At least two versions of the scene would be filmed by Lester, with a take not used in the theatrical version being used for SUPERMAN II THE RICHARD DONNER CUT.

February 1980

February 7, 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 in order to fit the movie on one videocassette.

February 7, 1980– CBS airs THE MUPPET SHOW featuring Christopher Reeve as a guest.
The show had been filmed two weeks earlier from January 22-25 at Elstree Studios during SUPERMAN II’s production under Richard Lester’s direction.

February 22, 1980– Director Richard Lester films Christopher Reeve as Superman flying the American Flag, Superman talking to Zod on the rooftop and the take off and Superman flying down to the tanker truck for SUPERMAN II on A Stage at Pinewood Studios.

March 1980

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

June 1980

June 27, 1980– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE begins a limited theatrical rerelease across the U.S. a week before Independence Day Weekend in order to steal some of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK’s box office. This is not a wide release, and some theaters play it as a matinee, or only on weekends, or late shows, etc.

October 1980

October 1980– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE  premieres on premium cable channels in the U.S.
This would mark the first time the full theatrical version would be seen in home media, considering 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 videocassette length limitations of the time).

December 1980

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

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

VIDEO: French theatrical trailer.

December 11 and 19 (Seville), 1980– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Spain.

December 25, 1980– SUPERMAN II opens in Argentina.

–1981–

January 1981

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

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.

June 5, 1981– The SUPERMAN II Original Soundtrack is released in North America.

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.

VIDEO: U.S. theatrical trailer

June 21, 1981– SUPERMAN II records the highest grossing opening weekend in motion picture history.

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

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 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.

February 1982

February 7, 1982– ABC airs in two parts on consecutive nights part 1 of 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.

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.

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.

March 1982

March 1982– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Turkey.

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

June 1982

June 21, 1982– SUPERMAN III begins principal photography under Director Richard Lester. One of the earlies sequences shot is the junkyard fight.

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 first day of filming in Canada for SUPERMAN III. Director Richard Lester films Stunt Performer Greg Elam as Gus Gorman falling down the side of the building wearing skis and a tablecloth cape. Richard Pryor would later in the day perform the final act of the sequence filming his scenes street level a few blocks away.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN III ski stunt behind the scenes footage.

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.

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 Singer as the Mayor, and Annie Ross as Vera Webster in High River, Alberta, Canada.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN III Smallville celebration behind the scenes footage.

VIDEO:

December 1982

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

-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.

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

January 1, 1983– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN II premieres on numerous premium cable channels in the U.S.

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.

April 1983

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

June 1983

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

VIDEO: Washington D.C. premiere footage.

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

VIDEO: U.S. theatrical trailer.

July 1983

July 18, 1983– SUPERMAN III has its London Royal Premiere at the ABC Shaftesbury Avenue. 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 Alexander and Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler. The event is a charity function to benefit The Variety Club of Great Britain and The Newspaper Press Fund.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN III ITV Royal Premiere TV special.

August 1983

August 11, 1983– SUPERGIRL completes principal photography with the filming of the beach sunset scene (pictured in ad below) from the end of the first flight sequence.

November 1983

November 25, 1983– The Showtime premium cable channel airs a Christopher Reeve quadruple feature.

-1984-

February 1984

February 17, 1984– SUPERMAN II makes its network tv world premiere as the extended version airs fully in Canada three days before seen edited on U.S. television. This airing featured roughly 20 added minutes not seen theatrically, giving it a running time of around 146 minutes.

February 20, 1984– ABC premieres the extended version of SUPERMAN II from 8-11pm.
This was the same TV Version as the Canadian airing a few nights before, except ABC cut roughly 6 minutes out, making it a running time of 140 minutes.

April 1984

April, 1984– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN III premieres on premium cable channels in the U.S.

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.

May 1984

May 1984– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE is released on home video in Spain.

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.

July 1984

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

July 19, 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

November 1984

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

VIDEO: SUPERGIRL U.S. theatrical trailer.

-1985-

March 1985

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

VIDEO: German theatrical trailer.

April 1985

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.

-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

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

VIDEO: ABC TV spots and intro.

-1987-

January 1987

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.

July 1987

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 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.

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, 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 $34.95.

-1988-

February 1988

February 15, 1988– SUPERMAN IV is released on VHS and Betamax in the UK.

February 29, 1988– CBS airs the SUPERMAN’S 50TH ANNIVERSAY: A CELEBRATION OF THE MAN OF STEEL TV special from 8-9pm.

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.

November 1988

November 22, 1988– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KCOP channel 5 in Los Angeles.

-1989-

July 1989

July 19, 1989– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WXIN channel 59 in Indianapolis at 8pm.

November 1989

November 18, 1989– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on KTLA channel 5 in Los Angeles at 7:30pm.

November 23, 1989– After five years of airing as the extended version on ABC, 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 and the opening credits and accompanying music are shortened to allow the film to run in the time allotted.

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

-1990-

February 1990

February 4, 1990– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WFXT channel 25 in Boston at 8pm.

May 1990

May 5, 1990– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on KMSP channel 9 in Minneapolis at 7pm.

May 14, 1990– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WPIX channel 11 in New York at 7pm.

May 16, 1990– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WPIX channel 11 in New York at 7:30pm.

May 17, 1990– The international 93 minutes version of SUPERMAN IV airs on WPIX 11 in New York from 8-10pm.

May 17, 1990– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on KTLA channel 5 in Los Angeles from 7:30-10pm.

May 18, 1990– The international 93 minutes version of SUPERMAN IV airs on KTLA channel 5 in Los Angeles from 8-10pm.

May 23, 1990– The international 93 minutes version of SUPERMAN IV airs on KHNL channel 13 in Honolulu from 8:05-10:05pm.

August 1990

August 8, 1990– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE is released on laserdisc in widescreen and newly digitally processed.

-1991-

May 1991

May 15, 1991– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WPIX channel 11 in New York at 7:30pm.

September 1991

September 27, 1991– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on KMSP channel 9 in Minneapolis at 7pm.

–1992–

January 1992

January 18, 1992– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on TBS at 7:30pm.

-1993-

March 1993

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

May 1993

May 23, 1993– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN II airs on WPIX channel 11 in New York at 8pm.

May 26, 1993– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WPIX channel 11 in New York at 8pm.

-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.

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 or 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.

-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.

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.