VIDEO TIMELINE
-1977-
February 1977
February 1, 1977– Christopher Reeve screen tests for the role of Superman and Clark Kent at Shepperton Studios.
March 1977
March 28, 1977– Principal photography begins for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II with director Richard Donner filming Marlon Brando and his dialogue for the post death of Jor-El sequences.
April 1977
April 2, 1977– Susan Blakely screen tests for the role of Lois Lane at Shepperton Studios.
March 29 – April 10, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Jor-El laboratory sequences for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE on C Stage at Shepperton Studios.
April 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Krypton Council scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE on C 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 on B Stage at Shepperton Studios.
May 1977
May 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Fortress of Solitude interior for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II on H Stage at Shepperton Studios.
June 1977
June 1977– Filming the Daily Planet office scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II on E Stage at Pinewood Studios.
June 20 – July 13, 1977– Filming the White House scenes for SUPERMAN II under Richard Donner’s direction on M Stage at Pinewood Studios.
July 1977
July 1977– Director Richard Donner films the New York locations for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II.
August 1977
August 2, 1977– Director Richard Donner films the first missile hijacking sequence for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE in Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada.
August 1977– Director Richard Donner films the Smallville scenes for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE in Alberta, Canada.
September 1977
September 1977– Filming the Lex Luthor’s lair sequences for SUPERMAN THE MOVIE on D Stage at Pinewood Studios.
October 1977
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 on L Stage at Pinewood Studios.
October 28, 1977– The SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II crew under Richard Donner’s direction has the official wrap party at Pinewood Studios.
-1978-
January 1978
January 1978– The first SUPERMAN THE MOVIE theatrical teaser trailer is released to theaters.
December 1978
December 15, 1978- SUPERMAN THE MOVIE opens theatrically in North America and England.
-1979-
January 1979
January 26, 1979– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE opens theatrically in West Germany.
February 1979
February 15, 1979– The season 1, episode 19 of Mork and Mindy features a scene with Robin Williams and Pam Dawber holding a SUPERMAN THE MOVIE baby shirt.
September 1979
September 1979– Director Richard Lester films the Niagara Falls location scenes for SUPERMAN II.
November 1979
November 1979– Director Richard Lester films the SUPERMAN II Metropolis street battle scenes on the Pinewood Studios backlot.
-1980-
December 1980
December 9, 1980– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in France.
-1981-
May/June 1981
May 31/June 1, 1981– SUPERMAN II has its Washington D.C. and New York premieres.
June 19, 1981– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Canada and the U.S.
December 1981
December 17, 1981– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II are re-released theatrically in England as a double feature for a limited holiday run.
-1982-
February 1982
February 1-7, 1982- ABC promotes their premiere of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE with TV and radio spots.
February 7, 1982– ABC airs part 1 of the TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE from 8-10pm for the first of four showings on the network.
February 8, 1982– ABC airs part 2 of the TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE from 8-10pm for the first of four showings on the network.
June 1982
June 25, 1982– Filming the junkyard sequences for SUPERMAN III on the Pinewood Studios backlot.
July 1982
July 23, 1982– Director Richard Lester films the coal mine sequences for SUPERMAN III at Battersea Power Station in London, England.
August 1982
August 19, 1982– Director Richard Lester films the Smallville celebration scenes in High River, Alberta, Canada.
August 22-27, 1982– Director Richard Lester films the Metropolis street location scenes for SUPERMAN III in Calgary, Canada.
August 27, 1982– Filming Gus Gorman’s fall down the side of the Webscoe building for SUPERMAN III with stunt performer Greg Elam in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
September 1982
Early September 1982– Director Richard Lester films the chemical plant fire location scenes for SUPERMAN III in Alberta, Canada.
November 1982
November 14, 1982– ABC air the TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE from 8-11:40pm for the second of four showings on the network.
-1983-
January 1983
January 1, 1983– The HBO premium cable channel premieres the theatrical version of SUPERMAN II.
January 2, 1983– The Showtime premium cable channel premieres the theatrical version of SUPERMAN II.
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.
June 1983
June 12, 1983– SUPERMAN III has its Washington D.C. premiere.
June 17, 1983– SUPERMAN III opens theatrically in North America.
August 1983
August 19, 1983– SUPERMAN III opens theatrically in Italy.
-1984-
January 1984
January 1, 1984– The Nickelodeon show “Stand By… Lights! Camera! Action!” features a segment on the making of SUPERMAN III.
February 1984
February 20, 1984– ABC airs the TV version of SUPERMAN II for its first of three showings on the network.
July 1984
July 19, 1984- SUPERGIRL opens theatrically in England.
August 9, 1984– SUPERGIRL opens theatrically in Australia.
November 1984
November 21, 1984– SUPERGIRL opens theatrically in the U.S.
December 1984
December 23, 1984– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on ABC in its third of four showings on the network.
-1985-
March 1985
March 22, 1985– SUPERGIRL opens theatrically in West Germany.
December 1985
December 29, 1985– ABC airs SUPERGIRL: THE MAKING OF THE MOVIE at 7pm, followed by the TV version SUPERMAN II at 8pm for the second of three screenings on the network.
-1986-
April 1986
April 20, 1986- ABC airs the TV version of SUPERMAN III for its first of three showings on the network.
December 1986
December 2, 1986– Entertainment Tonight features a segment on the making of SUPERMAN IV, featuring interviews with Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, and Mark Pillow.
-1987-
January 1987
January 1987– Christopher Reeve interviews on The Movie Channel to promote the airing of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE throughout the month.
January 19, 1987– The Movie Channel airs SUPERMAN THE MOVIE as part of its “Enforcers Week” marathon.
July 1987
July 24, 1987– SUPERMAN IV opens theatrically.
August 1987
August 4, 1987– Margot Kidder appears as a last minute guest on The Late Show With David Letterman.
-1988-
April 1988
April 3, 1988– ABC airs for the last time the extended TV version of SUPERMAN II.
December 1988
December 31, 1988- ABC airs the TV version of SUPERMAN III for the third and final time on the network.
-1989-
November 1989
November 23, 1989– After five years of airing as the extended version on ABC, followed by a year run on premium cable channels, CBS acquires the rights to and airs the theatrical version of SUPERMAN II on Thanksgiving night from 8:30-11pm. This would mark the premiere of the theatrical version on network TV.
-2006-
November 28, 2006– Warner Home Video releases all four Christopher Reeve Superman films as stand alone or in various box set styles with a myriad of supplements.
-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.
