Coming On Strong…

 

 

SUPERMANIA marks the 30th anniversary week of the final entry in the classic Superman series released in Cinema’s across the world with an unprecedented trio of posts (one for every 10 years!) of rare and unseen material.

Despite ‘Coming On Strong’ (according to the US tagline) in July 1987, Superman IV: The Quest or Peace continues to be divisive decades later.  Critically mauled on initial release leading to audience indifference and disastrous box-office, the Cannon Films production would be a franchise killer long before the term was properly coined.

Against considerable odds, however, the film somehow endures to this day.  Despite its reputation as one of the worst comic-book films ever made, something about the beleaguered production and deeply flawed 90-minute (un)finished product still resonates and manages to retain a small but dedicated fanbase.  Those who can see beyond the cut-price visual effects and clunky plot to embrace it as a pure translation of comic-book to film are rewarded with some classic Superman Movie moments and at its heart, as always, the performance of the late Christopher Reeve.

Much maligned as it may be, the film is the guilty pleasure that refuses to fade away, clinging firmly to its cult status.  But don’t take my word for it, go here to read a fabulous new retrospective written by Bill Williams, where you’ll discover the real legacy of this film is that it got made at all.  Indeed, until such time as the complete and uncut edition is pulled from the WB archives and restored, we literally have don’t yet have the full picture…

From the top – The exciting latest addition to the SUPERMANIA archive is this authentic, production-used Stunt Double black satin crew jacket!  This was acquired from Propstore and is most likely attributed to Christopher Reeve’s stuntman Mark Stewart (Reeve himself wore a very similar one onset).  Paired with a genuine crew cap, this represents a complete ensemble as worn by personnel at Elstree Studios in 1986…

Above, more never-before-published pages from the volume of storyboards pencilled by Martin Asbury as scans resume from the Big Red Book last posted over three years ago!!  There are many more to follow this sequence of the battle for the Statue of Liberty and it should be noted this vast binder houses the complete version of the film, so future updates will document the epic Metropolis battle as it was meant to be seen, including yellowcabs tossed around like rocks!

Below, a brand-new set of fanmade vintage style promotional ads for Superman IV presented by Jason Leggett, giving us an insight into what might have been had the advertising budget matched those of previous instalments…

 

 

8 Replies to “Coming On Strong…”

  1. Do you have any knowledge or information on the Oxford Street/Regent Street Superman IV exhibition back in 87? My parents took me to it before we went to see the film in Leicester Square. It may have been in Hamleys. They had various props on display including Clark’s glasses. Been trying to find out about it for years.

  2. I’m not sure that I should mention the fact that Mark Stewart had to stop selling these Stunt team jackets and Caps which he did in fact do because He was told that anything DC comics is a copyright owned by them, fortunately I still have the jacket that I bought from him while I was working on the roofs of Elstree Studio’s back then for £35, I wonder what it’s worth now??

  3. Many thanks for your comments guys – I’ll respond in order starting with thelostchevalier – yes sir, your memory serves you well regarding the exhibition at Hamley’s but, like you I have been frustrated with the lack of evidence of it. having said that I direct you to this post – http://supermania78.com/2012/07/25-years-nuclear/ where you will find two (albeit poor) photographs from said event when visited by Nuclearman himself. Now that you mention Clark’s glasses were there I’m keener than ever to find out more – was there a display of the Superman costume?
    Ron – you’ve gotta give me more here as you’ve dropped some very intriguing bombs!! Thanks for assisting with the provenance of these – unfortunately the crew gear doesn’t fetch that princely a sum (as yet) but one suspects they will going forward. I’m desperate to reach Mark and interview him for the site so, even though it was a long time ago I’d appreciate any further info if you have it –
    And Jason – only the best gets showcased on this blog 🙂

    1. I honestly can’t remember if there was a costume. I think so, but it’s the glasses that stick in my mind. I don’t also remember the spacecraft prop in that photo with Mark Pillow, but if memory serves I believe they had a miniature of the Soviet rocket and transport that Luther attaches the little white box to. But I could be wrong. It’s 30 years and I was 9 years old! But the glasses were a definite.

  4. Hello Friends and Fans,

    I’m Mark Stewart, Christopher Reeve’s stunt double on Superman III and IV. That jacket was definitely my personal jacket worn for years after the completion of Superman IV. I’d recognize it anywhere.

    I also produced the cast/crew caps (in photos) and polo shirts (not shown) for the film while on set at the former E.M.I. Studios, Borehamwood, Herts. in 1987 where most of Superman IV was filmed- Milton Keynes town was used, cheaply, as a poor substitute for Metropolis in the Cannon Film release.

    May you all find unity in your “Quest for Peace”.
    Pranams to You All
    ?
    M.S.

    1. well hi there mark what happened to you – are you still in launceston cornwall? bet you dont remember me from polapit tamar!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.