The old story of Superman, first published in comic form in
1938, is known to all. Just like a book version of any story is preferred to
the movie, our imagination fills in the details. Many people have reviewed the new Superman movie with
flagging degrees of enthusiasm. Is there more to say about the
comic book hero?
Christopher Reeve will always be my ideal image of Superman.
Strong, good-looking and thoughtful, he epitomized a hero to me. I wrote a
tribute song to him and featured it in my book, Still Rock Water. In the plot,
a music producer sold the song to a television program making a series about
the curse of Superman.
Here's a link to the song I wrote:
Video of Still Rock Water: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36F7t1sFN1A
The curse of
superman.
Much has been written about the so-called Superman Curse, especially after
Christopher Reeve's 1995 tragic accident and his unfortunate death. Once again,
tabloid writers drew comparisons with 1950s TV Superman George Reeves' suicide,
with the hardships suffered by Superman co-creators Siegel and Shuster after they
sold their billion-dollar creation to DC Comics for a mere $130, and with actor
Kirk Alyn's lackluster career after playing Superman in two 1940s movie
serials.
Quote: 'If anything is demonstrated by some of the
unfortunate history surrounding Superman's media career during the past 66
years, it's an amazing and mathematically proven phenomenon observed time and
again in the physical universe. That phenomenon is called coincidence.' – Brian
McKernan, 12/04
Like any type of curse, Tutankhamen's curse for instance,
mankind loves to whisper stories of intrigue and conspiracy. Now, new facts
have come to light about child actors in the Elizabeth stage.
A study by of a University Oxford academic shows that child
performers were subjected to abduction, cruelty and violence. These street
kidnappings were legal. The theatre owners had licenses to forcibly recruit
children. These powers had been granted by Queen Elizabeth I and carried her
royal seal. Shakespeare, who comes out of this rather well, expressed his distaste
for this use of captive children for
entertainment.
Laws concerning children have changed and their
circumstances have improved. Or have they? Are they free to go to a public
theatre and watch an exciting movie about Superman without the need to fear the
man sitting next to them?
Interesting post on Superman with a flight into social issues concerning children. Indeed, kids should be able to watch a movie with flights of fancy not fear. Always thought provoking. (and yes, Christopher Reeve was the best, but I have high hopes for Henry Cavill)
ReplyDeleteI don't have little ones any more Francese. But my daughter wouldn't dare send her boys to the movies without adult supervision. (9,11&14 yrs)
ReplyDeleteThe good news is that they do see movies like Superman as a family. And I'm sure you will agree with the breakdown of the family that's a good thing!!
I love the story of Superman. I wish that movie directors would choose to give us other facets of his mythology. What about a new villain like Doomsday perhaps? Or even Darkseid.
ReplyDeleteMy nine-year old son is very much into the Spiderman/Superman movies. He doesn't go to the theater with friends or anyone else but us, and they have to be PG 13 movies on a lower scale ... nothing gory or such.
ReplyDeleteChristopher Reeve ... I was madly in love with him, and felt for his family after his accident and death. Maybe a curse, maybe just our wild interpretation of things.
Very interesting post.