Superman: The Movie (1978) best scenes

by | Dec 19, 2018

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December 15, 2018 marked the 40th anniversary of the theatrical debut of Superman: The Movie in the United States. To celebrate, episode 3 of Superman Confidential picks the 5 best scenes from the film. 

Runners-up

  • Jor-El and Lara sending off baby Kal-El
  • Clark tells Martha he has to leave
  • Final Superman action scene

High School Clark and Jonathan

  • Starts with Clark, Brad, and Lana after football practice
  • Clark races a train, gets home before car gets there
  • ~29 minute mark
  • Jeff East (voice dubbed by Christopher Reeve) and Glenn Ford
  • “Is a bird showing off when it flies?”
  • “There is one thing I do know son, and that is you are here for a reason. I don’t know whose reason, whatever the reason is, you know, maybe it’s because, uh…I don’t know, it’s uh. But I do know one thing, it’s not to score touchdowns.
  • Clark thanks his dad, asks him to play
  • Jonathan has a heart attack

Clark Kent introduced at the Daily Planet

  • ~48 minute mark
  • Jimmy Olsen (Marc McClure) taking a photo of Lois Lane (Margot Kidder)
  • Lois’s murder story – bloodletting, massacre, rapist
  • Clark opens Perry White’s bottle, Lois shook it up
  • Perry gives Jimmy a coffee order, Jimmy tells someone else to get it and orders a tea
  • “The fastest typist I’ve ever seen”
  • Clark sends half his salary to Ma Kent
  • “Any more at home like you?” “Not really, no”
  • Bumbling Clark
  • Leads to Clark complaining about hours, alleyway save

Superman in Metropolis Helicopter save

  • ~65 minute mark
  • Lois is getting a helicopter ride to Air Force One
  • Helicopter malfunction, Lois screams
  • Chopper goes off side of building
  • Commotion under the Daily Planet, tension builds
  • Clark casually walks out of Planet, sees the copter
  • Notices Lois’s hat, realizes what’s going on
  • John Williams’ theme starts to kick in
  • Pay phone, but not a booth (Clark looks it up and down)
  • Clark crosses street, shirt rip
  • Superman comes out of revolving door
  • “Say, Jim Whoa” “Excuse me” “That’s a bad outfit. Woo!”
  • Clark catches Lois and then the Helicopter
  • “Easy miss, I’ve got you.” “You’ve got me, who’s got you?”
  • Superman gets help for the pilot
  • Flying is the safest way to travel
  • “Who are you?” “A friend”
  • Lois passes out, on to Super saves

Lois interviews Superman

  • ~81 minute mark
  • Lois waiting on balcony in blue dress
  • Christopher Reeve’s presence as Superman
  • Superman’s bio
  • “I’m here to fight for truth and justice and the American way”
  • Go on to flight
  • Superman flies off, Clark is at the door

Lex’s plan to defeat Superman

  • ~94 minute mark
  • “Some people could read War and Peace and come away thinking it’s a simple adventure story. Others can read the ingredients on a chewing gum wrapper and unlock the secrets of the universe.”

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