SUPERMAN THE MOVIES TIMELINE 1980-1984

1974-1979

1980-1984

1985-1989

1990-2023

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-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.
An unused take filmed by Lester was used for SUPERMAN II THE RICHARD DONNER CUT.
This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN II- Director Richard Lester. January 4, 1979. A Stage, Pinewood Studios, England.

January 25, 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, giving the film a 127 minutes running time in order to fit the movie on one videocassette due to the tape length limitations of the time. Retail price ranges between $65-$100. Many stores sell out of copies.
This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- WCI Home Video box front and back.
January 25, 1980.
SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Fotomat ad. January 1980.

February 1980

February 1 and 2, 1980– The production spends a weekend in Buskerud county, Norway, filming Christopher Reeve as powerless Clark walking back to the Fortress of Solitude, and of stand ins for Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor and Valerie Perrine as Miss Teschmacher on a sled heading to and coming from the Fortress.
While filming SUPERMAN THE MOVIE in Canada in August 1977, a second unit during director Richard Donner’s tenure filmed scenes of Lex and Miss Teschmacher heading to and coming from the Fortress of Solitude using Hackman and Perrine stand ins. These scenes were scrapped and all the shots in the theatrical version of SUPERMAN II are reshoots under Richard Lester’s direction.
This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN II- February 1, 1980. Buskerud county, Norway.

February 7, 1980– CBS airs THE MUPPET SHOW featuring Christopher Reeve as a guest.
The episode was filmed two weeks earlier at Elstree Studios from January 22-25 while Reeve was shooting SUPERMAN II under Richard Lester’s direction at Pinewood Studios.

SUPERMAN II- TV Guide CBS ads for The Muppet Show. February 7, 1980.

February 20, 1980– Director Zoran Perisic under Director Richard Lester’s direction films the Superman flying to Paris scenes with Christopher Reeve as Superman on A Stage at Pinewood Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN II- Director Zoran Perisic. February 20, 1980. A Stage, Pinewood Studios.
SUPERMAN II- Director Richard Lester

February 22, 1980Zoptic creator and director Zoran Perisic films the Superman Metropolis battle rooftop take off and tanker truck fly down, and Superman flying with the American Flag on A Stage at Pinewood Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN II- February 22, 1982. A Stage, Pinewood Studios, England. Director- Richard Lester

February 22, 1980– The model unit films the Eiffel Tower miniature for SUPERMAN II on the Pinewood Studios backlot. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN II- February 29, 1980. Pinewood Studios backlot, England

March 1980

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

SUPERMAN II- End of principal photography. March 10, 1980. Director-Richard Lester

Late March 1980– Press rumors has producers Dino DeLaurentiis having purchased the rights to SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and the then unreleased SUPERMAN II. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN II- Newspaper article. March 31, 1980.

March 25, 1980– Composer Ken Thorne begins recording the musical score for SUPERMAN II at The Music Centre in England.

May 1980

May 2, 1980– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE begins a limited theatrical rerelease across the U.S. This is not a wide release, and some theaters play it as a matinee, or only on weekends, or late shows, etc. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

June 1980

June 27, 1980– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE is re-released theatrically in New York and New Jersey.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE - U.S. theatrical rerelease newspaper ads. June 26 and 27, 1980

July 1980

July 2, 1980– Warner Bros. pulls BRONCO BILLY from most theaters and expands SUPERMAN THE MOVIE’s limited theatrical re-release to take over some of those screens. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE ARTICLES- Bronco Billy 1. June 26, 1980.
SUPERMAN THE MOVIE ARTICLES- Bronco Billy 2. July 4, 1980.
SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Newspaper ad. June 27, 1980.

October 1980

October 4, 1980– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE makes its television world premiere with the screening of the theatrical version on the ON-TV premium cable channel.
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 videotape length limitations of the time, so this ON-TV airing would mark the first time the full theatrical version would be seen on home media. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- ON-TV ad. October 4, 1980.

October 11, 1980- The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE premieres on Showtime. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Showtime ad. October 11, 1980.

October 12, 1980- The theatrical version premieres on HBO.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Magazine HBO ads. October 1980.

October 25-26, 1980– Showtime offers a free viewing weekend with the theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE as one of the main attractions. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Showtime ad. December 25-26, 1980.

November 1980

November 8, 1980– A month after first airing on most major cable television movie channels, the theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE premieres on The Movie Channel. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- The Movie Channel guide cover.
November 1980.

November 17 1980– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE premieres on Home Theater Network. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Home Theater Network article. November 17, 1980

December 1980

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

SUPERMAN II- Australian teaser poster.
SUPERMAN II- Australia newspaper ad. December 1980.

December 6 and 7, 1980– HBO offers a free viewing weekend with the theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE as one of the main attractions. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- HBO ad. December 6 and 7, 1980.
SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- HBO ad. December 6 and 7, 1980.

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

VIDEO: French theatrical trailer.

SUPERMAN II- French theatrical trailer 1980

December 11, 1980– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Spain.

SUPERMAN II- Spain newspaper ad. December 1980.

December 15-31, 1980– The Movie Channel premium channel begins a two week run of “Best of ’80” airing with the theatrical version as one of its attractions. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- The Movie Channel ad.
December 15-31, 1980.

December 16, 1980– Official media preview of SUPERMAN II at 6:30 pm at the Warner West End 2 in London. This information was listed by Ilya Salkind on his Facebook page.

December 19, 1980– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Seville, Spain.

December 25, 1980– SUPERMAN II opens in Argentina.

December 31, 1980– The Z Channel premium cable channel ends the year s screening of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- The Z Channel ad. December 31, 1980.

1981

January 1981

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

February 1981

February 3, 1981– The Marquee cable provider in Salinas, California, offers its subscribers a free viewing of the film at 7:30pm. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Cable ad. February 3, 1981.

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.

SUPERMAN II- Margot Kidder at the London premiere. April 8, 1981.
SUPERMAN II- Margot Kidder, Terence Stamp and Sarah Douglas at the London premiere. April 8, 1981.

April 9, 1981– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in London.

SUPERMAN II- UK newspaper ad. April 1981.
SUPERMAN II- UK newspaper ad. April 1981.

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.

SUPERMAN II- Washington D.C. and New York premieres. May 31 and June 1,1981

June 1981

June 1, 1981– SUPERMAN II New York premiere. In attendance are Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Jack O’Halloran, Sarah Douglas, Terence Stamp, Director Richard Lester, Executive Producer Ilya Salkind, and Producer Pierre Spengler.

June 5, 1981– The SUPERMAN II original soundtrack is released in North America on record and audio cassette.

SUPERMAN II- Original Soundtrack poster and magazine ad. June 5, 1981.

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 earning nearly $4.5 million in its first day.

VIDEO: U.S. theatrical trailer

SUPERMAN II- U.S. Theatrical trailer 1981

June 20, 1981– SUPERMAN II records the highest two day box office gross in motion picture history up to that time, earning more than $10 million in its opening two days.

SUPERMAN II ARTICLES- 2 day record. June 20, 1981.

June 21, 1981– SUPERMAN II records the highest grossing opening weekend and highest box office earning for one day in motion picture history up to that time.

SUPERMAN II- Newspaper article. June 21, 1981.
SUPERMAN II- Variety ad. June 24, 1981.

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

SUPERMAN II- Variety ad. July 1, 1981.

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 12, 1981– Less than four months since its North American theatrical release, the theatrical version of SUPERMAN II is released on home video in VHS and Betamax formats.
This release would be the same mono sound print later released in the red clamshell case.
SUPERMAN THE MOVIE is released for a third time on VHS and Betamax.
The previous VHS and Betamax big cardboard box releases by WCI Home Video and Warner Home Video had been sped up and the end credits reduced to bring the original running time of the film from 143 minutes to 127 in order to fit the movie on one cassette due to video tape length limitations of the time, this release is that same 127 minute print slightly altered, making this release unique and different from ANY OTHER officially released version of the film. More on this tomorrow.
For the only time in the history of the official videotapes released on home video in the U.S., the title on the labels of the videocassettes were depicted with the film’s respective logo lettering (previous and later releases featured a basic text font).
The release of SUPERMAN II on home video causes a stir in the video rental community as Warner Bros. makes its video library for rental only to video stores.
Essentially, video stores would lease the tapes from Warner Home Video, and then rent them out to customers. After six months of rental, the video store would be allowed to purchase the used video cassettes at a discounted price. Many video stores refused to carry Warner titles, citing that if your video store rented a title from Warner for their store, and that if that title didn’t rent out that week to customers, you would be out of money.
Basically, Warner Bros. wanted to treat video stores like movie theatres: you rent the films from them weekly, then charge people to watch them.
The film was yet to open theatrically in India, Thailand, Colombia, Uruguay, Turkey, and Peru. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II- October 12, 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.

January 24, 1982– ABC premieres THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE documentary from 7-8pm. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

VIDEO: THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE ABC TV spot.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE ABV TV spot. January 24, 1982.

February 1982

February 1-7, 1983– ABC promotes the network television premiere of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE on February 7.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN THE MOVIE ABC TV commercials.

February 7, 1982– ABC airs in two parts 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.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN THE MOVIE ABC night 1 intro, bumpers, and night 2 preview.

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.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- New Foundland Herald television guide NTV ad. February 7 and 8, 1982.

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.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Associated Press article. February 1982.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN THE MOVIE ABC night 2 intro and night 1 recap.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- ABC Intro and night 1 recap.
February 8, 1982.

February 14 and 15, 1982– The extended 2 part TV version premieres on network TV in Hawaii.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- KITV ad. February 13 and 14, 1982.

March 1982

March 1982– SUPERMAN II opens theatrically in Turkey.

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

April 1982

Early April 1982Actor Marlon Brando and story and scriptwriter Mario Puzo settle their lawsuits with the production’s producers.
The payout is an undisclosed amount reportedly to be $10 million split between the the two.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Brando lawsuit. April 7, 1982.

April 13, 1982– Less than a year after its U.S. theatrical release, the theatrical version of SUPERMAN II makes its world television premiere on the QUBE interactive cables service in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, six months before national cable airings. An event is held at Warner Bros. headquarters in Pittsburg, Christopher Reeve flies in on his own plane to be in attendance. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN II ARTICLE- QUBE TV. April 14, 1982.
SUPERMAN II ARTICLE- QUBE TV. April 14, 1982.
SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II- QUBE TV. April 14, 1982.

April 20, 1982– ITV buys the rights to air SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II four times each over the next six years.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II- Newspaper article. April 21, 1982.

May 1982

May 19, 1982– Christopher Reeve flies to London to begin a month long preparation starting the next day before filming begins on SUPERMAN III in late June. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

June 1982

June 21-24, 1982– SUPERMAN III begins principal photography with filming portions of the interior of Lana’s home and hotel sequences for SUPERMAN III with Christopher Reeve as Superman and Clark Kent, Annette O’Toole as Lana, and Paul Kaethler as Ricky on E Stage at Pinewood Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN III- Annette O'Toole, Christopher Reeve.
SUPERMAN III ARTICLES- Shooting underway.
June 21, 1982.

June 23, 1982– Director Richard Lester films the Lana’s hotel room sequences for SUPERMAN III with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent, Annette O’Toole as Lana Lang, Paul Kaethler as Ricky, and Gavan O’Herlihy as Brad Wilson on E Stage at Pinewood Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN III- Annette O'Toole, Christopher Reeve.

June 24, 1982– Director Richard Lester films the Lana’s hotel room and Lana and Ricky on the subway scenes for SUPERMAN III with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent, Annette O’Toole as Lana Lang, Paul Kaethler as Ricky, and Gavan O’Herlihy as Brad Wilson on E Stage at Pinewood Studios.
Also filmed on this day on the same stage was a short theatrically deleted sequence featuring Frank Oz as a surgeon about to operate on a patient just as the supercomputer blacks out the planet. The scene was featured in the extended TV version.
This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN III- Deleted scene with Frank Oz as a surgeon. June 24, 1982. E Stage, Pinewood Studios, England.

June 25, 1982– Filming the junkyard sequences for SUPERMAN III with Christopher Reeve as Superman and Clark Kent on the Pinewood Studios backlot.
Stunt performer Paul Weston doubles for Reeve.
The American cars were acquired from a local junkyard owner whose lot was sold and needed a location to store the cars until the new lot was ready, so the production rented his entire auto graveyard and brought the cars to the studio lot. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

VIDEO: Filming the junkyard behind the scenes footage.

SUPERMAN III- Junkyard filming. June 1982. Pinewood Studios backlot.

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 SUPERMAN III production begins its first day of a month long shoot in Canada.
The first sequences filmed are the gas station fight, Richard Pryor as Gus Gorman in the coffee shop, and man filling gas tank from the end resolution to the gas crisis.
Later that afternoon the production films Richard Pryor’s stunt performer, Greg Elam, leaping into the street on skis for the last part of Gus Gorman’s Webscoe building fall. Pryor would then step in to film his scoot away across the street. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN III- Canadian trade paper ad. August 17, 1982.
SUPERMAN III- August 17, 1982. Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
SUPERMAN III- August 17, 1982. Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

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. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN III- Richard Pryor as Gus orman and Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent. August 19, 1982. High River, Alberta, Canada.
SUPERMAN III- Richard SUPERMAN III- Pryor as Gus Gorman. August 18, 1982. High River, Alberta, Canada.
SUPERMAN III- The Smallville clothing store location. August 14, 2021. High River, Alberta, Canada.

August 18, 1982– THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE documentary airs on PBS stations WLIL. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE WLIL ad. August 18, 1982.

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 Signer as the Mayor, and Annie Ross as Vera Webster in High River, Alberta, Canada. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN III- Annette O'Toole as Lana Lang and Christopher Reeve as Superman. August 19, 1982. High River, Alberta, Canada.
SUPERMAN III- Christopher Reeve as Superman and Richard Pryor as Gus Gorman. August 19, 1982. High River, Alberta, Canada.
SUPERMAN III- The Smallville celebration location. August 14, 2021. High River, Alberta, Canada. Photo by Jason Thomas.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN III Smallville celebration behind the scenes footage.

SUPERMAN III- Ski stunt filming. August 19, 1982. High River, Alberta, Canada.

August 22-27, 1982– Director Richard Lester films the streets of Metropolis location scenes for SUPERMAN III with Christopher Reeve as Superman and Clark Kent, Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen, Pamela Stephenson as Lorelei, and numerous local extras in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN III filming the streets of Metropolis behind the scenes footage.

SUPERMAN III- Filming the streets of Metropolis. August 24-27, 1982. Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

August 22, 1982– Filming in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, for SUPERMAN III with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent blowing out a burning penguin and getting a torn newspaper, Graham Stark as the blind man losing his dog and painting the street, Wendy Leech as the the lady dropping her grocery bags, and Gordon Rollins as the man who falls into street hole. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN III- August 22, 1982. Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

August 22, 1982– THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE documentary airs on the PBS stations WLVT, WKAR, and KHET. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- WLVT, WKAR, and KHET ad. August 22, 1982.

August 24 1982– THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE documentary airs on the PBS stations WNET, KTCA, and WETA. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- WNET, KTCA, and WETA ad. August 24, 1982.

August 25, 1982– THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE documentary airs on PBS stations WLVT and WPBT. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE WLVT ad. August 25, 1982.
SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE WPBT ad. August 25, 1982.

August 26, 1982– THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE documentary airs on PBS stations NETV, WTVS, WEDU, KSPS, WVPT, WVPT, WPTO, WPTD, KUED, KHET, and KUAT. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE WTVS ad. August 26, 1982.
SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE KUAT ad. August 26, 1982.

August 27, 1982– Filming Gus Gorman’s fall down the side of the Webscoe building with stunt performer Greg Elam as Gus Gorman for SUPERMAN III in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

SUPERMAN III- Ski stunt filming. August 17, 1982. Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

August 28, 1982– THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE documentary airs on PBS stations CPTV, KIXE, and WVIA. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE CPTV ad. August 28, 1982.
SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE KIXE ad. August 28, 1982.

August 29-31, 1982– Director Richard Lester films the Smallville picnic sequences for SUPERMAN III with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent and Superman, Paul Kaethler as Ricky, and Annette O’Toole as Lana Lang in Blackie, Alberta, Canada.

SUPERMAN III- Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent, Annette O'Toole as Lana Lang.
August 29-31, 1982. Blackie, Alberta, Canada.
SUPERMAN III- Christopher Reeve as Superman, Paul Kaethler as Ricky, Annette O'Toole as Lana Lang.
August 29-31, 1982. Blackie, Alberta, Canada.

September 1982

Early September 1982– Director Richard Lester films the chemical plant fire locations sequences for SUPERMAN III with Christopher Reeve as Superman, Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen, Rick McNair as Fireman, Stunt Performer Mark Stewart as Firefighter, and Al Matthews as the Fire Chief at the Turbo Refinery in Alberta, Canada.
The acid room and Superman walking through fire and picking up Jimmy were filmed at Pinewood Studios.
This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN III filming the chemical plant fire behind the scenes footage.

September 7, 1982– Director Richard Lester films the Superman landing with an injured Jimmy Olsen and taking off to the lake scenes for SUPERMAN III with Christopher Reeve as Superman, Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen, Rick McNair as Fireman, Stunt Performer Mark Stewart as Firefighter, and Al Matthews as the Fire Chief at the Alberta Turbo Factory in Alberta, Canada.
The acid room and Superman walking through fire and picking up Jimmy were filmed at Pinewood Studios.
This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN III- Christopher Reeve as Superman and Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen. September 7, 1982. Alberta, Canada.

September 10, 1982– The production holds a thank you party for the cast and crew of the film and their invited guests.
As a token of their appreciation to the people of city for their outstanding support in the making of the film, the production donates $3,000 to the Calgary Centre for the Performing Arts.

SUPERMAN III- Than you party. September 10, 1982. Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

September 13, 1982– The production wraps up the last couple of days of location filming in Canada with the tanker truck rescue in Longview, Alberta, Canada. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN III- Christopher Reeve as Superman. September 13, 1982. Longview, Alberta, Canada.
SUPERMAN III- Christopher Reeve as Superman. September 13, 1982. Longview, Alberta, Canada.

September 14, 1982– After almost four weeks of location filming in and around Calgary and High River in Alberta, Canada, and at the Grand Canyon In the U.S., the production heads back to England’s Pinewood Studios for another two months of stage and backlot filming. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN III- Trade ad. September 1982.

September 21-23, 1982– Director Richard Lester spends three days filming the Webster’s office scenes for SUPERMAN III with Richard Pryor as Gus Gorman, Robert Vaughn as Ross Webster, Pamela Stephenson as Lorelei Ambrosia, Annie Ross as Vera Webster, and Robert Henderson as Mr. Simpson on F Stage at Pinewood Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN III- Robert Vaughn as Ross Webster and Pamela Stephenson as Lorelei Ambrosia. September 21-23, 1982. F Stage, Pinewood Studios.
SUPERMAN III- Richard Pryor as Gus Gorman and Robert Vaughn as Ross Webster. September 21-23, 1982. F Stage, Pinewood Studios.

August 24 and 25, 1982– Director Richard Lester films the Gus Gorman paycheck scenes with Richard Pryor as Gus Gorman, Lou Hirsch as Fred, and Bill Reimbold as Wages Man on L Stage at Pinewood Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN III- September 24 and 25, 1982. L Stage, Pinewood Studios.

October 1982

October 1, 1982– SUPERMAN II begins a re-release across the U.S. The film would play throughout the country well into 1983. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

November 1982

November 3, 1982– Christopher Reeve appears on ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT to talk SUPERMAN III. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN III- Entertainment Tonight ad. November 3, 1982.

November 12, 1982- SUPERMAN THE MOVIE is released for the fourth time, and SUPERMAN II for its second, on VHS and Betamax.
This was to be the first time that the complete 144 minutes theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE would become available on home video.
The first two home video releases (the big black box by WCI HOME VIDEO and WARNER HOME VIDEO) had been edited down to 127 minutes, sped up, and the end credits reduced in order to fit the entire film on one videocassette due to tape length limitations of the time. The third home video release was the complete film in normal speed, but the end credits were still reduced. This same third release was also marked as part of Warner Home Video’s new rental only plan, where Warner would rent, not sell, the videotapes to stores, they in turn rented them out to customers. This marketing strategy barely lasted a year, as many video stores refused to carry Warner titles because of it.
SUPERMAN II had been released in October the previous year (1981), also as part of the Warner rental only program, so this release would be the first where the film was available for purchase by the general public.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II- November 12, 1982.

November 13, 1982– The CFCN Canadian TV network airs for the second time the extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE.
This is the same version as the two night airing in February edited to run in one night. Note in the ad the mention of SUPERMAN III filming in Calgary over the summer of 1982.
This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Newspaper CFCN ad. November 13, 1982.

November 14, 1982– ABC airs the extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE from 8-11:40pm. This is the same version as the two night airing in February edited to run in one night.

VIDEO: SUPERMAN THE MOVIE ABC intro and bumpers.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- ABC intro and bumpers. November 14, 1982.

November 27, 1982– ABC airs the extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE on their Hawaii affiliate station KITV. This is the same version as the two night airing in February edited to run in one night. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- KITV ad.
November 27, 1982.

November 27, 1982– THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE documentary airs on the PBS station KTCA. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE KTCA ad. November 27, 1982.

December 1982

December 8, 1982– THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE documentary airs on PBS stations KEDT and KTVP. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE KEDT ad. December 8, 1982.
SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE WTVP ad. December 8, 1982.

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

December 21, 1982– Helen Slater is notified that she has been cast as Supergirl, Linda Lee, and Kara. Her pay, $75,000.
SUPERMAN III had finished principal photography the previous month and is in post production to be released in less than six months.
This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

VIDEO: Helen Slater is informed she is cast, from the SUPERGIRL: THE MAKING OF THE MOVIE 1985 documentary.

SUPERGIRL- Helen Slater cast. December 21, 1982. Pinewood Studios, England.

-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. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

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

January 1, 1983– The HBO premium cable channel premieres the theatrical version of SUPERMAN II.

SUPERMAN II- HBO TV spot.
December 31, 1982.

January 2, 1983– The Showtime premium cable channel premieres the theatrical version of SUPERMAN II.

SUPERMAN II- Showtime TV spot. January 1983.

January 9, 1983– The Movie Channel airs the theatrical version SUPERMAN II.

SUPERMAN II- The Movie Channel ad. January 9, 1983.

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. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN II- The Movie Channel giveaway poster front and back. January, 1983.

Late January 1983– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN II is released on CED. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN II- RCA videodisc ad. 1983.

February 1983

February 14, 1983- Composer Ken Thorne begins recording the musical score to SUPERMAN III at The Music Centre in England.

February 13 and 14, 1982– The Extended 2 part TV version makes its network premiere on Australian television’s Ch 10.
The competing channel 9’s advertising of their airing of the film Slapshot starring Paul Newman takes a swipe at Channel 10’s Superman screening. Newman was offered the role of Superman early in the casting decisions.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Australian television guide ads and articles. February 13 and 14, 1983.

February 18-20, 1983– The World of Wheels auto show in Rapid City, South Dakota
has free showings of the film. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- World of Wheels auto show ad. February 18, 19, 20, 1983. Rapid City, South Dakota.

March 1983

March 1983– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN II premieres on Canadian cable television.

SUPERMAN II- First Choice ad. March 1983.
SUPERMAN II- First Choice ad. March 1983.

April 1983

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

SUPERGIRL- Newspaper article. May 10, 1983.
SUPERGIRL- First day of principal photography. Left to Right: Director Jeannot Szwarc, Helen Slater, Creative Consultant Ilya Salkind and Producer Timothy Burrill. April 19. Pinewood Studios, England

May 1983

May 26, 1983– The theatrical version airs as a free viewing on Palmer Cablevision.

SUPERMAN II- Palmer Cablevision ad. May 26, 1983.

June 1983

June 1983– The SUPERGIRL production spends a week in Jackson Hole, the Yellowstone National Park, and the surrounding horse ranches in the Wyoming area filming the flying background plates.
The waterfall Supergirl flies over is called the Yellowstone Lower Falls, and is accessible to tourists.
The remaining locations for the sequence were filmed in Scotland and at Pinewood Studios and Blackpark Lake in England.
This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERGIRL- June 1983. Lower Falls, Yellowstone National Park, U.S.

June 12, 1983– SUPERMAN III has its Washington D.C. premiere to benefit the Special Olympics.

VIDEO: Washington D.C. premiere footage.

June 14, 1983– SUPERMAN III has its New York premiere to benefit the Museum of Modern Art.

SUPERMAN III- New York premiere. June 14, 1983

June 17, 1983– SUPERMAN III opens theatrically across North America on 1, 759 screens.

VIDEO: U.S. theatrical trailer.

SUPERMAN III- U.S. theatrical trailer. 1983.

June 19, 1983– SUPERMAN III is the highest grossing film of the weekend.

SUPERMAN III ARTICLES- Summer box office. June 19, 1982

July 1983

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

VIDEO: SUPERMAN III ITV Royal Premiere TV special.

July 1983– Filming the tractor and Midvale town sequences for SUPERGIRL with Helen Slater as Linda Lee and Supergirl, Hart Bochner as Ethan, Peter Cook as Nigel, Sandra Dickinson as Pretty Young Lady, Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen, Maureen Teefy as Lucy Lane, Brenda Vaccaro as Bianca, and Faye Dunaway as Selena on the Pinewood Studios backlot. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERGIRL THE MOVIE- Maureen Teefy as Lucy Lane, Helen Slater as Supergirl. July 1983. Pinewood Studios backlot.
SUPERGIRL THE MOVIE- Hart Bochner as Ethan, Helen Slater as Linda Lee. July 1983. Pinewood Studios backlot.
SUPERGIRL THE MOVIE- Hart Bochner as Ethan, Helen Slater as Linda Lee. July 1983. Pinewood Studios backlot.
SUPERGIRL THE MOVIE- Hart Bochner as Ethan, Maureen Teefy as Lucy Lane, Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen, Sandra Dickinson as Pretty Young Lady, Peter Cook as Nigel. July 1983. Pinewood Studios backlot.

August 1983

August 11, 1983– SUPERGIRL completes principal photography with filming of the beach sunset scene (pictured in ad below). This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERGIRL_ Hollywood Reporter ad. August 11, 1983.

November 1983

November 25, 1983– The Showtime premium cable channel airs a Christopher Reeve quadruple feature marathon.
5pm– DEATHTRAP
7pm– FAIRY TALE THEATER: SLEEPING BEAUTY
8pm– SUPERMAN II
10:15pm– MONSIGNOR

SUPERMAN II- TV Guide Showtime ad. November 25, 1983.

December 1983

December 6, 1983– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN III is released in the U.S. on VHS and Betamax for $69.95, and on laserdisc and CED for $39.95. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN III- U.S. home video release. December 6, 1983.

-1984-

January 1984

January 1, 1984– The Nickelodeon show “Stand By… Lights! Camera! Action!” features a segment on the making of SUPERMAN III. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

Video: Stand By… Lights! Camera! Action! featurette.

SUPERMAN III- Stand By... Lights! Camera! Action! featurette. January 1, 1984.

January 1, 1984– ABC airs THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN III documentary from 7-8pm. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN III- THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN III television guide clipping. January 1, 1984.

January 17, 1984- TELE 1ST goes on the air and features the theatrical version of SUPERMAN II in its first weeks of broadcasting, more than two months prior to premiering on general premium cable channels in April. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN III- TELE1ST ad. January 17, 1984.
SUPERMAN III- TELE1ST ad.
January 17, 1984.

February 1984

February 17, 1984– SUPERMAN II makes its network tv world premiere as the extended version airs in Canada three days before the U.S.
This version was put together by the Salkind’s production company for television to feature roughly 20 minutes of added Richard Donner and Richard Lester filmed scenes unused in the theatrical version, giving it a running time of around 146 minutes.
This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN II- Canadian TV ads. February 17, 1984.

February 20, 1984– ABC premieres the extended version of SUPERMAN II.
This was the same TV Version as the Canadian airing a few nights before, except ABC cut roughly 6 minutes out, giving this airing a running time of 140 minutes.

SUPERMAN II- ABC intro and teaser. February 20, 1984.

March 1984

March 30, 1984– The extended tv version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on Australia’s Channel 10.

April 1984

April 1, 1984– Showtime is the first non-network tv channel to air the theatrical version of SUPERMAN III by showing it at 10am, beating the Cinemax airing at noon by two hours. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN III- Showtime guide. April 1984.

April 8, 1984– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN III airs on the HBO premium cable channel.

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. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN III- Cable guide HBO and Cinemax ad. April 12-15, 1984.
SUPERMAN III- Cable guide HBO and Cinemax ad. April 12-15, 1984.

April 18, 1984– The Cowlitz Cableview Co. in Washington offers a free night of movies featuring the theatrical version of SUPERMAN III. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN III- Cowlitz Cableview Co. ad. April 18, 1984.
SUPERMAN III- Cowlitz Cableview Co. ad. April 18, 1984.

April 19, 1984– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN III airs on the HBO premium cable channel.

SUPERMAN III- HBO ad. April 19, 1984.

May 1984

May 1984– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE is released on home video in Spain. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Spanish magazine Warner Home Video ad. April 1984.
SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- Spanish magazine Warner Home Video ad. May 1984.

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. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.

SUPERMAN II- The Making of Superman The Movie and The Making of Superman II U.S. VHS. 1984.

July 1984

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

SUPERGIRL- Spanish magazine ad. July 17, 1984

July 19, 1984– SUPERGIRL has its Royal Premiere in London.

SUPERGIRL- Princess Michael of Kent, Colin Chilvers, Derek Meddings, Brenda Vaccaro, Peter Cook, and Helen Slater at the Royal Premiere. July 19, 1984. London, England.

July 20 1984– SUPERGIRL opens theatrically in the UK with a 124 minutes running time.

VIDEO: SUPERGIRL UK theatrical trailer.

SUPERGIRL- UK theatrical trailer. July 19, 1984.

August 1984

August 9, 1984– SUPERGIRL opens theatrically in Australia.

VIDEO: SUPERGIRL international trailer.

SUPERGIRL- International theatrical trailer

October 1984

October 10, 1984– SUPERGIRL opens theatrically in France.

October 24, 1984SUPERGIRL opens theatrically in various parts of Canada.

November 1984

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

VIDEO: SUPERGIRL U.S. theatrical trailer.

SUPERGIRL- US theatrical trailer. November 21, 1984.

November 27, 1984– SUPERGIRL is #1 at the U.S. box office with $5.7 million for the three day weekend, and $7.7 million in its first five days of release.

SUPERGIRL ARTICLE- Box office gross. November 27, 1984.

December 1984

December 21, 1984– SUPERGIRL opens theatrically in various parts of Canada.

SUPERGIRL- Canadian newspaper ad. December 21, 1984,
SUPERGIRL THE MOVIE- Edmonton Journal review by John Dodd. December 21, 1984.

December 23, 1984– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs in Canada and on ABC in the U.S.
This would be the third of four showings on ABC and Canadian television, and since the two previous airings had been the extended version of the film, this showing would mark the first time the theatrical version aired on network television in North America.

VIDEO: ABC intro and teaser.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE- ABC intro and teaser. December 23, 1984.

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