I can't believe I missed the 25th anniversary of the release of the Supergirl movie.
A number of friends have reminded me that the movie was released on November 21, 1984 and I had planned to post on that day. But it just slipped my mind.
However, I do think that the occasion warrants a post of its own. So forgive me for being two days late.
If there is one hole in my Supergirl knowledge, it is the movie. I have said it many times on this blog and unfortunately I have to say it again. I haven't seen the movie in its entirety in probably two decades. I have seen bits and pieces of it on the Internet. And I've always planned on buying the DVD but I've just never come around to it.
It doesn't help that I know that there is a special version of the DVD out there with multiple extras. Clearly that is the version of the movie I should own but it is also the most expensive.
As a Supergirl fan, I can remember loving the movie when it first came out. And it is clear from the scenes that I'm able to see on the Internet that I would probably still enjoy it today albeit in a different way ... more nostalgic.
One thing that is pretty obvious is that Helen Slater was the perfect choice to play Supergirl.
For one thing physically she seems to be the perfect embodiment of Kara Zor-El. But it's more than just having that perfect look. She also played the character with a mix of grace and courage, confidence and exuberance that really marks the Supergirl character. And she struggled, and failed, and got back on her feet and fought on in a believable way. And that is another important aspect of the character.
It is clear when you read interviews about Supergirl with many fans and comic creators, that the movie (while a financial flop) was a major influence on them. I can remember reading in the earliest interviews with Sterling Gates when he had just been named as the writer of the title where he said that he absolutely loved the movie and that was one of his first exposures to the character. Well I don't think that the Supergirl movie has reached the legendary status of the Richard Donner Superman movies it clearly has a fan base.
So happy anniversary to the film, its stars, writers, director, and producers.
And specifically, thank you to Helen Slater for being such a wonderful onscreen presence of Supergirl and for remaining in important and active part of Supergirl fandom.
As always, I would love to hear other people's thoughts or memories about the film. And, just like I did last year around this time, I will try to obtain the film and watch it with some of the holiday loot that I get.
I like it. I know people say it's crap, (no one here obviously!) but I like it. I first saw it as a kid, and similarly to when I watch the Donner Superman movies, I think i watch it with a kid's eye. Sos he is graceful, she is heroic and those scenes in the phantom zone are just gripping.
ReplyDeleteLike you I don't own it tho. I probably should do.
I hope I can catch the directors cut on Blu ray when its finally released. The DVD is currently out of my budget. I like the movie a lot. I think there is a lot to love. My main gripe is the argo city sequence when helen plays Kara as infantile. She doesn't look that young obviously. Once the movie gets going (in the proper cut) its very enjoyable. I think there are places for ZalTar, Nigel and selena in supergirl comics continuity if they are revamped and explored like Ursa and Non. The only part that I really hate is Ethan. He's so....generic. He's not well written, he's not well acted. I could not understand what Kara saw in him. He was more like a puppy than a man. Supergirl in the movies should be explored again, even if its a supporting role at first. She is a worthwhile character and as Sterling and Landry showed us she has a continuity to work with if you have the imagination to put in. I want her to be a challenging character (which is in direct response to a recent post by occasionalsuperheroine who claimed Livewire was 'complicated' in ways supergirl wasn't. It made me itch) She is the voice of young womanhood in the DCU and that is something I think movies need. I'm not saying supergirl should be mean girls with super powers but Kara can helm an epic shown through the eyes of a tough young woman.(because you know, 'issues' do not equal worth or character validity)
ReplyDeleteThe first time I saw Supergirl was on ABC (American Broadcasting Company) one Saturday night circa 1987. I remembered from that time Kara leaving Argo City, the Superman poster, Kara flying through the drainpipe to change into Linda, Zaltar falling victim to the demon storm, and Ethan driving away in his blue pickup truck with Jerry Goldsmith's excellent theme playing at the end of the movie. For whatever reason, until I saw the movie again twenty years later, I thought it was Rue McClanahan from the Golden Girls, not Brenda Vaccaro who got slammed against the wall by Selena. I wish someone would post on Youtube the bumper ("Tonight on the ABC Sunday Night Movie...") for Supergirl.
ReplyDeleteOver a year ago I read the book "Superman vs Hollywood" by Jake Rossen that included a chapter on Supergirl. Afterwards I went on Youtube and saw the complete "Flying Ballet" and was completely mesmerized. I then watched the entire movie and it is now one of my favorite movies, which was ironic because Rossen utterly trashed the movie in his book.
I'm glad to see the movie has garnered new fans over the past 25 years, and that it has played a positive influence over how Supergirl is portrayed today.
I first saw this in Germany when i was little but what got me into the film was the movie storybook that i bought for a $1 at a yard sale,After reading the book i asked my dad when he went to the video store if he could please rent this movie for me,He did and when i watched it i was completely floored by the music and the storyline at the time,(the video was a cut version but i still liked it) I fell in love with the music,Jerry Goldsmith did an excellent job at scoreing Supergirl.My fave music piece was the Love theme and to this day i never get tired of it. Another thing i found out is that there is an extended Love Theme that was never used but is notherless beautiful ,However i have not heard it but hope that if they ever re-release the CD i hope they include it.
ReplyDeleteI also think Helen Slater did an excellent job at playing Kara Zor-el,she played her as a very innocent person who really loves her city and was very intrigue by earth that when she finally went there all she could do was be overwhelm by the beauty that it had,He scene when she pops out the water and lands on earth her expression is like "Wow i am here and this is cool and what is this and this" is priceless.
Faye dunaway as Selena is very entertaining but still i could not help think that she reminds me of mommy dearest.
But notherless I love and enjoyed the movie.I have seen every version there is thru cable,VHS,DVD and there are a lot of different cuts and scenes that i thought made the movie more enjoyable. A scene that i remember that wasn't in the new version of the dvds was on a vhs tape that was recorded on one of the ABC movie nights and the scene was when Selena was sucked thru the mirror and Nigel walks up to the mirror and touches it and asked himself "where did you go?" . After seeing the new dvd and directors cut,i didn't see it on any of the release versions after. So i wonder what happened to it?
But anyway Happy 25th anniversary.
You know I don't even remember the first time I saw the movie and don't even think I've ever seen it in its entirety. I just always remember knowing there was a Supergirl and that she was Superman's cousin primarily from the movie.
ReplyDeleteI do think it was a cute movie and Helen was did such a wonderful job portraying Kara. She was, as I've said before, the film's saving grace. Now I'll go ahead and go out on a limb and say the movie was a financial flop in addition to being a silly mess of a plot. Now before anyone decides to get their spears or ropes, I want to say I love and enjoy the movie. I think it has a pure fun and nostalgic feel and shouldn't be taken too seriously. I also think the movie had so many things conspiring against it that it was doomed from the start. As others have mentioned, we've all heard about the various cuts and that a substantial amount of scenes that would've helped the movie seem more coherent and make more sense ended up on the cutting room floor. We know that Christopher Reeve was supposed to be in the movie to more firmly tie it to the Donner Superman films, but I believe he got into some dispute with the movie producers and backed out. Having a more substantial tie to the other films would've helped. Unfortunately simply having Lucy Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and a Superman poster on Lucy's wall just didn't cut it in that regard. I think the plot was just silly. Supergirl was fighting a witch? And over a boy? I think Selena came off as a very campy character and concept. I don't know if that is the result of Faye Dunaway or more scenes being cut. I think maybe a more substantial villain and plot (ala the Superman films) would've been a better way to go. Yes, I know the Omegahedron was also part of the plot, but I think that just got lost in Supergirl and Selena battling over this boy. Even Helen herself said in an interview on VH1 that "even she couldn't explain it" when trying to talk about the plot.
The two scenes of note I wish had been left in and/or fleshed out more? I think the full flying ballet scene should've been left in as it really showcases Kara first realizing her abilities and being in awe of them. She is so elegant and graceful when she's flying in this scene. I've read there is footage more clearly explaining where Argo is and how it came to be in this pocket of space. That should've definitely been left in. People who weren't comics fans probably had no idea it was originally a part of Krypton. I also wish the whole scene where she emerges from the lake in her Supergirl uniform was fleshed out and explained. I think I've read that there is some more footage regarding that scene as well. How and why did her orb that she was traveling in get to and emerge from a lake on Earth? I've always wondered that. How and why did she emerge with the Supergirl uniform on? I've always scratched my head with that one. Maybe I'm missing something. Tell me if I am. Haha! :)
I love this movie and wish it commanded the same regard and respect that the Donner films do. I wish it was mentioned along with those films whenever people talk about them, but it usually isn't. I am glad, though, that it has a substantial following and fanbase. I'm even more glad that Helen to this day embraces that fanbase and her role in the film. She's really done her part to give back to us. Thank you for that, Helen.
November 23, 2009 9:38 PM
Saw this in the movie theater on its opening weekend in 1984, to think it represented our high water mark as Supergirl fans.
ReplyDeleteI recall thinking that it was a wonderful luminous performance from Helen Slater then a mere nineteen years old and acting her heart out in a last ditch bid to redeem mediocre material, and what the hell she almost pulls it off.
Ironic to note that Dick Giordano, Marv Wolfman and Jeanette Kahn had likely already signed the character's death warrant by then...And YES I am still angry about that!
Supergirl should have been intro'd as a new supporting character in a Reeves movie (she was originally slated to debut in Superman III no less against Brainiac and Mxyztplk) or else drop her down into a syndicated TV series a'la the Superboy franchise.
Slater would have done very well as Supergirl on TV, she has the kind of talent that wears well on audiences on a weekly basis.
There are some actresses though, that are born to the comic book part, Julie Newmar as Catwoman, Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman and to that list we can add Helen Slater as Supergirl. It is a pretty classy sorority all told...good company to be sure.
John Feer
I recently re watched this movie along with Smallville Season 7 and later it's 'Supergirl Commentary' bonus and it seems to this very day Paul Levitz himself actually states that when he thinks of Supergirl he immediately envision Helen Slater and really gives her very high praise for being able to pull off our fave heroine come the big screen treatment.
ReplyDeleteTrivia: did y'all know that originally the role of "Selena" was meant to have been played by Dolly Parton who unable to commit to the project in the end had 'em going with Faye Dunaway instead? It's true. ;)
I'd love to see either Laura Vandervoort or Decoda(sp?) Fanning (she's surprisingly just about 16 now and it really shows in Twilight: New Moon) in an all new Supergirl movie with Helen Slater either playing Alura or even reprising her role as Lara even.
ArgoCity Cub wrote:
ReplyDelete"A scene that i remember that wasn't in the new version of the dvds was on a vhs tape that was recorded on one of the ABC movie nights and the scene was when Selena was sucked thru the mirror and Nigel walks up to the mirror and touches it and asked himself "where did you go?" . After seeing the new dvd and directors cut,i didn't see it on any of the release versions after. So i wonder what happened to it?"
Interesting, I heard there is a 150 minute version of the film, so that scene you mentioned with Nigel and the mirror might be part of that. When I read the paperback novel of the movie, it had a scene with Kara cutting her hair with her heat vision and a bathroom mirror while talking to Lucy who is on the other side of the bathroom door. I am not sure if that scene was ever filmed.
Another scene I heard of was Selena turning a protestor into ice in front of her car after sending Supergirl into the Phantom Zone. That might have been filmed because there is a puddle in front of Selena's car while Jimmy and Lucy are forced into the police van. Wonder why that scene wasn't included in the director's cut?
I would love to see a tape of the ABC broadcast of Supergirl.
Jason wrote:
ReplyDelete"I think the plot was just silly."
I agree the plot could have been better, love triangles rarely work in movies *COUGH* Pearl Harbor *COUGH* I read that writer David Odell (who wrote the Dark Crystal, and why we have the fantasy elements in the movie) did his research at a comic book convention, and in my opinion cherry picked certain elements from her comics and then tried to mix them together. In fairness to Odell, Christopher Reeve backing out from the movie, and director Jeannot Szwarc's not wanting to show Krypton blowing up at the beginning (feeling that it was already done in the first Superman movie) did not make his job any easier.
"I've always wondered that. How and why did she emerge with the Supergirl uniform on? I've always scratched my head with that one."
In the movie commentary, Szwarc conceeded that they did not try to explain that. Cool scene though...
Talos wrote:
ReplyDelete"Trivia: did y'all know that originally the role of "Selena" was meant to have been played by Dolly Parton who unable to commit to the project in the end had 'em going with Faye Dunaway instead? It's true. ;)"
Producer Alexander Salkind wanted to cast Brooke Shields as Supergirl while Ilya fought for Helen Slater and won. Thank goodness for that. Ilya has said in later years that the movie would have been better if his father won that arguement, but I could not disagree more with that assertion.
John Feer wrote:
ReplyDelete"Supergirl should have been intro'd as a new supporting character in a Reeves movie"
You know what would have been cool? Have Martha Kent in "Superman Returns" mention to Clark that a blond haired girl wearing a suit similiar to his was seen briefly above northern Illinois while he was away in deep space.
Well that is my own personal "Supergirl Returns" scenario, she saved Argo City and recovered the Omegahedron but returned immediately to our universe to search for Kal El. Perfect motivation for a sequel based on the plotpoints furnished in the earlier films eh?
ReplyDeleteThis film and the Crisis on Infinite Earths are inexorably linked in my mind. If the last time I saw my favorite Supergirl incarnation doin' good, up there flying around intent on her job was Helen Slater well, then that was pretty reasonable comfort for the next twenty two years of exile from DC continuity.
John Feer
Wasn't Superman 3 meant to be Supergirl being found by Brainiac on Colu and the ensuing love triangle between Kara, Superman and Brainiac. Someone got things very mixed up there.
ReplyDeleteI first saw it as a kid, and similarly to when I watch the Donner Superman movies, I think i watch it with a kid's eye.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you.
You need to watch this movie with a sense of wonder. It's in that state of mind that you will get the most enjoyment out of it.
She is a worthwhile character and as Sterling and Landry showed us she has a continuity to work with if you have the imagination to put in. I want her to be a challenging character (which is in direct response to a recent post by occasionalsuperheroine who claimed Livewire was 'complicated' in ways supergirl wasn't. It made me itch) She is the voice of young womanhood in the DCU and that is something I think movies need.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great post.
I agree with you that the character if done correctly could certainly succeed in the movies. We've already seen her popularity on television and Smallville and she wasn't always written well there.
And I don't know what to say about the LiveWire comment. It makes me bristle as well.
Even Helen herself said in an interview on VH1 that "even she couldn't explain it" when trying to talk about the plot.
ReplyDeleteThe plot is inscrutable. I agree that you need to watch this movie with a sense of nostalgia. To try to watch it as a serious film would be difficult.
But I think we all agree that Slater did a good job with the "feel" of Supergirl.
There are some actresses though, that are born to the comic book part, Julie Newmar as Catwoman, Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman and to that list we can add Helen Slater as Supergirl. It is a pretty classy sorority all told...good company to be sure.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Julie Newmar will always be Catwoman to me.
I also think that if Supergirl is ever done again, either in movies or television, that actress will be compared to Helen Slater. You're right, Slater is in good company.
Interesting, I heard there is a 150 minute version of the film, so that scene you mentioned with Nigel and the mirror might be part of that.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that there are that many versions of this film out there. You all are making me guilty for not having seen even the most basic version and so many years.
And I am the guy that has every version of Blade Runner there is.
Nikki wrote:
ReplyDelete"Wasn't Superman 3 meant to be Supergirl being found by Brainiac on Colu and the ensuing love triangle between Kara, Superman and Brainiac. Someone got things very mixed up there."
True, that was the original proposal Ilya Salkind wrote, but Warners Brothers rejected it.
Is it just me, or do movie franchises decline in quality when they release their third film?
Anj wrote:
ReplyDelete"I can't believe that there are that many versions of this film out there. You all are making me guilty for not having seen even the most basic version and so many years."
Hopefully Warner Brothers will release the 150 minute version one day.
I have the DVD of the Director's Cut.
ReplyDeleteIt's the new one, though.
...
...
"Is it just me or do movie franchises decline in quality when they release their third film?"
I think it's the industry.
Look at the Spiderman series. Spiderman 3 stunk and Batman Forever....
Well... It did remind me of the Adam West Batman but, they made it campy-too campy for my taste.
....
Hopefully,Gene, From your mouth to DC's ears.
-ealperin