2008 Movie News Archives
February 21, 2008: Superman: The Music CD Collection Available Now!
Screen Archives Entertainment and Film Score Monthly's FSM Online have announced the release of "Superman: The Music", an 8-disc CD collection.
- The "Blue Box" is here and it is Superman: The Music (1978-1988), an 8CD set of the complete scores to the four Superman movies starring Christopher Reeve, with music by John Williams (for the original) adapted by his colleagues Ken Thorne and Alexander Courage for the sequels. Bonus discs include music by Ron Jones for a 1988 Superman animated series and source music for the features, all packaged in a deluxe hardcover slipcase with a 160-page illustrated hardcover book.
Superman: The Movie (1978) is a score that needs little introduction -- it is one of John Williams's glorious "blockbuster" works from the late 1970s in which he nearly singlehandedly revived the symphonic film score. Rousing, tuneful and unforgettable, it is one of the lynchpins of any soundtrack collection. The film features a kind of tripartite structure, moving from Superman's origin on planet Krypton (given austere, almost Shakespearean colors) to his teenage years in Smallville (scored with beautiful Coplandesque melodies) and his debut in bustling Metropolis, where the film's action, romance and comedy come to the fore in some of Williams's greatest scoring ever. Like the film itself, Williams's music is a perfect combination of heart, humor, myth and drama.
Williams's music to Superman: The Movie has been released on several occasions, most recently on a 2CD set from Rhino (now out of print). That album, however, was reconstructed using secondary dubbing elements, as the six-track 35mm music masters were unearthed only afterwards. For this definitive presentation, the entire recording has been painstakingly remixed and remastered from that first-generation source, yielding the best sound quality ever. Discs 1 and 2 of this 8CD set present Williams's complete recordings to Superman: The Movie (additional alternates and source music are on disc 8) -- including alternate versions never before heard, such as a powerful early version of the Kryptonian villains' banishment to the Phantom Zone.
John Williams was not available to score the Superman sequels, but in each case his music was adapted and re-recorded by one of his colleagues. For Superman II (1980) and Superman III (1983) that was British composer Ken Thorne, who had a long working relationship with director Richard Lester. For Superman II -- in which Superman deepens his relationship with Lois Lane and fends off the Kryptonian super villains -- Thorne stuck close to Williams's compositions, stretching and reworking them to fit the drama. The result was a score filled with interesting variations on Williams's cues that beautifully supported the new picture. Thorne's score was released on LP by Warner Bros. Records that surfaced on CD only in a long out-of-print Japanese edition (coupled with the Superman III album). This premiere release of the complete score (doubling the playing time) has been entirely remixed from the 35mm music scoring masters and is found on disc 3. (Source music from Superman II is relocated for space purposes to disc 8.)
Superman III found Superman traveling in a lighter direction, to accompany director Lester's sensibilities and that of costar Richard Pryor. Superman defeats a supercomputer financed by industrial tycoon Robert Vaughn and overcomes poisoning by fake kryptonite; his alter ego, Clark Kent, begins a romance with Smallville's Lana Lang (Annette O'Toole). Ken Thorne was given a freer hand with the music and composed a great deal of new material (such as a main title ballet for slapstick on the streets of Metropolis), returning to Williams's themes for key action and character moments more in the Superman mythology. A creative and intriguing work, only 20 minutes of his Superman III score were included on the film's 1983 LP (and aforementioned Japanese CD). Disc 4 features his complete Superman III soundtrack, with alternates and source music (including the five tracks on side two of the LP by composer/producer Giorgio Moroder) on disc 8.
The Holy Grail for Superman music aficionados has been the completely unreleased score to the fourth film, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987), for which Williams's themes were adapted by his longtime friend and occasional collaborator, Alexander Courage. With Superman IV being an attempt -- at least at first -- to restore the quality of the franchise, it was decided that all major John Williams themes would be used (where appropriate) in the new score. What's more, Williams himself contributed three new melodies for Courage's use: "Someone Like You," a sulty, sexy melody (recalling the swinging sixties work of "Johnny" Williams) for Mariel Hemingway's character of a young newspaper executive; "Nuclear Man Theme," a driving action theme for the radioactive villain played by Mark Pillow, treated in versions alternately dramatic and comedic, and -- sure to be a delightful surprise -- "Jeremy's Theme," a lyrical theme for the young boy who appeals to Superman to rid the world of nuclear weapons.
In addition to being the composer of the original Star Trek theme, Alexander Courage was one of the greatest arrangers and orchestrators for Hollywood musicals. That training came to great use in Superman IV as he adapted Williams's melodies into a powerful symphonic work, with imaginative and nuanced renditions of the familiar themes. The film was cut by over a half hour prior to release, with much of Courage's work ending up on the cutting room floor as well. The two-disc presentation of Superman IV (on discs 5 and 6) showcases his score as it was meant to accompany the complete version of the picture -- meaning many cues, some comprising entire sequences, have never been heard in any form. His complete score (recorded for scheduling purposes in both Germany and England) has been newly remixed from the original two-inch multitrack masters.
The second half of disc 6 features the music by the other composer whose work was abridged when Superman IV was cut for release: Paul Fishman, son of composer and music supervisor Jack Fishman and a recording artist with 1980s British techno-pop band Re-Flex. Fishman was hired to provide contemporary pop music primarily for a sequence at the Metro Club discotheque (where the "First Nuclear Man" -- a deleted character -- shows up to battle Superman). When the character and sequence was cut, it resulted in the deletion of most of Fishman's contributions to the movie (and the cancellation of a planned soundtrack album). The artist has personally remixed an eight-selection presentation of his Superman IV work here.
If you were the right age to watch Saturday morning cartoons in 1988, you might remember an above-average Superman animated series that aired on CBS, produced by Ruby-Spears Enterprises. Only 13 episodes were made, but the series was noteworthy for its "Superman's Family Album" vignettes of Superman's childhood in Smallville as well as the high quality of its animation -- and music. Ron Jones (today of Family Guy, then of Duck Tales and Star Trek: The Next Generation) was hired to bring a symphonic feature-film touch to the show's soundtrack. He recorded a combination of original (to-picture) scoring and library music in the style of his powerful Star Trek music of the period -- and the best tradition of Williams's blockbuster work like Star Wars and Superman, one of the inspirations for Jones's career. Ruby-Spears licensed Williams's Superman theme for use in the show's main title; the series' theme was otherwise a similar heroic march written by Jones. Jones's score to the 1988 Superman, some of the best music created for 1980s children's animation, comprises disc 7 of the box set, rounding out a full decade of music for the iconic character.
As indicated above, disc 8 of the set collects alternates and source music for Superman: The Movie, Superman II and Superman III that which would not fit on discs 1-4, respectively. This includes previously unreleased radio source music by John Williams heard only in the extended television broadcast as well as cues written by Ken Thorne for similar purposes in the sequels. The eight discs are packaged in two "clamshell" or "butterfly" cases -- four discs to each case -- and the two cases placed along with a 160-page hardcover book in an equally durable blue slipcase (with silver "S" insignia). The 160-page book sets a new bar for a soundtrack presentation. The table of contents is:
4 Introduction: Music That Becomes an Icon
6 Overview: A History of Heroic Music
8 Superman: The Movie: This Is No Fantasy
11 John Williams: Composer of Legend
29 Disc 1: Superman: The Movie, Part 1
44 Disc 2: Superman: The Movie, Part 2
55 Interview: In Williams's Own Words
58 Musical Analysis: The Making of the "March"
60 Superman II: A Return to Glory
64 Ken Thorne: Composer of Choice
68 Disc 3: Superman II
84 Superman III: Laughter in the Air
87 Disc 4: Superman III
104 Superman IV: The Quest for Peace: Facing New Challenges
109 Alexander Courage: The Consummate Musician
114 Disc 5: Superman IV, Part 1
126 Disc 6: Superman IV, Part 2
133 Source Music and Songs by Paul Fishman
136 Superman (1988): Animated Rebirth
141 Disc 7: Superman (1988)
152 Alternates, Source Music and Songs: Extra!
153 Disc 8: Superman: The Movie, Superman II and Superman III
156 Yes, Giorgio! Songs by Giorgio Moroder
160 Album Production Credits
The scores are essayed in unprecedented cue-by-cue detail, articles augmented by new interview material with John Williams, Ken Thorne, Ron Jones, Paul Fishman, Eric Tomlinson, Angela Morley, Leslie Bricusse, Margot Kidder, Richard Donner, Tom Mankiewicz and Ilya Salkind -- the largest collection of Superman music journalism and documentation ever attempted, written by Mike Matessino, Lukas Kendall and Jeff Eldridge.
Superman: The Music (1978-1988) is produced by Mike Matessino and Lukas Kendall, with art direction by FSM's regular designer, Joe Sikoryak. Our gracious thanks to Warner Bros. Records and Warner Bros. Entertainment who have licensed these historic recordings as well as the photographs and artwork contained in the packaging; the creators for their time and recollections; and the composers and recording artists for their gifts and inspiration, particularly John Williams.
SUPERMAN, SUPERMAN II, SUPERMAN III, SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE and all related characters, names, indicia and photography are trademarks of and ©1978, 1980, 1983, 1987, 1988 DC Comics. Superman: The Movie ©1978 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved. Superman II ©1980 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved. Superman III ©1983 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace ©1987 Cannon Films Inc., Cannon International and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved. Superman ©1988 Hanna-Barbera, Inc. and DC Comics. All rights reserved. Superman: The Movie, Superman II and Superman III [p]2007 Warner Bros. Records Inc. Produced under license from Warner Bros. Records. Previously unreleased score recorded for Superman: The Movie, Superman II and Superman III [p]2007 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace [p]2007 Cannon Films Inc., Cannon International and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Superman [p]2007 Hanna-Barbera, Inc. and DC Comics. Manufactured by Rhino Entertainment Company, 3400 W. Olive Avenue, Burbank CA 91505. Distributed by Film Score Monthly, 6311 Romaine Street, Suite 7109, Hollywood CA 90038. All rights reserved.
Visit ScreenArchives.com to hear sample tracks from all 8 CDs.
2008 Movie News
Listed below are all the Movie News items archived for 2008 organized into various categories:Superman Returns & Sequel/Reboot Movie News:
- January 3, 2008: No Superman for Singer? JLA Movie Delayed?
- January 5, 2008: Routh NOT Out of Superman Sequel
- January 9, 2008: Eddie Yang Reveals Unused Superman Costume Designs
- January 11, 2008: Variety Article on Superman Movie Status
- February 22, 2008: JLA and Superman Movie Rumors
- March 4, 2008: Brandon Routh Talks Superman Sequel
- March 10, 2008: Superman Movie Sequel News
- March 11, 2008: Bryan Singer Talks Superman Sequel
- March 18, 2008: Concept Art From Failed Superman Movie Projects
- March 20, 2008: More Unused Superman Movie Designs
- March 24, 2008: Kevin Spacey on Returning for Superman Sequel
- March 24, 2008: Kate Bosworth Talks Superman Returns and Sequel
- April 1, 2008: Fortress of Solitude Paintings from Superman Returns
- April 22, 2008: Legendary Pictures CEO Talks Superman Sequel
- April 24, 2008: Brandon Routh Video Interview
- April 29, 2008: Brandon Routh Talks Superman Sequel
- May 6, 2008: More From Brandon Routh on Next Superman Movie
- May 20, 2008: Is John Williams Returning to Superman for Man of Steel?
- May 29, 2008: Is Priyanka Chopra Superman's New Love Interest?
- June 22, 2008: Brandon Routh Speculates on Man of Steel Schedule
- June 26, 2008: Mark Millar's Plans for New Superman Movie
- June 27, 2008: Brandon Routh Out and About in L.A.
- July 10, 2008: Superman Movie Quotes, Lies and Casting Calls
- July 11, 2008: Warner Bros. and DC Comics Hold Superhero Summit
- July 21, 2008: Mark Millar on His Ideas for a Superman Movie
- July 24, 2008: Bryan Singer to Produce Capeshooters Movie
- July 28, 2008: Zack Snyder, Superman Seems Too Earnest
- August 4, 2008: Legendary's Thomas Tull Talks Superman Movie Sequel
- August 11, 2008: Morrison, Waid & Meltzer Talk Superman Returns & Reboot
- August 17, 2008: Horn and Noveck Talk Comic Character Movies
- August 19, 2008: Could Superman Fly Without Singer?
- August 22, 2008: Superman Reboot Now Confirmed By Warner Bros. President
- August 22, 2008: TrueHD Treatment for Blu-ray Superman Returns
- August 26, 2008: Industry Reactions to Superman Reboot News
- August 27, 2008: More Reboot Opinions from Superman Identities
- September 3, 2008: Mark Millar's Plans for Superman Trilogy
- September 5, 2008: Speculations and Opinions on Next Superman Movie
- September 13, 2008: More From Mark Millar on His Superman Movie Pitch
- September 23, 2008: James Marsden's Opinion on Superman Returns
- October 2, 2008: Superman and JLA Movie News and Rumors
- October 4, 2008: Rumor Control - Kevin Spacey Interview Causes Stir
- October 9, 2008: Is Brandon Routh Still Superman?
- October 14, 2008: Richard Donner's Thoughts on Superman Films
- October 16, 2008: Superman and Batman Attend Fundraiser
- October 25, 2008: Is John Ottman Returning for Next Superman Movie?
- October 29, 2008: More Details on Mark Millar's Superman Movie Pitch
- October 30, 2008: Brandon Routh's Thoughts on Next Superman Movie
- October 30, 2008: No Superheroes in Nolan's Gotham
- November 1, 2008: More From Brandon Routh on Superman Uncertainty
- November 19, 2008: Bryan Singer Talks Superman... Sort Of
- November 19, 2008: Christopher Reeve's Son Discusses Next Superman Movie
- November 21, 2008: Frank Langella Has Strong Sense About Superman Movie
- December 4, 2008: Geoff Johns Would Love to Script a Superman Movie
- December 5, 2008: Bryan Singer Not Involved in Superman Movie Talks
- December 15, 2008: More Singer Confusion Over Next Superman Movie
- December 17, 2008: Singer's Next Move Uncertain
- December 18, 2008: Alan Horn Says Couple of Years Until Next Superman Movie
- December 23, 2008: Singer Hounded By Superman Questions
- January 3, 2008: No Superman for Singer? JLA Movie Delayed?
- January 8, 2008: Justice League Movie Delayed or Cancelled?
- January 13, 2008: Decision on Justice League Movie in 2 Days
- January 16, 2008: Justice League Movie Delayed
- January 18, 2008: Further Details Regarding JLA Movie Postponement
- January 22, 2008: Megan Gale Confirms Wonder Woman Casting
- February 12, 2008: Justice League Movie Cast News
- February 17, 2008: No Superman or Batman in JLA Movie?
- February 20, 2008: Possible Justice League Movie Location
- February 22, 2008: JLA and Superman Movie Rumors
- February 25, 2008: JLA Movie May Be Made in Canada
- February 26, 2008: JLA Movie's Title and Martian Manhunter
- February 27, 2008: JLA Movie Flying Fast for 2009
- March 2, 2008: Could an Actors Strike Defeat the JLA Movie?
- March 10, 2008: Australian Film Commissioner Talks JLA Movie
- March 18, 2007: JLA Movie Code-Named: 7 Friends
- March 19, 2008: Justice League Movie Refused Tax Rebate
- April 4, 2008: Justice League Movie Tax Rebate Woes and Crew Messages
- April 7, 2008: Justice League Movie Could Move to New Zealand
- April 12, 2008: Jason Reitman Turned Down JLA Movie
- April 16, 2008: Megan Gale Preparing for JLA Movie
- April 22, 2008: Death of the JLA Movie
- June 13, 2008: JLA Movie Still on WB Agenda?
- June 18, 2008: Actor Common Says Still No Word on JLA Movie
- August 3, 2008: Miller Talks Megan Gale and JLA Movie
- August 7, 2008: Jay Baruchel Talks JLA Movie
- August 13, 2008: Justice League Movie - Dead or Alive?
- September 27, 2008: Hammer Talks Batman in JLA Movie
- October 2, 2008: Superman and JLA Movie News and Rumors
- December 3, 2008: George Miller Still on JLA Movie
- January 25, 2008: New Chris Reeve Superman Movie CDs Coming Soon
- February 15, 2008: Darth Vader Dave Prowse Talks About Superman
- February 15, 2008: Superman Brings You the Gift of Music
- February 17, 2008: Superman: The Music Photo Revealed
- February 21, 2008: Superman: The Music CD Collection Available Now!
- February 28, 2008: Interview - Superman: The Music CD Collection
- March 3, 2008: Review of Superman: The Music (1978-1988)
- March 11, 2008: Q&A with Superman: The Music Co-Producer Mike Matessino
- March 19, 2008: John Williams Tribute Concert in Chicago
- March 31, 2008: Initial Run of Superman: The Music Sells Out
- April 1, 2008: 1991 Video of Christopher Reeve Talking About Superman V
- April 1, 2008: Special Superman: The Movie Screening
- April 9, 2008: Ken Thorne Talks Scoring Superman II and III
- April 10, 2008: Christopher Reeve Quote on Superman V
- April 10, 2008: Donruss to Release Margot Kidder Trading Card
- April 14, 2008: Meet Jeff East at ConQuesT 39 Convention
- April 21, 2008: Ilya Salkind Auctions Off Personal Items
- May 1, 2008: Derek Meddings - Special Effects Superman Book
- May 21, 2008: 1990's TV Interview with Chris Reeve
- May 29, 2008: Alexander Courage Dies Aged 88
- June 3, 2008: Superman: The Music CD Collection Back in Stock
- June 12, 2008: Interview with Terence Stamp (General Zod)
- June 22, 2008: Superman Stars at Hollywood Collectors & Celebrities Show
- June 22, 2008: Margot Kidder to Speak Out on Mental Health
- June 24, 2008: Johnny Carson Interviews Christopher Reeve
- June 25, 2008: Superman III Cape Up For Auction
- June 26, 2008: Superman Movies Items on Auction
- July 8, 2008: Margot Kidder Appearing at London Film and Comic Con
- July 8, 2008: Superman II Screening in London
- July 22, 2008: Superman III Cape Swatch in Upper Deck Trading Cards
- August 15, 2008: Superman Movies in Hi-Def VOD
- August 29, 2008: WHV Announces 4 Film Favorite: Superman DVD Collection
- September 10, 2008: Empire Online's 500 Greatest Movies of All Time
- September 15, 2008: Superman: The Movie and Superman II BFI Screening Experience
- October 9, 2008: Sarah Douglas Says Chris Reeve Was Difficult to Work With
- October 10, 2008: Susannah York Appearing at Autographica in London
- October 15, 2008: Superman Celebration at Jules Verne Festival
- October 21, 2008: Comedy Sketch - General Zod Kitchens
- October 24, 2008: Margot Kidder at Armageddon Expo in New Zealand
- October 27, 2008: Richard Donner Receives Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
- December 3, 2008: Best Comic Book Movie Poster - Superman: The Movie
- December 22, 2008: Mark Pillow Talks Superman IV
- January 10, 2008: Duane Capizzi Looks Back at Superman: Doomsday
- January 15, 2008: Official Legion of Super Heroes Website Updated
- January 17, 2008: Justice League: The New Frontier HD DVD Edition Delayed
- January 19, 2008: Justice League: The New Frontier Website Update
- February 9, 2008: Justice League: The New Frontier Soundtrack and Video Clips
- February 11, 2008: Kyle MacLachlan on Voicing Superman in New Frontier
- February 13, 2008: Special Edition New Frontier DVD and Action Figure
- February 13, 2008: Stan Berkowitz Talks Scripting New Frontier
- February 14, 2008: Brooke Shields on Voicing Carol Ferris in New Frontier
- February 15, 2008: Dave Bullock on Directing New Frontier
- February 17, 2008: Jeremy Sisto on Voicing Batman in New Frontier
- February 20, 2008: David Boreanaz on Voicing Green Lantern in New Frontier
- February 28, 2008: Interview with New Frontier Executive Producer Bruce Timm
- February 28, 2008: Interview with New Frontier Voice Director Andrea Romano
- February 29, 2008: New Frontier Interview with Director Dave Bullock
- February 29, 2008: New Frontier Interview with Phil Morris
- March 3, 2008: New Frontier Interview with Darwyn Cooke
- March 3, 2008: New Frontier Interview with Kevin Manthei
- March 7, 2008: Neil Patrick Harris is The Flash in New Frontier
- March 14, 2008: Excellent Sales for Justice League: The New Frontier
- April 30, 2008: Superman: Doomsday Finally Gets an Australian Release
- August 27, 2008: Special Edition Superman: Doomsday on DVD and Blu-ray
- September 9, 2008: Cover Artwork for Special Edition Superman: Doomsday
- January 1, 2008: More Superman Billboards in Movies
- January 16, 2008: Superman Reborn Movie Script Online
- January 30, 2008: Confessions of a Superhero Available on DVD
- March 22, 2008: Helen Slater Appearing in Tulsa, Oklahoma
- April 16, 2008: Superman Serial to Screen in Cleveland Celebration
- April 23, 2008: Brendan Fraser Talks About Almost Being Superman
- May 12, 2008: Mole Man Jerry Maren's Life Story Released
- June 13, 2008: DC Movies versus Marvel Movies
- June 26, 2008: Kirk Alyn Talks About Auditioning for Superman
- July 3, 2008: Will Smith on Why Hancock Suits Him Better Than Superman
- July 7, 2008: Superhero Rumble - Hancock vs Superman
- July 21, 2008: Last Son Documentary Screening in Cleveland
- July 22, 2008: Helen Slater at the Super Megashow and Comicfest
- August 14, 2008: Jon Peters and Stan Lee Planning a DC vs Marvel Movie?
- August 15, 2008: Siegel and Shuster Life Story on Film
- August 19, 2008: Lex Luthor in Green Arrow Movie
- August 20, 2008: Derek Meddings - Special Effects Superman Book
- September 11, 2008: Brendan Fraser Recalls J.J. Abrams' Superman
- September 17, 2008: Brett Ratner and the Superman Movie He Wanted to Make
- October 14, 2008: Kirk Alyn Personal Collection on Auction
- October 18, 2008: New Korean Drama/Comedy Film If I Were Superman
- December 2, 2008: Superman Cameo in Green Lantern Movie
- December 24, 2008: New Fleischer Superman DVD Collection
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