Superman films on television

With the exception of "Superman Returns" (2006), which as of March 29, 2008, has yet to make its broadcast television premiere, all five "Superman" films (including 1984's "Supergirl" film) have been expanded somewhat for network and syndicated television. This was originally the result of the Alexander and Ilya Salkind (the producers of the first three films starring Christopher Reeve as well as "Supergirl") charging TV stations and networks for every minute their films were telecast.

"Superman: The Movie"

When the rights to the first film reverted to the Salkinds in 1981, it was their intention to prepare a television cut longer than what was released theatrically for the economic reasons explained above. The so-called "Salkind International Extended Cut", which ended up running 3 hours, 8 minutes (and will be explained further later), was shown internationally on television, and it is from this cut that later domestic TV versions were derived.

American Broadcasting Company telecasts

The first network American television broadcast of "Superman: The Movie" occurred in February 1982 on ABC [ [http://www.supermanii.com/siiweb/sii%20behind-the-scenes/SMT_165.html Sunday, February 7th. 9:00-11:00 p.m.- ABC airs part 1 of 'Superman The Movie' with footage not seen in theatres.] ] [ [http://www.supermanii.com/siiweb/sii%20behind-the-scenes/SMT_168.html Monday, February 8th. 9:00-11:00 p.m.- ABC airs part 2 of 'Superman The Movie' with footage not seen in theatres.] ] . The principal sponsor for the telecasts was Atari. ABC, at the time, had a contract with producer Alexander Salkind for the television rights to his films. ABC's 3 hour-2 minute cut [ [http://www.supermanhomepage.com/movies/movies.php?topic=m-movie1 Superman: The Movie ran 2 hr 43 min in its original theatrical version. For the video release the film was edited to 2 hr 23 min and condensed at high speed to fit a 2 hr cassette. The ABC-TV/CTV-TV 1982 versions added additional unused footage to expand the movie to 3 hr 3 min, while KCOP in Los Angeles expanded it further to 3 hrs 8 min in 1994.] ] of "Superman" was originally broadcasted over the course two nights [ [http://66.218.69.11/search/cache?ei=UTF-8&p=KCOP+Superman&fr=yfp-t-501&u=www.capedwonder.com/newwebsite/pages/si-ii.htm&w=kcop+superman&d=c1f7NfH_Qc_H&icp=1&.intl=us The first U.S. telecast of the extended version of “Superman” came on February 7 and 8, 1982, when ABC broadcast “Superman” as a two-part movie event during its “sweeps” month. The running time of the ABC telecast came to 182 minutes, minus commercials. The first part ended on a cliffhanger note during the helicopter sequence, with the movie stopping in mid-action and the words “To Be Continued” superimposed onto the screen. A brief preview of the following night’s conclusion was shown, along with a slightly edited version of the end credits - only the final title card “Next Year: Superman II” was removed from the televised broadcast. The second part began with a brief reprise of the main title credits, a quick recap of events narrated by the late Ernie Anderson (who also narrated the documentaries “The Making of Superman” and “The Making of Superman II”), followed by the movie’s continuation. It was during the second part’s telecast that some moments from the film were edited for time constraints, to fit the second half of the film into a two-hour time slot. Among the moments missing from the film were the complete version of Superman and Lois’ night flight, parts of the dialog between Luthor and Miss Teschmacher discussing Superman’s first appearance in Metropolis, portions of the missile hijacking sequence and Clark Kent at the Daily Planet, and other secondary moments. Both parts of the extended telecast of “Superman” garnered very high and very successful Nielsen ratings for the month, at numbers 2 and 1, respectively.] ] . On the first night it premiered, the film stopped when Lois Lane was falling from the helicopter (the picture froze, creating a cliffhanger-type of ending part one [ [http://www.supermanii.com/siiweb/sii%20behind-the-scenes/SMT_166.html Sunday, February 7th. 9:00-11:00 p.m.- ABC airs part 1 of 'Superman The Movie' with footage not seen in theatres.] ] ). The next evening, there was naturally, a recap before the film continued [ [http://www.supermanii.com/siiweb/sii%20behind-the-scenes/SMT_169.html Monday, February 8th. 9:00-11:00 p.m.- ABC airs part 2 of 'Superman The Movie' with footage not seen in theatres.] ] until the very the end. This expanded version was repeated in November of the same year [ [http://www.supermanii.com/siiweb/sii%20behind-the-scenes/SMT_174.html Sunday, November 14th. 8:00-11:45 p.m.- ABC re-airs 'Superman The Movie' with footage not seen in theatres.] ] , only this time, shown in one night [ [http://66.218.69.11/search/cache?ei=UTF-8&p=KCOP+Superman&fr=yfp-t-501&u=www.capedwonder.com/newwebsite/pages/si-ii.htm&w=kcop+superman&d=c1f7NfH_Qc_H&icp=1&.intl=us The second U.S. telecast of the extended version of “Superman” came in November 1982, this time in a four-hour time slot during Thanksgiving weekend. The film once again contained nearly all of the same edits and inclusions, with the only exceptions of the helicopter sequence shown in its entirety and a commercial break following Superman’s rescue of Air Force One. This would be the last time ABC would telecast the extended version of the film, as all subsequent showings of “Superman” would be relegated to the original theatrical version in a three-hour time slot.] ] . The next two ABC showings after that was the original, theatrical version. Apparently, in their contract with ABC, Salkinds were able to get money for every minute of footage shown on TV. So as a result, they crammed in as much footage as possible for the TV networks in order to maximize their revenues. During production of the film, the Salkinds were relegated to having to sell more and more of their rights back to Warner Bros. in exchange for financial help. Director Richard Donner was not consulted [ [http://66.218.69.11/search/cache?ei=UTF-8&p=KCOP+Superman&fr=yfp-t-501&u=www.capedwonder.com/newwebsite/pages/si-ii.htm&w=kcop+superman&d=c1f7NfH_Qc_H&icp=1&.intl=us As the film and its sequels enjoyed its popularity in the early 1980’s, producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind took it upon themselves to prepare the film for its eventual television broadcast. In order to market the film to television stations around the world, the Salkinds re-edited the film with approximately 45 minutes of additional footage not released in theaters. Whereas Richard Donner had complete directorial control in editing the film for theatrical release, the Salkinds had control of the film for international distribution and television marketing, and the film was re-edited without Donner’s approval. The added footage brought the running time of the film to 188 minutes, the longest known version of the film to be assembled and shown to audiences around the world.] ] on any of the extended versions. However, due to a clause in his contract, Donner's name remains in the credits (this was before the term "Alan Smithee" became well known).

Additional footage

Some 40 minutes of footage were reinstated for the initial ABC-TV telecasts of the film [ [http://66.218.69.11/search/cache?ei=UTF-8&p=KCOP+Superman&fr=yfp-t-501&u=www.capedwonder.com/newwebsite/pages/si-ii.htm&w=kcop+superman&d=c1f7NfH_Qc_H&icp=1&.intl=us Many additional moments fleshed out the story even further, with additional scenes involving a longer discussion between Jor-El and the Kryptonian Council on the Phantom Zone, the Council dispatching a security officer to investigate a series of power drains from Jor-El’s quarters, additional moments extending the destruction of the planet Krypton, an additional clip involving Jonathan and Martha Kent discovering the infant Kal-El, additional scenes involving the teenaged Clark Kent in Smallville, an extended version of the building of the Fortress of Solitude and Clark’s interaction with the spirit of Jor-El, additional moments with Clark and Lois at the Daily Planet and Metropolis, an extended introduction to Lex Luthor, Otis, and Miss Teschmacher, additional clips of Superman during his first night in Metropolis, a brief cameo appearance from Richard Donner, an additional moment involving Otis and Miss Teschmacher discussing Superman’s background, an extended version of the missile hijacking, Superman searching for Luthor and running the gauntlet of doom, additional moments involving the military’s reaction to the missiles’ trajectory malfunction, extended dialog between Superman and Miss Teschmacher, an added scene of Superman intercepting one of the missiles, several added moments of Superman counteracting the West Coast peril, an added moment between Superman and Jimmy Olsen, added dialog between Lois and Jimmy toward the end of the film, and Superman rescuing Miss Teschmacher from Luthor’s “babies”. Fans rejoiced at seeing these additional scenes for the first time, as they truly began to paint a larger tapestry of Superman’s first cinematic adventure.] ] . Among the highlighted moments:

*A subplot of an Executioner (a Kryptonian security officer) being sent by the council to hunt down and kill Jor-El (while the beginning of the scene is shown in the 2000 director's cut restoration, the "payoff" [with him getting killed] is not in the latter version).

*When Superman is trying to get to Lex Luthor's underground hideout, he is subjected to machine gun fire, a giant blow torch, and is frozen in ice. A tiny fraction of this footage was used in the theatrical version "Superman II" (directed by Richard Lester), in the scene where Superman's powers are stripped away by the molecule chamber in the Fortress of Solitude.

*Lex Luthor plays the piano in several scenes.

*After Superman saves Lois at the end and flies off, he's seen rescuing Eve Tessmacher from the lions' den where, Lex had dropped her in.

*The little girl who sees the teenage Clark Kent running faster than the train is revealed to be Lois Lane, a fact revealed when her parents talk to her by name. This revelation scene is not present in the shorter theatrical release. Only in the ABC version are young Lois Lane and her father seen in the train. Also the ABC version, Otis' walk down the street is longer.

*Nearly all of John Williams' score is restored (some of which was dialed out of the theatrical cut).

1985-1988

When the rights reverted back to Warner Bros. in 1985, CBS aired the film one last time on network television in its theatrical version. When "Superman: The Movie" entered the syndication [ [http://www.supermanii.com/siiweb/sii%20behind-the-scenes/SMT_194.html Monday, May 14th. 7:00-10:00 p.m.- WPIX New York airs the theatrical version of 'Superman The Movie'.] ] market in 1988 (following a play-out run on pay cable [ [http://www.supermanii.com/siiweb/sii%20behind-the-scenes/SMT_157.html HBO premieres the theatrical version of 'Superman The Movie'. Sunday, October 12th.- 7:00-9:30 p.m. Thursday, October 16th.- 7:30-10:00 p.m. Monday, October 20th.- 9:00-11:30 p.m. Saturday, October 25th.- 3:30-6:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 29th.- 11:30 p.m-2:00 a.m.] ] [ [http://66.218.69.11/search/cache?ei=UTF-8&p=KCOP+Superman&fr=yfp-t-501&u=www.capedwonder.com/newwebsite/pages/si-ii.htm&w=kcop+superman&d=c1f7NfH_Qc_H&icp=1&.intl=us Home Box Office would soon come to the rescue. In October 1980 HBO showcased the first telecast of “Superman”, and this would mark the first time since the film’s 1978 theatrical release that fans would be able to view the film in as complete a format as possible. (HBO would occasionally present their own full-frame versions of films that were different in panning and scanning as opposed to their home video counterparts, which they, along with some fans, felt deserved a much better video presentation, in order to provide viewers with a vastly improved product in terms of picture content, quality, and presentation. Among the films HBO provided alternate full-frame presentations during the 1980s were “Superman”, the original “Star Wars”, “Supergirl”, and “St. Elmo’s Fire”, among others.) The running time on this version of “Superman” was 142 minutes, a significant improvement from the original VHS release at 127 minutes, and while it provided viewers with a better product in terms of presentation, there were some minor nips and tucks along the way. The HBO telecast version of “Superman” would be repeated twice more in 1981, and it has not since been shown in this version to this date. It is also unknown as of this writing if anyone managed to record this version of “Superman”.] ] ) TV stations were offered the extended cut or the theatrical cut. The stations that showed the extended cut [ [http://66.218.69.11/search/cache?ei=UTF-8&p=KCOP+Superman&fr=yfp-t-501&u=www.capedwonder.com/newwebsite/pages/si-ii.htm&w=kcop+superman&d=c1f7NfH_Qc_H&icp=1&.intl=us By 1990 the extended version of “Superman” had entered into syndication. By this time three more theatrical sequels had been released, along with the failed theatrical spin-off “Supergirl” and the successful syndicated series “The Adventures of Superboy”, again produced (with the exception of “Superman IV”) by the Salkinds. With the extended version of “Superman” now in local hands, television stations could be free to edit the film as they saw fit or broadcast it either over two nights or in a four-hour time slot. One of the most widely seen syndicated versions of the film had been as a two-part telecast, with the first part edited and shown very much like the 1982 ABC telecast and ending in the same cliffhanger moment during the helicopter sequence. The second part, however, suffered the most edits, as the film began with a 20-minute recap of moments from the first part. This led into the continuation of the helicopter sequence, followed by the remainder of the film in a very heavily edited form. More of the footage from the original theatrical version had been removed in favor of the majority of the extended sequences, and in some instances a number of the extended sequences had also been removed, in order to keep the second part within a two-hour format. When removing all of the commercial breaks from both of the telecasts, followed by the end credits shown during the first part, and the recap from the beginning of the second part, the film ran approximately 160 minutes long. Fans wondered if the complete extended version of “Superman” would ever be seen in the United States.] ] edited the second half to squeeze in commercials and 'What happened yesterday flashbacks'.

The "Salkind International Extended Cut"/"KCOP Version"

In May 1994 (following a pay cable reissue and obligatory run on USA Network), Warner Bros. offered the aforementioned "Salkind International Extended Cut" (a 3-hour, 8-minute version, prepared by the Salkinds, and from which the ABC version was derived), which was shown in Los Angeles on KCOP [ [http://www.supermanii.com/siiweb/sii%20behind-the-scenes/SMT_191.html Tuesday, November 22nd. 8:00-11:00 p.m.- KCOP L.A. airs the theatrical version of 'Superman The Movie'.] ] [ [http://66.218.69.11/search/cache?ei=UTF-8&p=KCOP+Superman&fr=yfp-t-501&u=www.capedwonder.com/newwebsite/pages/si-ii.htm&w=kcop+superman&d=c1f7NfH_Qc_H&icp=1&.intl=us It would not be until 1994 that American audiences first saw the complete extended version of the film. KCOP-TV in Los Angeles, at the time a syndicated television station, ran the Salkind international version of “Superman” on its network, marking the first time that the complete extended version of the film had been shown on television in the United States. Foreign markets had been showing the Salkind international cut for years prior to 1994, but it was not until KCOP-TV had acquired the broadcast rights to the film that viewers would see for themselves just how much had been missing from the film and its previous extended TV broadcasts. It was this telecast that became a highly sought collectible by fans, continuing to this day. Meanwhile, European and Australian markets screened the complete 188-minute Salkind international version regularly, beginning in 1982. All of the footage that had been excised from the ABC telecasts and the 1990 syndicated TV broadcast, including the trimmed nude footage and the profanity, was preserved in the film. But the most significant footage did not occur until halfway through the broadcast. Following Superman’s rescue of Air Force One, the film showed a new scene of Superman conversing with the spirit of his father Jor-El in the Fortress of Solitude. This scene marked the only on-screen dialog between actors Christopher Reeve and Marlon Brando in the film (though the two had filmed other scenes for “Superman II”). Using music lifted from the cue “Destruction of Krypton” from the original soundtrack, the new sequence added significant emotional depth to Superman’s character. This marked the first time that the complete extended version of "Superman" was shown on television. Viewers were also treated to additional footage between Lex Luthor and Otis, as well as a large amount of footage focusing on comic moments between Luthor, Otis, and Miss Teschmacher during the missile hijacking. Another sequence that first appeared in the KCOP telecast was a re-edited version of Jimmy Olsen at Hoover Dam, followed by an alternate introduction of Lois’ interview with the Indian chief. This sequence is of importance because it uses as an underscore an alternate version of “Misguided Missiles” that omits the Love Theme motif from the track. (This cue remains unreleased to date in an official capacity.) Another scene extension that makes its first appearance in the KCOP telecast is a discussion between the Army general and a senator about the cost of the XK-101 project. The scene was trimmed from the ABC telecast due to the presence of profanity in the scene: “Two hundred eighty million dollars spent on this project, and not a (profanity deleted) thing we can do about it.”] ] . This version also surfaced outside of Los Angeles. For example, WJLA Channel 7, an ABC affiliate out of Washington, D.C. aired the "Salkind International Extended Cut" on Saturday, July 27, 1994. Part one aired from 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. before breaking for 30 minutes of news. Part two was then aired from 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Internationally

The extended version of "Superman: The Movie" has never been broadcast in England. The first showing of the theatrical version on UK-TV appeared on January 4, 1983 on ITV. In 1985, Ireland's RTE television aired the extended versions of "Superman: The Movie" and "Superman II" in one night. The films ran from roughly 3:00 until 9:00 including the odd commercial and a break for the 6:00 news.

Quality and availability of extended version

The quality of the extended network TV version is inferior to any theatrical or current home video release because it was mastered in 16mm (using the "film chain system") and a mono sound mix done as by the time the extended cut was prepared in 1981, TV was not yet broadcasting in stereo. Eight of the 45 minutes of extended scenes that were used in the later 2000 director's cut restoration were taken from restored elements.

The extended TV version has never been made available officially on home video/DVD, although bootleg copies have surfaced in sci-fi conventions and on Internet forums.

"Superman II"

American Broadcasting Company version

When "Superman II" was first screened on American network television, in 1984 on ABC [ [http://www.supermanii.com/siiweb/sii%20behind-the-scenes/SMT_184.html Monday, February 20th. 8:00-11:00pm- ABC airs 'Superman II' featuring footage not seen in theatres. Some of the added footage include scenes filmed by Richard Donner.] ] , 17 minutes of new footage was featured. Again, the extended TV cut was mastered in 16mm, and was in mono sound. Much of the extended footage was shot by the original director, Richard Donner [ [http://www.supermansupersite.com/movie2.html To further add to the confusion, network TV broadcasts of the film in the late 1980s contained extra material from the Donner version that had not been seen in the original theatrical release] ] , before Richard Lester took over [ [http://www.supermanhomepage.com/movies/movies.php?topic=m-movie2 ABC-TV and CTV (Canadian) did use some of the original Donner footage (along with commercials) to expand the movie to 2 hr 21 min for television broadcast over two nights. There are some interesting differences between the two television versions. In the American version, the White House fight scene goes on for nearly 4 minutes, while that scene is no more than one minute in the CTV version. Also in the US version, Superman uses his heat vision to cook a souffle for his dinner with Lois in the Fortress while this was cut in the Canadian version. In both versions, Superman destroys the Fortress of Solitude (which somehow reappears in Superman IV) at the end of this film. However, this takes only 30 seconds in the US version, while the CTV versions uses the time it saved by cutting the White House fight scene to insert 5 minutes of important conversation between Superman and Lois as they profess their mutual love and loss to each.] ] . Other footage are alternate versions of existing scenes [ [http://members.aol.com/megadethdc/s2facts.htm The "special edition" broadcast on ABC-TV not only has additional footage, but alternate takes of original scenes, particularly the Luthor/Otis discussion of the little black box while they are in the prison laundromat. ] ] involving Lex Luthor in prison and the Fortress of Solitude. The extended cuts feature an extra 20%-25% of Donner footage. Very little of Richard Lester's footage was added to any of the broadcasts.

Also, the network version has an alternate ending where Lex Luthor is arrested and taken away by the Arctic Police (and, if you look closely, the three Phantom Zone villains are also arrested and taken away!), thus explaining Luthor's appearance in "". In the theatrical version directed by Richard Lester, Luthor was simply seen left stranded at the fortress by Superman and Lois Lane.

The extended version of "Superman II" ran on ABC three times, in 1984, 1986, and 1988. In the final rebroadcast in 1988, two more scenes were inserted into the film, both towards the end of the film, the scenes where Luthor is trying to negotiate and when Superman and Lois kiss with extra dialogue.

Additional footage in the ABC-TV version

*In the ABC-TV version, Superman passes a Concorde [ [http://members.aol.com/megadethdc/s2facts.htm The sequence of Superman's flight alongside the Concorde was originally filmed in 1977 to be part of the original "Superman". If you watch the footage carefully, you can see how the footage looks a little grainier, it belonged in just before Superman talks to his father about his first night in the extended version. Both Alexander and Ilya Salkind were considered for brief cameos as the pilots of the Concorde. But in the extended version of "Superman II", music for the scene was lifted from the scene where Clark Kent runs into the alley and changes into Superman.] ] jet on his way to Paris. This is not in the video release.
*At the end of the film, Clark Kent bumps into a large bald guy, which reminds him to go to the diner to face the obnoxious trucker who beat him up earlier.
*Superman destroys the Fortress of Solitude.
*The Phantom Zone villains land outside the Fortress of Solitude with Lex Luthor and Lois Lane, trying to figure out how to get in.
*Extended scenes of the three Kryptonians invasion of the White House, with Zod using a gun and Non frightening a dog.
*Superman cooks souffle using his heat vision, during dinner with Lois.
*Extended discussion between Zod and Ursa on the moon.
*The three Kryptonian villains are arrested in the TV version.

Much of the added footage was later restored for the 2006 "".

Edits for content

*Much violence in the opening White House scene was left out.
*Much of the bully's line in the bar ("I don't like your meat anyway!") was altered to "I don't like you anyway" as the original line was too sexually suggestive for ABC.
*About 35 seconds of the "battle of Metropolis Road" (Superman flying over Metropolis River) was deleted.
*Some language and profanity were re-dubbed.

Canadian version

During the 1980s, CFCF12 cable 11 screened an edition of "Superman II" that was differently edited to that to the one shown on in the United States on ABC. This particular version has only been screened once in Canada. The first Canadian broadcast of "Superman II" had an additional few seconds of dialogue as Luthor and Miss Tessmacher were stopped on a snow bank admiring the Fortress of Solitude. In the first U.S. broadcast (the same evening), the scene begins abruptly as Luthor starts the snow mobile immediately after the dialogue sequence.

Scenes seen in the Canadian version but not in the ABC version include:
*A little girl watching the destruction of East Houston by the Kryptonians on TV.
*Longer conversation between Lois and Superman after he destroys the Fortress of Solitude.
*Lex Luthor taking Perry White's coffee during the Times Square battle.
*Lex and Miss Tessmacher admiring the Fortress of Solitude.
*Lex's negotiating with Superman after they leave the fortress is longer.

Other international versions

All the footage mentioned that had been added for various network telecasts were incorporated into an even longer cut of the film that aired in some countries in Europe (the other U.S./Canadian cuts were derived from this version). Prepared by the Salkinds' production company, it is this 146-minute version that some Superman fans remastered from the best-possible materials into a professionally-made "Restored International Cut" DVD for availability on one of the many Superman fan sites. However, such plans backfired when Warner Bros. threatened legal action against the bootleg release. The RIC, like the longer version of "Superman", may still be found on Internet forums and in sci-fi conventions.

"Superman III"

American Broadcasting Company version

[
Superman III".] When "Superman III" was released in the summer of 1983, it had a running time of 125 minutes. An extended cut was first shown on ABC in 1986 with an extra 16 minutes of added footage [ [http://www.supermanhomepage.com/movies/movies.php?topic=m-movie3 In 1986, ABC presented an extended version of this film, which ran only once, adding 16 minutes of footage to beef up the action and demeanor of the film to run 2 hrs and 21 min (141 min).] ] (thus, increasing the running time to 141 minutes). Just like with the previous two films, this extended edition was produced by Alexander Salkind's company.

Title sequence

This version used a separate title sequence similar to the original "Superman: The Movie" titles (i.e. fancy, over-the-top neon blue credits in outer space), with adapted John Williams theme [ [http://www.supermancinema.co.uk/superman3/general/extrafootage/s3_extopeningcredits.mp3 Download the music] ] ("Superman March"). The theatrical and home video versions had difficult-to-read titles over opening an slapstick sequence. The TV main title sequence was prepared presumably to pad out the extended version's running time. The unemployment office scene featuring Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor) now comes after the credits, with a few extras in the background. Because of this, the following slapstick scene now plays without superimposed credits.

Pan & scan

Some of the pan & scan processing is different from the home video version. For instance, in the scene where Ross, Vera and Lorelei are ballooning down, Vera says "Out of my way!" In the home video version, both Vera and Lorelei can be seen in the shot, but in the TV version, only Vera can be seen at that particular shot. And in other bits of the film the tops of peoples heads are cut off, most noticeable in the scene where Gus is pretending to be the General.

Additional footage

The Metropolis scenes are not in widescreen and has two extra scenes::a) The thief's bag of loot being accidentally lifted by a construction ladder.:b) The thief realizes his newly acquired fortune has disappeared.:c) He spots his bag and can't reach it. He yells "stop thief!":d) After Superman rescues the man drowning in his car: A mother places her son on a see-saw; The bag of loot falls off a painting rig; it hits the opposite side of the see-saw that the little boy is on, catapulting him into a tree. Superman takes off from the car and flies over to rescue the boy.

*On the bus approaching the chemical plant fire, Jimmy Olsen says "What a sunset!", Clark replies "At three in the afternoon?". There are also extra shots of the chemical fire and more dialogue with Superman and the fire chief.

*Vera and Lorelei "shake hands".

*Before Gus goes into Ross Webster's office, he is met by Ross' secretary. There's also a scene in which Gus tries to escape through the executive washroom, but the secretary sends him in when Ross gets impatient.

*Ross explains to Gus why Vera calls him "Bubba". In this scene Lorelei gives Ross one of the burnt penguins from the beginning.

*A longer conversation between Gus and Brad outside the Smallville Wheat King office.

*While drinking, Brad reveals that his name was the "Smallville Flash" and Gus thinks that its a good name for a drink.

*Expanded scene of the guy at the ATM.

*After Gus describes Superman's heroics, the TV is turned back on and the newspaper says , "Well Superman's done it again".

*A longer sequence with Gus walking across the street in his skies.

*Gus posing as the General is longer.

*After Gus shuts off the world's oil, there is a shot of two people not getting oil from a cold pipeline.

*The Leaning Tower of Pisa guy now says "Stupido Superman!"

*Some shots of Ross and Lorelei exercising.

*A scene showing Vera trying to read a book, but is can't concentrate because of the noise caused by the Evil Superman and Lorelei.

*When Metropolis' power is turned off, there is a shot of a surgery room and a little dialogue.

*More shots of the Ross, Vera and Lorelei ballooning down in the Grand Canyon.

*The computer's destruction is longer.

*When Brad sees Clark at the hotel he says "Kent!"

Some television broadcasts also have two little extra moments not shown in the theatrical/video release during the scene where Clark gives Lana a diamond ring. Instead of ringing Lana's doorbell, Clark knocks on the door with a "Shave and a Haircut" melody, which is copied by a man knocking on a door behind him. This explains why Clark is looking back when Lana opens her door. Also, after Clark sends Brad speeding back into an elevator on top of a food trolley, a lady assistant remarks "No wonder they send it back."

Many of these deleted scenes can be found in a separate supplementary section on the official "Superman III" DVD. The quality of the scenes differs from the theatrical release represented, as they are taken direct from the 16mm television print and in full-screen/pan-and-scan (as opposed to the widescreen letterboxing of the theatrical version).

United Kingdom version

In the UK, the extended, ABC version has been shown two or three times during the late 1980s. The UK television release included an extended title sequence.

In the scene where Gus Gorman is trying to get Brad drunk (where Gus is wearing the giant cowboy hat), there is extended dialogue on the UK-TV version (cut out from the UK video release), where Brad talks about his high school nickname 'Smallville Flash'. This is then referenced a couple of minutes later when, Gus is dragging him into the computer room.

In the scene where Lorelei is on top of the Statue of Liberty, the UK-TV version has the police officer with the megaphone saying "Don't jump... you have everything to live for... trust me I've seen you", whereas the UK video release has him saying "don't jump... please don't jump", etc.

"Supergirl"

The American theatrical cut for "Supergirl" ran at 105 minutes. "Supergirl" originally ran at 124 minutes in its European version. HBO, who was unhappy with the pan-and-scan transfer that U.S.A. Home Video had done, ordered distributor Tri-Star to create a new pan-and-scan print for its cable showings. After it reached network television in 1987, ABC edited the movie down to 92 minutes. The 92 minute version that aired on ABC would become the version aired in syndication (as well as superstations such as TBS and WGN) by Viacom [ [http://www.supermancinema.co.uk/superman_cinema/faq.htm Q. I saw "Superman IV" on TV but it ended with the Viacom logo instead of Warner Bros. Why is this? A. At the time Viacom took over the television rights to "Superman IV" in 1990, they had a contract with Cannon Films ("Superman IV"'s co-producer) for the TV rights to their films. After "IV"'s obligiatory inital run on HBO pay cable, Viacom brought the film in wide syndication first as part of its "Tonight Only" package, then as part of a syndication package of Superman films that includes "Superman III", "Supergirl", and of course, "Superman IV". "IV" has since been reissued to premium pay cable, but "Superman III" and "Supergirl" continue to be seen today occasionally on TBS, WGN, and other stations nationwide. Viacom, by the way, is now part of Paramount Pictures (which, in a twist of irony, originally released the 1940s Max Fleischer cartoons!!!)] ] (as part of a Superman movie package that had included "Superman III" and "" until Warner Bros. took back the rights). Syndicated TV versions, though said to be the 105 minute version, includes the full "flying ballet" sequence from the international version.

The broadcast television version has a scene not seen in either laserdisc edition: After Selena's defeat, Nigel is standing on the street. He bends over to pick up the Coffer of Shadows, now restored to its original, small size and decides to keep it as a memento. In another broadcast-only scene, after Supergirl flies off to return to Argo City, Ethan gets into his truck. He then, stops to say goodbye to Lucy and Jimmy.

"Superman IV: The Quest for Peace"

"Superman IV: The Quest for Peace" originally ran for 134 minutes. However, following a poorly received test screening in Orange County, California, the film became whittled down to about 89 minutes for its theatrical release [ [http://www.supermanhomepage.com/movies/movies.php?topic=m-movie4 The original preview version ran 2 hrs. 14 min. However a test audience in Los Angeles told reviewers that the movie dragged so long that the director cut 45 minutes of the film to speed up the action leaving this film as the shortest in the series (1 hr 29 min). Unfortunately, the 45 minutes that were cut tied up many loose plot ends and explained a lot of action so, as a result, the film appears uneven and falls very flat towards the end. The TV version was approximately 15 minutes longer when shown, adding a scene in the Soviet Union where Superman saves Moscow from a nuclear bomb which Nuclear Man ignites during the May Day parade, and a scene in which Superman saves a girl from a tornado created by Nuclear Man. Neither of these scenes, however, did much to pull the film together. An urban legend has circulated regarding the full 2 hr 14 min version of Superman IV and an alleged 1989 airing on the now-defunct SFM Holiday Network. According to a representitive from SFM Entertainment LLC, the show's distributor, another Christopher Reeve movie was aired in 1989, which was how the rumor started.] ] . The original 2-hour 14-minute preview version has never been seen outside its ill-fated Southern California test screening. There had been rumors that this version, including all the deleted scenes described above, of the film was shown only one known time, on the SFM Holiday Network in 1989. In actuality, another film that co-starred Christopher Reeve was shown on SFM, and this is where the misconception originated. A spokesman for SFM later confirmed that the full version never aired on television.

A syndicated television version pieced together by Viacom and running at approximately 92 minutes (which is also the international version that Cannon produced) adds to the "Round-the-World" battle sequence between Superman and Nuclear Man, among other things, a scene in the Soviet Union. To be more specific, the scenes included were one where Superman saves Moscow from a nuclear bomb, which Nuclear Man ignited and one where a girl (played by Christopher Reeve's daughter Alexandra) is saved by Superman during a tornado created by Nuclear Man.

Ownership rights

CBS Paramount Domestic Television (owners of the television rights to Cannon's library, and successor company to Viacom Enterprises) formerly held television rights to the film. However, Warner Bros. Television Distribution--since it and ION Media Networks announced a deal on June 27, 2006 that provided the rights to broadcast movies and classic TV shows from the Warner Bros. library on the ION Television network--has now assumed TV rights for "Superman IV" and its predecessor "Superman III" from CBS Paramount Television.

Meanwhile, all other theatrical and television rights in certain territories, including partial copyright, are owned by MGM/Sony/Comcast (successors-in-interest to Cannon Films). Ironically enough, CBS Paramount Television is also the successor-in-interest to the TV division of Paramount Pictures, the studio that released the "1940s Superman cartoons" made by Fleischer Studios and Famous Studios.

ee also

*"The ABC Sunday Night Movie"
*Director's cut
*Fan edit
*Film modification

References

External links

* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078346/alternateversions IMDb > Superman (1978) > Alternate versions]
* [http://www.supermancinema.co.uk/superman1/general/extrafootage/index.shtml Superman: The Movie - THE EXTRA FOOTAGE]
** [http://www.supermancinema.co.uk/superman1/general/extrafootage/page2.shtml Page 2]
** [http://www.supermancinema.co.uk/superman1/general/extrafootage/page3.shtml Page 3]
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081573/alternateversions IMDb > Superman II (1980) > Alternate versions]
* [http://www.supermancinema.co.uk/superman2/general/extended_versions/the_tv_versions/index.htm Superman II - THE TV BROADCASTS]
** [http://www.supermancinema.co.uk/superman2/general/extended_versions/index.htm "Superman II - THE EXTRA FOOTAGE]
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086393/alternateversions IMDb > Superman III (1983) > Alternate versions]
* [http://www.supermancinema.co.uk/superman3/general/extrafootage/index.shtml Superman III - THE EXTRA FOOTAGE]
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088206/alternateversions IMDb > Supergirl (1984) > Alternate versions]
* [http://www.supermancinema.co.uk/supergirl/general/sgirl_different_versions.htm Supergirl - THE DIFFERENT VERSIONS]
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094074/alternateversions IMDb > Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) > Alternate versions]
* [http://www.supermancinema.co.uk/superman4/general/extra_footage/index.htm Superman IV - THE EXTRA FOOTAGE]
* [http://www.supermanii.com/videos.php SUPERMANII.COM - TV Spots]
* [http://www.supermaniii.com/videos.php SUPERMANIII.COM - TV Spots]
* [http://www.supermanii.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=caca364e8a0cd025e01020109d0b27bc The Superman Saga Forum Index -> Superman on film and television]