#superman 1978

[beautifultyphoongentlemen]

Poll: Your favourite Lex Luthor?

Yes, some were missed out. 😉

[sassylittlecanary]

People are acting like himbo!Clark Kent (aka “actually smart but still awkward, sweet, and hunky”) is new because of MAWS, as though all these versions don’t exist—

He’s almost always portrayed as a big, sweet, lovable guy who can be awkward and nervous just like anybody else but who’s also competent and brave when helping others. That’s just Clark.

[georgeromeros]

Superman: The Movie (1978) dir. Richard Donner

[thatweirdgirlwhosalwaysonline]

“We want more evil female characters”

Y’all can’t even handle Lois Lane

[cinemaspast]

SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE (1978) dir. Richard Donner

[francis-ford-kofola]

Lois Lane interviewing Superman in SUPERMAN (1978) dir. Richard Donner (Christopher Reeve as Superman and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane)

[junkfoodcinemas]

Superman: The Movie (1978) dir. Richard Donner

[misselesava]

CLARK KENT & LOIS LANE SUPERMAN (1978) | SMALLVILLE (2001 - 2011)

[soranatus]

The Justice League of Earth-789 - With Christopher Reeve’s Superman, Michael Keaton’s Batman, Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman, & John Wesley Shipp’s The Flash By Luis Bajo Collados

[whosebirthdayisit]

john williams

john williams was born this day (february 8) in 1932

john williams is a composer and conductor responsible for many iconic film scores, such as star wars, indiana jones, and et the extraterrestrial

[retroscifiart]

Remembering the great special effects pioneer Derek Meddings on his birthday. Superman (1978), Moonraker (1979), Thunderbirds Are Go (1966), Krull (1983)

[muchimmm]

I'm honestly disappointed that (specifically their versions) are not shipped

[sassylittlecanary]

Superman (1978) and the Female Gaze

In honor of Superman’s 85th birthday, I got to see the 1978 movie in theaters (!!!) and I realized how much it appeals to the female gaze, which I would NOT have expected for a male-led superhero movie from the 70s.

To elaborate:

I’ve always cringed a little at Lois’ cheesy voiceover during the flying sequence, but I realized it’s actually a whole scene from Lois’ perspective. It gets in her head and explores her thoughts and feelings. It doesn’t portray her as “Superman’s girlfriend” from his perspective, focused on his viewpoint. The entire scene is Superman from Lois’ perspective.

Even the cinematography (especially in that scene but also throughout the movie) caters to the female gaze. There’s so much focus on their hands — Lois and Superman holding hands, Superman gently cradling her face, etc. There’s a focus on eye contact, on body language. Superman’s muscles aren’t emphasized — instead the camera lingers on his eyes and his smile. Through the visuals, both leads are very humanized instead of gratuitously sexualized like many superhero movies ever since.

Also, Christopher Reeve’s Superman emerges as such an unexpected example of positive masculinity. In the late 70s, Family Feud’s host was kissing every female contestant on his show, consent be damned. ERA and the feminist movement were losing ground to the New Right. The macho male hero was already a staple thanks to characters like James Bond and advertising campaigns like the Marlboro Man. Men Were Manly.

In contrast, while Superman is held up as a quintessential “manly male protagonist” admired by many, he very pointedly does not fall into the action hero male power fantasy stereotype of “I’m a tough macho man who affirms my masculinity by harassing and sleeping with lots of women and who expresses emotions by hitting things and yelling at people. Wow look at me punch things and shoot guns! I’m so strong!” Instead, he’s always gentle. He smiles brightly, he laughs, he cracks jokes, he waves as he flies off. He’s a huge guy, but he’s not intimidating unless he wants to be because he’s just so kind and down-to-earth. He’s much more in line with a stereotypically feminine fantasy of a “kind, respectful, warm guy who makes me laugh” rather than the male power fantasy more common in this genre.

There’s also the way female characters are treated. Lois is Superman’s love interest, but she’s also more than that. She’s her own character with her own voice. She’s a tough, snarky, take-charge, no-nonsense, competent career woman who goes after what she wants fiercely. She grouches and rants with her signature attitude, and Clark just stands there smiling at her because he thinks she’s amazing exactly as she is. It’s the fantasy of an independent woman with traditionally “unfeminine” traits who’s loved and celebrated for being herself. Clark doesn’t want to tame her — he adores her and supports her.

In addition, Miss Teschmacher is stereotyped as the villain’s “sexy but a bit dumb” girlfriend/sidekick, yet she’s still allowed some depth. Superman’s treatment of her stood out to me because this woman has helped Luthor endanger innocent people and nearly kill Superman himself, yet he’s still kind and respectful toward her. Because he always treats women like that, no matter who they are or what they’ve done to him. She wistfully says “Why can’t I ever get it on with a good guy?” instead of a toxic one, and he touches her face tenderly and gives her a reassuring smile. He has compassion for her, as well as hope that her life will improve.

There’s also the climax. There really isn’t much violence (it’s all natural disaster stuff). The whole “hero does something dramatic to save his love interest” is a time-honored action movie cliche, but this feels different somehow. It feels more like the climax of a romance movie than an action movie in some ways. Maybe it is, again, the focus on tenderness. On the way Superman cradles Lois’ dead body so gently and then cries. On the way he allows himself to feel, to express his emotions, instead of heading out to punch something as an outlet for his grief. Lois isn’t a love interest to be won — she’s a person to be cherished, which is 100% consistent with the female gaze.

Just, 👏 THE FEMALE GAZE AND POSITIVE MASCULINITY Y’ALL 👏

[thejdblog]

Happy Birthday Superman!!!!!!! 🎂🎉

[soullessjack]

completely obsessed with this scene from superman II where lois fucking shoots clark to prove he’s superman. what a woman

[francis-ford-kofola]

"Well, I certainly hope this little incident hasn't put you off flying, miss. Statistically speaking, of course, it's still the safest way to travel."

Christopher Reeve as Superman and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane in SUPERMAN (1978), dir. Richard Donner