Written By: Jason LockardThis month the Silver Screen Spotlight is shining on Christopher Reeve. A brave and courageous man who not only made us believe a man could fly, but gave us hope that if you believe anything was possible.
Christopher D'Olier Reeve was born on September 25, 1952, in New York City. In school, Reeve excelled at everything he did academically, athletically, and onstage. After high school, Reeve was accepted to many prestigious universities, yet decided to attend Cornell. There he would join the theater department and perform in many productions. Before his third year of college, Reeve took a hiatus and watched performances all over the United Kingdom. This inspired him to focus on acting and when he returned the US he entered Juilliard.
After graduating Reeve auditioned for the Broadway play A Matter of Gravity. Katharine Hepburn saw his audition and cast him as her character's grandson in the play. He also began working in television on the soap opera Love of Life.
Just a couple years later he was offered his first role in Hollywood, a very small part as a junior submarine officer in the 1978 naval disaster movie Gray Lady Down. But little did he know that a role was right around the corner that would change his life and inspire generations when he would put on red and blue tights and a cape and be the Man of Steel.
Director Richard Donner took the story by Mario Puzo best known for writing The Godfather and direct fresh-faced Christopher Reeve as the man of steel. The film would follow the origin story of Earth's greatest immigrant, Kal-El of Krypton.
In this first installment Superman faces off against a name that had been linked with his for generations and will be for generations to come, Lex Luthor played by screen legend Gene Hackman. Luthor's evil plan is to sink California leaving his barren desert land the new west coast. Does Superman foil Luthor's plan?! Well, you'll have to watch the film to find out!
Interestingly enough it was decided to shoot both Superman I and II simultaneously. It's hard enough to shoot one film let alone two! Looking back at the film almost 30 years later it's still a fairly impressive film! That doesn't mean it doesn't have flaws, but most films do have flaws. In the end, it is an extremely enjoyable film and one worth checking out!
Christopher Reeve would go on to star in many great films too many to mention. One film Anna Karenina began his love for horseback riding. On May 27, 1995, Reeve's horse began the third fence jump and suddenly stopped. Reeve fell forward off the horse, holding on to the reins. He fell and landed head first, shattering his first and second vertebrae, which paralyzed him from the neck down, also halted his breathing.
For most people, this would be the end. And Reeve admittedly contemplated taking his life but with the unconditional love of his wife Dana who moved forward. And even continued his career. In 1997, Reeve made his directorial debut with the HBO film In the Gloaming. In 1998, Reeve produced and starred in Rear Window, a remake of Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 film. He was nominated for a Golden Globe and won a Screen Actors Guild Award for his performance.
On February 25, 2003, Reeve would step back into the world that changed his life. While not in the same role he appeared in the television series Smallville about a young Superman. He would play the role of Dr. Virgil Swann, a many who studied Kryton.
On October 9, 2004, Reeve felt well and attended his son Will's hockey game. That night, he went into cardiac arrest after receiving an antibiotic for the infection. Eighteen hours later, on October 10, 2004, Reeve died at the age of 52, 15 days after his birthday.
While he never walked again, Christopher Reeve lived a highly productive life after this horrible injury. He left a legacy of films that inspire us. Because of him, we will always believe a man can fly.
So until next month when we take another look at a classic comic book movie. This is Jason Lockard reminding you, if you want to see a good movie, check out a classic.
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