Just like The Omen, and near the release of the new film Superman Returns from director Bryan Singer, Channel 4 broadcast this programme showing the many people in the film and TV industry who have been affected by a supposed curse of Superman. Narrated by Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' Dexter Fletcher, with footage from the many television and films recreating one of the world's most popular superheroes, and gives evidence that could suggest a curse on anyone who does something to do with Superman. These curses include the breakdown of Margot Kidder (aka Lois Lane in the first four original films), the suicide of George Reeves (one of the first of TV's Superman actors, his story can also be seen in the film Hollywoodland), the paralysis and death of Christopher Reeve, the downfall and death of Marlon Brando, the illness and death of comic Richard Pryor (who appears in Superman III), and many others. With interviews from Dean Cain (who hasn't been affected yet he was in the popular series Lois and Clark) and Barry Norman. Not as creepy as the infamous Omen curse, but worth watching. Good!
2 Reviews
Curse!??
knight_sentinel1 July 2009
This documentary wasn't anything new, most if not all of it has been rumor and speculation for many years.
Margot Kidder had a mental break down which was cause by her having been diagnosed as being bipolar, she was also in a car crash which didn't allow her to work for some time and caused her financial problems, but mental illness along with prescription drugs seem to be a problem for a lot of people.
When asked about the curse Ms. Kidder said, "I think the curse of Superman stuff is nonsense. I think it's just nonsense! The reality is if you get any group of people and you statistically say get a group of 100 people, X number is gonna have some sort of calamity in their life 'cause that's what life is." Richard Pryor's downfall came from his use of illegal drugs, even though he did get MS later in life, there is a book that came out recently and Mr. Pryor is mentioned in the book The Life by Bernie Anthony Bourns who supply cocaine to Mr.Pryor, he had a 1000 lb a month habit.
George Reeves took his own life, Christopher Reeve's was just a unfortunate accident which is common in Eventing the name of the equestrian sport Reeve was doing when he became paralyzed, he died from cardiac arrest caused by a systemic infection, and Marlon Brando had problems long before he ever did the Superman films.
This is like the supposed curse of the Poltergeist films even though one of the young ladies had been in an abusive relationship that eventually turned fatal when she was strangled to death by her former boyfriend John Thomas Sweeney because she had broke off their relationship., and had nothing to do with a curse of that movie. Craig T Nelson had two very successful television series long after he made these movies.
They also didn't interview anyone from the Superboy television series or the long running Smallville television series which is going into it's ninth season, instead this documentary focused on individuals who in some cases had problems that had nothing to do with the Superman movies, or they were just had misfortunate accidents.
Margot Kidder had a mental break down which was cause by her having been diagnosed as being bipolar, she was also in a car crash which didn't allow her to work for some time and caused her financial problems, but mental illness along with prescription drugs seem to be a problem for a lot of people.
When asked about the curse Ms. Kidder said, "I think the curse of Superman stuff is nonsense. I think it's just nonsense! The reality is if you get any group of people and you statistically say get a group of 100 people, X number is gonna have some sort of calamity in their life 'cause that's what life is." Richard Pryor's downfall came from his use of illegal drugs, even though he did get MS later in life, there is a book that came out recently and Mr. Pryor is mentioned in the book The Life by Bernie Anthony Bourns who supply cocaine to Mr.Pryor, he had a 1000 lb a month habit.
George Reeves took his own life, Christopher Reeve's was just a unfortunate accident which is common in Eventing the name of the equestrian sport Reeve was doing when he became paralyzed, he died from cardiac arrest caused by a systemic infection, and Marlon Brando had problems long before he ever did the Superman films.
This is like the supposed curse of the Poltergeist films even though one of the young ladies had been in an abusive relationship that eventually turned fatal when she was strangled to death by her former boyfriend John Thomas Sweeney because she had broke off their relationship., and had nothing to do with a curse of that movie. Craig T Nelson had two very successful television series long after he made these movies.
They also didn't interview anyone from the Superboy television series or the long running Smallville television series which is going into it's ninth season, instead this documentary focused on individuals who in some cases had problems that had nothing to do with the Superman movies, or they were just had misfortunate accidents.
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