Superman films on television

The four Superman films starring Christopher Reeve, as well as 1984's Supergirl, have been expanded somewhat for network and syndicated television. This was originally the result of the series' father-and-son production team, Alexander and Ilya Salkind (the producers of , and , as well as ) charging TV stations and networks for every minute their films were telecast.
Superman: The Movie
When the rights to the first Superman film reverted to the Salkinds in 1981, it was their intention to prepare a television cut longer than what was released theatrically, for the 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. The principal sponsor for the telecasts was Atari. At the time, ABC had a contract with Alexander Salkind for the television rights to his films. ABC's 3 hour-2 minute cut of Superman was originally broadcasted over the course two nights. 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). The next evening, there was naturally, a recap before the film continued until the very the end. This expanded version was repeated in November of the same year, only this time, shown in one night. The next two ABC showings after that was the original, theatrical version. Apparently, in their contract with ABC, the 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, Alexander and Ilya had been 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 on any of the extended versions. However, due to a clause in his contract, Donner's name remains in the credits.
Additional footage
Some 40 minutes of footage were reinstated for the initial ABC-TV telecasts of the film. 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" 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 Tesmacher 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).
However, at least one noticeable removal occurred: the recording of "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley & His Comets, heard in the original film in the minutes before the death of Glenn Ford's character, is replaced with a generic piece of instrumental music in the ABC 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 market in 1988 (following a play-out run on pay cable) TV stations were offered the extended cut or the theatrical cut. The stations that showed the extended cut 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. 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 versions are all in pan and scan, as they were made in the 1980s, when movies weren't letterboxed to preserve the theatrical aspect ratio on old TVs.
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, 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, before Richard Lester took over. Other footage are alternate versions of existing scenes 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 Superman IV. 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 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 Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut.
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
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 (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 ("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 (as part of a Superman movie package that had included Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace 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. 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. In 2006, Warner Bros. Television Distribution took over television rights, 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--this deal included Superman IV and its predecessor Superman III from CBS Paramount Television. Three years later, in 2009, the television license returned to Paramount, with Trifecta Entertainment & Media distributing on Paramount's behalf.
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.

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