Metropolis (Fritz Lang) (1927) - A Groundbreaking Silent Film Masterpiece | Film History

 Metropolis is a 1927 German expressionist science-fiction film directed by Fritz Lang. Produced during a stable period of the Weimar Republic, the film depicts a futuristic urban dystopia and explores the social tensions between workers and oligarchs in a socialist society. Made at the Babelsberg Studios by Universum Film A.G. (UFA), Metropolis was the most expensive silent film ever produced, costing approximately 5 million Reichsmark.

The Super Museum

Above, the main entrance to the Super Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

by Armand Vaquer

With this year's Superman Celebration coming up on June 7 -10 in Metropolis, Illinois, it would be a good idea to show what the town's Super Museum has to offer you. I visited Metropolis in November 2016 to attend the memorial service for actress Noel Neill. 

Along with the Super Museum, the town also has a statue honoring Noel, which I also visited. 

Here, with some updates, is my 2016 article on my visit.

Following my visit to the Noel Neill Lois Lane statue, I headed to Harrah's Casino alongside the Ohio River for breakfast. After breakfast, I went to the square next to the Massac County Court House where the giant Superman statue and Super Museum are located.

Above, yours truly with the Superman statue, who is ready for Christmas.

Upon arrival, I found that the Superman statue was wearing a Santa Claus hat. There were already Christmas decorations on the fence surrounding it. A couple were viewing the statue and photographing it. They asked me to take some of them with the statue, so I obliged. I had them take some of me with it as well.

Above, the store of the Super Museum. Photo by Armnd Vaquer.

Once we were done picture-taking, I headed off to the Super Museum. Inside, is a large store filled with all kinds of Superman and super-hero goods. I bought a magnet for The Beast. While roaming around the store, I ran into Noel's biographer, Larry Thomas Ward. I didn't recognize him right off as he had his hair cut much shorter than the last time I saw him two years ago.

Above, Larry Ward talks to museum owner Jim Hambrick's daughter. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We exchanged greetings and he marveled that I drove all the way from L.A. to Metropolis. I then paid my admission fee (just $5.00) to enter the museum. Before going in, I asked the lady at the counter if it is okay to photograph inside. It turned out that she's the daughter of the museum's owner/operator Jim Hambrick. She said that I can take all the pictures I wanted. (I always ask permission to take photos whenever I go into a museum. Some allow it and some don't.)

"Relics" From the Adventures of Superman TV Show:

Upon entering the museum, I first saw a big display case of assorted Superman toys. I made a right turn and immediately came upon the Adventures of Superman television show section. It contained many photographs and props from the show. I took some photos of the displays. I then headed down to the next section, which was (more or less) dedicated to the first screen Superman, Kirk Alyn.

Above, Kirk Alyn Superman display. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following this, I headed further where I found props and memorabilia from the Christopher Reeve Superman movies, including one of his costumes.

Above, a Christopher Reeve Superman costume. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Next, was a section dedicated to the Broadway Superman show of the 1960s. Ahead was a new separate room of Superman items which was dominated by a huge figure of Doomsday, the "critter" that killed Superman in the comic books in 1992.

Above, the Supergirl room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Then, I reached a room dedicated to Supergirl. All incarnations of the Supergirl character were in this room, but mainly the Helen Slater Supergirl movie. If there were anything pertaining to the current Supergirl television series in there, I certainly didn't see any. (Keep in mind that this was in 2016. They may have artifacts of the Melissa Benoist Supergirl show now.)

Above, an actual "lead" mask from "The Man In The Lead Mask" episode. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Further on, was another section of photographs and memorabilia from the George Reeves Adventures of Superman television show including a "flying pan" from 1951-53, a "lead" mask from the 1953 episode, "The Man In The Lead Mask", a color George Reeves Superman costume and the "Mr. Kryptonite" costume worn by Gene LeBell in 1957 during a county fair tour.

Above, a George Reeves color Superman costume. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a costume worn by Gene LeBell during the 1957 county fair
 tour with George Reeves and Noel Neill. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Also in this section were some original art by Curt Swan, Dick Giodano and others. There were more Superman memorabilia from over the years in this section, mainly toys and figures.

Above, the "flying pan" device used by George Reeves from 1951 to 1953. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After this, I exited the museum and re-entered the store.

The museum is a must-see for Superman fans of all ages.  It is worth a visit!

Above, this is just a small fraction of the Superman goods on display. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I took many more photos inside the Super Museum. I will probably post them in a separate blog post in the near-future. For the museum's website, go here.

As I mentioned at the beginning, I visited the Noel Neill Lois Lane statue before touring the Super Museum.

Here's a photograph of it:

Above, Noel Neill as Lois Lane. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Superman Celebration June 7 - 10

by Armand Vaquer

Superman Returns star Brandon Routh has been announced as the celebrity guest at this year's Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Illinois, the home of the Super Museum.

Above, the Super Museum in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Superman Celebration is an annual four-day festival sponsored by The Metropolis Chamber of Commerce and the City of Metropolis- The Official Home of Superman.  

Held in Metropolis, Illinois during the second weekend of June every year, it celebrates Superman and all thing super-heroic with featured celebrity and artist guests, a costume contest, concerts, a film festival, and many other family-oriented events.  

Admission to Superman Celebration is free. For more information, please see our website at www.supermancelebration.net.

Above, my visit to the Superman statue in Metropolis, Illinois.

I have never been to a Superman Celebration, but I did visit Metropolis in November 2016 and toured the Super Museum. It is well worth a visit! Also in town, is a statue honoring Noel Neill as Lois Lane.

Since this is the celebration's 40th anniversary and the 80th anniversary of Superman, this year's event will be a special one.

And back in Metropolis nothing can ever topple us

From TV Fanatic

DC's new streaming service has handed out an order for the series for Metropolis.

With Superman is out of the picture, who will it focus on?

You're going to want to sit down for this one.

It will follow Superman's future significant other, Lois Lane and his future villain, Lex Luthor!

Interestingly, it sounds like the two characters will be working together to expose the evil underbelly of the city.

Lois and Lex could well be a dynamic duo, but the real test for this show will be the casting.

Read More

Superman's Girl Friend, Noel Neill Honored With Statue

Above, Noel Neill and George Reeves.

Superman's Girl Friend, Noel Neill Honored With Statue

by Armand Vaquer

A special event took place at the 32nd Annual Superman Celebration.

Several hundred people gathered in Metropolis, Illinois yesterday for the unveiling ceremony of the new Noel Neill "Lois Lane" statue.

Braving heat and humidity after an early rain, the gathering honored the "First Lady of Metropolis" with a nine-foot tall statue of Neill in her signature role of Lois Lane in the Adventures of Superman television show (1951-1957).

Above, with help from "Superman" Josh Boultinghouse, Noel unveils her statue. Photo by Bill Dillane.

Metropolis Mayor Billy McDaniel said:

We have a legend in the statue on the Superman square. This is a unique statue, because this is a living legend. A dedicated lady who has dedicated so much of her life to entertainment.

In her remarks at the ceremony, Noel Neill quipped:

Nine feet tall. Whatever. None of us are over nine feet tall, not even George. But that's showbiz.

Neill, of course, was referring to the show's star, the late George Reeves.

Above, Jack "Jimmy Olsen" Larson and Noel in 2005. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Sculptor Gary Smith created the Lois Lane statue and he also created the big Superman statue which stands in the main square.

WSIL-TV has an article on the ceremony along with a video. To view them, go here.

Noel Neill will be celebrating her 90th birthday this coming November.

Metropolis Will Be Coming To Blu-ray Disc In 2009

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Studio Briefing

Fritz Lang's classic 1927 sci-fi masterpiece Metropolis, has been painstakingly restored frame by frame and is due to be released on high-definition Blu-ray disc in 2009, according to Kino International. The film was restored to mark the 75th anniversary in 2002 of the silent movie's original release and included a new soundtrack based on the original score created for the movie.

Up until now fans have been only able to watch a very poor quality print of the film that has been released both on VHS and DVD. Over the decades the original masters have deteriorated badly. It is estimated that about 25% of the original film has been lost forever. From time-to-time reels of previously undiscovered footage have surfaced, either from studio vaults or private collections, even so, it is believed that the film will never be complete again.