Superman: Flying High on the Big Screen

Brandon Routh

' You will be different, sometimes you'll feel like an outcast, but you'll never be alone.'

Superman Returns

Much like James Bond, I think for most people, their Superman is the first one they saw on the big screen.  For me, that was actor Brandon Routh in 2006's Superman Returns.  I was keenly aware of Christopher Reeve, but except for a few scenes on TV, I hadn't  yet seen any of his Superman films in their entirety.  Superman Returns wasn't a great film, but given it was my first, and only, time seeing the Man of Steel on the big screen, Brandon Routh's portrayal made an impact. 

Routh and the film get a bad wrap.  Although the film wasn't great, I thought Routh did a great job, especially when playing Clark Kent.  When it comes to Super Heroes, I think many actors excel at one part of the role.  Some are great at playing the cape wearing crime fighter, and others excel at playing their daytime alter ego.  Routh had the boyish innocence of Clark, and was beautifully busting through his three piece suits.

Routh in Chuck

Although Routh got shafted out of a sequel, he did go on to work steadily.  Although Routh has appeared on many drama's, I really enjoyed his roles on sit-coms, and wished his sit-com Partners had lasted a little longer. . It was also great to see Routh slide into his tights again for appearances on The Flash. 

Christopher Reeve

For many, Christopher Reeve remains the preeminent Superman.  Reeve played the character in four films from 1978 through 1987.  I have since seen the first film on television, and understand why he is so beloved.  Reeve embodied both Clark Kent and his cape wearing alter ego equally well, and his chiseled face and muscular physique beautifully embodied the vision we'd all seen on comic book covers.  

Deathtrap (1982)

Christopher Reeve on FH

Somewhere In Time (1980)

Below: Reeve working out with David Prowse for Superman

Henry Cavill

 

'I know you're trying to find out where I hang my cape.'

Man of Steel (2013)

I love me some Henry Cavill, but I have yet to see him play the Man of Steel.  I haven't in fact seen Cavill in anything since his days on The Tudors.  I did try watching The Witcher last year, but have yet to make it past the fist episode.  I will eventually see him in the suit, I'm sure it will be on television one night when I'm home with nothing to watch.  Until then, I'll just continue to enjoy those beautiful eyes and pecs in imags.

The Tudors

Chiseled

Whenever I feature a model, as I did today with Joe, (in the piece below) with classical good looks and a beautifully framed face and jaw, I use the same two descriptive words within the text. Chiseled and sculpted have become my 'go to' words to describe a strong, often square shaped face. When thinking it about today, I realized there is one man who personifies this look for me, an actor who's face flashes through my mind whenever I use those words.

It's funny, I really haven't really seen much of Christopher Reeve on film. I have seen parts  of the Superman films when they have played on TV, but not one all the way through. I did find a copy of Deathtrap to prepare for today's post, and I keep meaning to watch some of his other films that I have read about, most notably Somewhere In Time and Monsignor.. Other than a couple of his TV appearances late his career, my connection to Reeve has been mostly through images.

That didn't mean Reeve didn't have an influence on me. Growing up in the eighties, Reeve's image, especially as Clark Kent and as Superman were everywhere in magazines and newspapers. I knew the face before I knew the man.  The look and shape of his face grew to define what I thought of us 'classically good looking'. .

I was still in school when Reeve had his accident, but I remember it having a strong impact on me, especially thinking of something so horrible occurring to someone many thought of as invincible. 

For me, Reeve was both handsome and sexy, yet at the same time, not necessarily sexual. Maybe it was because I was so young at the time, but I was not really that attracted to Reeve physically. I was drawn to him however, his face, his eyes, his aura. There have been several men in my live that I have been strongly drawn to for reasons beyond sexual attraction but I think Reeve may have been the first.

As I have grown older, I can see and understand Reeve's sexual appeal has gone stronger but his appeal remains more one of fascination and a visual interest in his physical beauty. I have read quite a bit about his life, and despite his Superman physique, Reeve struggled at times with his appearance, and dealing with being so 'visually handsome' all of the time. Reeve also struggled with clothing, finding it difficult to find clothes that fit him right given that he was broad at the top, but narrower down below. 

Somewhere In Time 1980

The fact that this man, so perfectly sculpted, had body issues is weirdly comforting.  I have saved images of Reeve for awhile, looking for a reason to post them.  Thinking about him today, especially in the contest of how his looks have defined in some ways my idea of male beauty, there was no better time.

Reeve in Love of Life (1974-1976)

On the set of Superman

Reeve by Francesco Scavullo

Christopher Reeve in Deathtrap

'This is Clifford Anderson, my secretary; my friend...'

I've posted about the beauty and handsome face of actor Christopher Reeve many times on the site. One of my favorites was Chiseled.  This post and review of Deathtrap, actually was first featured back in 2018, but I thought, given the theme, it needed a return, along with a video clip!

After watching 1982's film version of Deathtrap, I couldn't help but feel it really was better suited for the stage. The Ira Levin written play premiered on Broadway in 1978 on Broadway. The character of Clifford Anderson, played by Reeve in the film, was played by Victor Garber in the original production, a role Garber received a Tony nomination for.

The 'play within a play' framework seems better suited for the stage than on film, and although not necessarily confusing, was not as fun as I imagine it was to see on the stage. That being said, I enjoyed the movie, the performances and Christopher Reeve's brief shirtless scene. Although not as bulked as he was for Superman, Reeve looked amazingly lean and hot. As you can see, Michael Canine's character thought so as well....

Heroic Heinie

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The Real Superman: Christopher Reeve

There is not much to say about Christopher Reeve that has not already been said. Though known for his role as Superman, Juilliard-trained Reeve has a long list of stage, tv and movie roles, including two of my favorites. 'Deathtrap' and 'Somewhere In Time'. Somewhere is one of those movies people love or hate, and I loved it. Hero is not a word that should be thrown around lightly, but it is more than a coincidence to me, that Reeve performed more heroic acts in his real life than he ever did while wearing the blue suit.