by Ed Peters

Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz
signing “Superman” DVD at Dave’s Video in Studio City, California

Last night I attended the autograph party thrown at Dave’s Video in Studio City to celebrate the DVD release of the newly restored “Superman.” Over 250 fans, myself included, waited more than three hours to get their copies of the classic 1978 film signed by the film’s director Richard Donner and creative consultant Tom Mankiewicz. 

I normally don’t cover news events, so my account may not read as a bona fide news story. I don’t own a digital camera. I had only my pen, pad and my few wits to record the evening. Sorry folks; if you’re expecting television or even a magazine with pictures, all I have is radio.

The atmosphere was quite jovial, as everyone waiting in line reminisced about the first time they saw the film or how the DVD was going to include scenes that had only been seen in broadcast versions. Other conversations wandered into other cerebral terrain like the complete “oeuvre” of Donner or subtle whisperings about future DVDs.

I spoke briefly with Linda Lukas, co-proprietor of Dave’s Video (the “Dave” in Dave’s belongs to her husband…Dave). She gave me some statistics to help put this particular event in perspective. She told me that the earliest someone showed up was 9AM for the 7PM signing, a store record. She said one fan traveled from Sacramento (a mere 500 miles from Studio City) to attend. The record for the longest session was six hours, held by director Frank Darabont for “The Green Mile. He stayed until 1AM!

By the time I got in line, around 5:12 PM, there were already over 30 people sitting and/or standing. First, I happily purchased my copies of “Superman." Dave’s stipulates that at least one item signed is the honored title (two items signed is the maximum) with a portion of the proceeds going to the guests’ designated charity. As far as the fans go, it’s a win-win situation: they get to meet their favorite filmmakers and they know that they are helping a good cause. For tonight’s event, proceeds benefited the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation.

The excitement greeting the arrival of “Superman” on DVD almost rivals my memory of the theatrical release in 1978. Everyone not only got their DVDs signed, but also souvenir programs from the original run (I still have mine) to posters featuring the iconic Bob Peak artwork to  “Superman” laserdiscs (retire it; the DVD blows it away!) and DVDs of other Donner and Mankiewicz films. I thought about bringing my American Cinematographer magazine from January 1979 about the filming of “Superman.” Instead I opted to get a copy signed for a friend. (Boy, donating to charity and doing a good deed. See what Superman inspires!)

I have to admit: after 75 minutes, my feet started to hurt. I finished reading the magazine I brought to pass the time and found my eyes and mind wandering. I overheard how some people were mad that the card “Next Year Superman II” was removed to make room for the restoration credits. (Wacky purists!)  I got so bored that I even began to keep a tally of how people looked.
(Final score: goatees 94, mullets 6.)

Any restlessness brewing, whether in the crowd, or myself instantly passed when a clerk popped “Superman” into one of the home theater displays and let it rip! When the “S” burst onto the screen, people actually cheered! Then another clerk came by and turned down the volume. If looks could kill… then we heard about the extra bonus that Aaron Smolinski, who played the baby Clark Kent lifting the truck over Ma and Pa Kent, would be making an appearance. This was to be a special evening indeed.

Around 6:45PM, the news trickles down: the shipment of 400 copies ordered for tonight’s event is depleted. 400 “Superman” DVDs sold in a few hours! Warner Brothers was right; what possible interest could there be in a national theatrical revival!

The moment arrived at about 7:05 PM, when Donner and Mankiewicz took their seats and started to sign. The line moved fairly quickly. Keeping my focus on the people ahead, I thought about what I would say to them. How does one meet the facilitator of two decades worth of daydreams and inspirations? The beaming faces of those who already got the brass ring continually distracted me.

At 7:50PM, I was the next in line. My mind was swimming; my heart was pounding. I felt like I was going to have a heart attack on the spot! (Great, I wait three hours in line only to be sent to the hospital with 10 feet to go!) Someone motioned to me and I walked up to the table. I presented my DVDs. They signed. I remember mumbling something about “Superman” being the greatest Christmas gift I ever got. I remember walking away at 7:52 PM.

When I came to my senses, I realized the moment passed. “Wait!” I thought. “Stop! I have so much to say, so much to express! Two decades of dreaming of this moment and it’s over in less than two minutes!” I also realized I was not completely honest with Mr. Donner. I met him ten years ago when I produced satellite junkets for the studios. He and his wife, Lauren Shuler-Donner, were doing interviews for the film “Radio Flyer.” I took the opportunity then to say: “Mr. Donner, I just wanted to say ‘Superman’ was the greatest Christmas present I ever got. I know how difficult it was to make that film. Thank you doesn’t begin to cover it, but it’ll have to do.” Mrs. Donner was so touched she started to cry. He thanked me graciously and went about the business then at hand. I brought up the story tonight and he lauded me for my memory. I reiterated my Christmas remark. It may have been true ten years ago, but the greatest holiday gift I ever received came last year when my wife returned home two days before Christmas after being hospitalized for a pulmonary embolism. Forgive me, Mr. Donner.

I stayed till about 8:30 PM. There was still a line of fans snaking through the store and out the door, reaching to the end of the block. They were still signing away, eagerly so from the look of it. The circular advertised the event from 7PM to 8PM. Some in the back of the line wondered if they would get their chance. With so many people expressing their love and admiration to Mr. Donner, Mr. Mankiewicz and Mr. Smolinski, I’m sure no one walked away disappointed.

See, if I had a few pictures, all this excess verbiage would be superfluous (no pun intended. Ok, maybe.) Seriously, judging from the sheer joy all around me last night, a lot of people saw a dream fulfilled on two levels. First, the sparkling return of a nearly forgotten classic and a chance to say thank you to the people who gave it to the world and its collective humanity (another line from the film).

The next signing at Dave’s will be during Memorial Day weekend with John Carpenter for “Big Trouble in Little China.” I’ll be prepared by then: camera, plenty of reading material, a list of my favorite Carpenter movies with explication… and a pillow.

 May 2, 2001

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