Tony’s Timeless Thursdays™:“You'll Believe a Man Can Fly Again”: A Tribute to Superman: The Movie (And Why I Believe James Gunn’s Superman Will Soar Just as High)

Tyrone Tony Reed Jr.
Jul 10
8 min read

There are films that entertain. There are films that inspire. And then—there are films that make you believe.

In 1978, Superman: The Movie wasn’t just a blockbuster. It was a beacon. A myth reborn. A soaring, romantic, awe-filled miracle of cinema that promised a skeptical world, “You’ll believe a man can fly.” And believe, we did.

This week on Tony’s Timeless Thursdays™, I lift my pen in honor of a movie that has only grown more magical with time. I revisit Superman: The Movie in all its glory, wonder, and verisimilitude—and I reflect on the hope that tomorrow, when I take my seat for James Gunn’s new Superman (releasing Friday, July 11, 2025), I will once again feel the rush of joy that only the Man of Steel can bring.

This is a tribute to the film that started it all… and to the eternal hope that he still lives.

Chapter 1: The Promise of Wonder

When Superman: The Movie hit theaters in December 1978, it was an event unlike any before. It didn’t wink. It didn’t mock its origins. It didn’t treat comic books as lesser art. Instead, it opened with a black-and-white newsreel, a child flipping through the pages of Action Comics, and a swelling score that promised grandeur.

Then the screen exploded into space.

From the cold elegance of Krypton to the pastoral warmth of Smallville to the gleaming, bustling energy of Metropolis, Superman: The Movie was nothing short of operatic. It had scale. It had soul. It had heart. And most importantly—it had truth, justice, and the American way delivered with a smile you could trust.

Chapter 2: Christopher Reeve—The Man, the Myth, the Superman

Let’s be clear: there is no Superman: The Movie without Christopher Reeve. In a performance so flawless it still defies explanation, Reeve made you believe that Clark Kent and Superman were truly two different men—without a single mask or cape change required.

As Superman, he stood tall, noble, and unshakably kind. He didn’t scowl. He didn’t brood. He inspired.

As Clark, he fumbled, stuttered, and slouched—yet you never once doubted his sincerity. He was goofy but not stupid. Awkward but not weak. He was the gentle façade of a god trying desperately to fit in with mortals.

Reeve’s transformation is still studied by actors today. That moment in Lois’s apartment—where he removes his glasses and straightens up before losing his nerve and reverting back to Clark—is one of the greatest examples of physical acting ever caught on film. No CGI. No dialogue. Just truth.

Reeve didn’t just play Superman. He embodied him.

And we, the audience, believed.

Chapter 3: Donner’s Direction—“Verisimilitude”

Director Richard Donner had a single word taped to the wall during filming: Verisimilitude. It means the appearance of being real. Of being truthful. That word became the guiding force of the film—not just in its special effects, but in its storytelling.

Donner approached the material with absolute sincerity. No camp. No parody. He treated Superman like Greek mythology meets Americana. And the result? A film that has aged like fine wine.

From the crystalline architecture of Krypton to the golden light of Smallville to the art deco heights of Metropolis, Donner crafted a world that felt both mythic and grounded.

He knew that for audiences to believe in Superman, he had to believe first.

And so he gave us a hero who wasn’t conflicted, but complete. Not tortured, but tested. Not afraid to love, to smile, or to hope.

In a world where heroes are often cynical, Superman: The Movie stands as a shining rebuke. It dares to be earnest. And in that earnestness—it finds power.

Chapter 4: John Williams—A Theme for the Ages

There are great movie scores. And then there is the Superman theme by John Williams.

It doesn’t just accompany the film—it defines it. From the moment the first brass notes blast into the theater, you know you’re in for something special. It’s triumphant. Melodic. Unapologetically heroic.

It doesn’t hide behind irony. It soars.

Williams understood that Superman wasn’t just a man in a cape—he was an idea. A dream. A feeling. And his theme became the sound of that dream. Even today, when we hear it, our hearts lift.

And let’s not forget the tender, haunting strings of “Can You Read My Mind,” Lois Lane’s poetic monologue as she floats through the night sky in Superman’s arms.

This wasn’t just superhero cinema. This was cinematic poetry.

Chapter 5: The Supporting Cast—Icons in Their Own Right

Every great Superman needs his world—and Superman: The Movie delivered with one of the most perfectly cast ensembles in cinema history.

On Krypton:

Marlon Brando as Jor-El: Stoic, godlike, and commanding. His performance added Shakespearean gravitas to Krypton’s doomed origin. His voice echoed wisdom across galaxies.
Susannah York as Lara: Poised and graceful, Lara’s maternal farewell helped humanize Krypton’s cold farewell.
Trevor Howard and Maria Schell as Kryptonian elders: Further weighted the judicial logic that sealed Krypton’s fate.

On Earth, in Smallville:

Glenn Ford as Jonathan Kent: The film’s moral heartbeat. His sudden death underscored Superman’s limitations—“All these powers… and I couldn’t save him.”
Phyllis Thaxter as Martha Kent: Gentle, proud, and full of quiet strength. Her emotional goodbye to Clark was tender and timeless.

Jeff East as Teen Clark Kent: Earnest and conflicted, he captured Clark’s internal struggle before donning the cape.
Aaron Smolinski as Baby Clark Kent: A tender and memorable start to the Superman journey.
Diane Sherry Case as Teen Lana Lang: Sweet and gentle, she embodied Smallville charm.
Brad Flock as Bradley Wilson: The archetypal high school bully, showing early tests of Clark’s restraint.

And a delightful Easter egg:

Noel Neill and Kirk Alyn—the original Lois Lane and Superman from the 1940s serials—appeared as young Lois Lane’s (uncredited cameo by Cathy Marcotte) parents aboard the train. A touching tribute to legacy and lineage.

On Earth, Metropolis, at the Daily Planet:

Margot Kidder as Lois Lane: Unapologetically bold, whip-smart, and full of emotional complexity. Her chemistry with Reeve lit up the screen.
Jackie Cooper as Perry White: The cigar-chomping, deadline-demanding newsman who brought urgency and energy to Metropolis.
Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen: Full of idealism, loyalty, and optimism—his youthful spark made him more than just comic relief.

And in the criminal underworld:

Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor: Brilliant, theatrical, and dangerously self-absorbed. Hackman’s Lex mixed menace with absurd charm.
Valerie Perrine as Eve Teschmacher: A scene-stealer whose conscience gives her unexpected depth.
Ned Beatty as Otis: Endearingly bumbling, adding levity that contrasted with Luthor’s ambition.

Every one of them added emotional and thematic texture to the film, elevating it far beyond a mere superhero flick. This wasn't just casting—it was cinematic orchestration.

Chapter 6: A Story of Heart, Not Just Heroics

What sets Superman: The Movie apart is that its greatest moments aren’t fights—but feelings.

Clark preparing to leave Smallville as his mother watches from the porch.
Superman catching Lois and the helicopter—“Easy, miss. I’ve got you.”“You’ve got me? Who’s got you?!”
Clark walking the halls of the Daily Planet, unseen and awkward—while his real self is saving planes in the sky.
Lois’s death. Superman’s scream. The reverse of time to save her. Yes, it bends the rules—but it bends them for love. Not vengeance. Not rage. Love.

This was a film where the hero didn’t need to punch to prove his power. His greatest strength was his compassion. His humanity.

Chapter 7: The Ending That Gave Us Everything

Superman flies into the sky. He turns to camera. He smiles.

It’s not a smirk. It’s not a flex. It’s a gift.

He’s saying, “I’m here. Don’t worry.”

It’s that final shot—bright, bold, full of light—that reminds us what Superman was always meant to be:

A symbol. A savior. A friend.

Chapter 8: A Legacy that Endures

Decades later, Superman: The Movie remains the gold standard. Yes, technology has improved. Costumes have changed. But the soul of Superman was captured here—and no amount of CGI can replicate it.

Every Superman since—Dean Cain, Brandon Routh, Henry Cavill, Tyler Hoechlin—owes something to Christopher Reeve. And let's not forget the ones who came before Reeve: Kirk Alyn and George Reeves. Each has brought their own strengths and blend of kindness, strength, and heart that Reeve delivered.

This isn’t nostalgia. This is truth.

Chapter 9: Looking Ahead—James Gunn’s Superman

And now… tomorrow.

July 11, 2025. A new Superman film. A new Clark Kent. A new Lois Lane. A new vision. And yet—if the whispers are true—it’s a vision rooted in the same ideals that made the 1978 film soar.

James Gunn has promised a Superman who isn’t ashamed to smile. A story not of cynicism, but of hope. Of heart. Of humanity.

And I believe him.

Why?

Because Superman endures not by changing—but by reminding us who we are. And who we want to be.

The world is darker now. The skies more storm-filled. But perhaps that’s why we need him more than ever.

If Gunn’s film can recapture even a fraction of that 1978 magic… we’ll be blessed. If it gives us a Superman who lifts us up, instead of brooding in the shadows, it will be a gift to a new generation.

Chapter 10: “You’re Here for a Reason” – The Wisdom of Jonathan Kent

Among the most unforgettable lines in Superman: The Movie doesn’t come from Jor-El or from Superman himself—but from Jonathan Kent, Clark’s adoptive father on Earth. In a quiet moment beneath the Kansas sky, Jonathan tells young Clark:

“You’re here for a reason.”

It’s a simple line. But in that simplicity lies power, purpose, and prophecy.

Jonathan Kent, portrayed by Glenn Ford, didn’t have superpowers. He couldn’t lift buildings or outrun trains. But he had wisdom, faith, and vision. He understood that his son wasn’t just different—he was destined. And rather than fill him with pride, he instilled in him humility. He reminded Clark that his abilities were not for glory, but for goodness.

That moment becomes the emotional cornerstone of the film. When Jonathan dies suddenly of a heart attack, Clark is left shaken. He kneels beside his father’s grave and says:

“All those things I can do... all those powers... and I couldn't even save him.”

It’s heartbreaking—and it’s human. Because in that moment, Superman becomes one of us. He learns that not every life can be saved. That not every loss can be prevented. That power has limits—and that love carries pain.

But Jonathan’s words linger.

“You’re here for a reason.”

They push Clark toward Metropolis. They push him toward becoming Superman. They remind him that even when he can’t change the world entirely—he can still change someone’s world.

In many ways, this quote is the soul of the film. It’s the mission statement of Superman himself.

And it’s a reminder to all of us:

We may not be able to fly. We may not have heat vision or strength beyond measure. But we, too, are here for a reason.

We can lift others. We can bring light. We can choose to be someone’s hero—even for a moment.

Just like Clark Kent did.

Chapter 11: Why We Still Need Superman

Superman doesn’t represent perfection. He represents potential.

He’s not a god. He’s a man trying to do the right thing.

He teaches us that strength means nothing without compassion. That power is only meaningful when used to protect. That kindness is not weakness—but courage.

He is the dream of who we could be… if we chose better. Loved deeper. Reached higher.

And in Superman: The Movie, we saw all of that wrapped in red and blue and gold. A cinematic love letter to the best in us.

Final Words: You’ll Believe Again

So as I prepare to sit in a theater tomorrow, popcorn in hand, eyes wide with hope, I carry with me the legacy of 1978.

I carry the farmhouse in Smallville. The gleaming skyline of Metropolis. The Fortress of Solitude. The whoosh of a cape in flight. The smile of Christopher Reeve.

I carry John Williams’ trumpet call echoing in my soul.

And I believe.

Not just in Superman—but in what he stands for.

Truth. Justice. And hope that never dies.

You’ll believe a man can fly. And maybe—just maybe—you’ll believe in yourself again too.

Read. Remember. Reflect.

🦸‍♂️ Superman: The Movie (1978)

🎬 Directed by: Richard Donner

🎭 Starring: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando

🎼 Score: John Williams

🎯 Theme: Hope, love, legacy, and belief

📅 Anticipating: Superman (2025) by James Gunn – July 11, 2025