Sad Superman Movie "HOLLYWOODLAND", which George Reeves scenario do you believe?

[Steve Hoffman]

Saw this movie for the first time last week. Avoided it when it came out because it just seemed too depressing but I did enjoy it. Just curious what you thought of it and what you believe really happened. Nicely understated, directorial wise..

If you have a minute, can you comment? Wasn't fun to watch Superman get laid though...:eek: I don't think Eddie Mannix had him killed. Toni, maybe but probably what actually happened was in the last part of the movie...

Thanks.

[xman]

Who's to really know. It gets you thinking though. One of Ben Affleck's finest moments. Superman on TV was one of many shows that I couldn't get enough of when I was young. Faster than a speeding bullet....

[wayneklein]

Before watching the film I believed that Toni was somehow behind his demise but they layout a credible scenerio at the end. Great performances...I felt that the story involving the PI Louis Simo was a bit distracting as a framing device. I realize that they were trying to develop parallels between his character and Reeves but was more interested in seeing the story about George Reeves. It's hard for a ficitional character to compete with a real one (even if dramatized). Ben Affleck gives a terrific performance.

Very sad indeed. I never realized this but the incident involving the kid with the gun and Reeves was based on a true incident. Interesting commentary track also provides tibdits about reel life vs. real life.

[Larry Mc]

I loved this movie, and like others have said Ben Affleck is great in this role. I don't know what to believe, the whole thing with George Reeves' life is tragic.
Now, I'm going to watch this movie again tonight.

[Maggie]

Beautiful movie. Great usage of a fairly obscure Coltrane cut ("Theme For Ernie" from Soultrane)...

Not sure how true to life the film's details were. My money's on suicide. (As was, I think, the filmmakers'...)

[The Wanderer]

In his early career, like his optimistic performance in “Gone With The Wind”, he appeared to be headed for a successful film career, which with luck and talent, might even lead to leading man status.

His role as “Superman” on television, although iconic for us, was I’ve read a difficult transition for him in many ways, including typecasting and the realization of his career limitations and may simply have been too much for him.

Although I do not think he was murdered, I likewise do not think he intended to kill himself, which is what I believe happened.


I always enjoy his performances and smile every time I see him on screen; his memory does live on.

[kevinsinnott]

I think the likely scenario is he was killed, either by Toni's or Mannix's directive. He played some dangerous games with some dangerous people. I doubt he committed suicide, but who knows? The witnesses are all dead and nobody's talking.

To a kid growing up at that time, it was like the day Kennedy was killed, except the media coverage for Kennedy was so giant.

[gd0]

Haven't seen this movie.

But the real-life incident, as reported in '59, was an eye-opener for 9-yr-old me... in a carefree world, it was the first time that someone I "knew" and liked a lot did something disturbingly tragic.

I've heard the theories and scenarios, all arguable of course... in the absence of evidence, I've just always bought the suicide story.

[Mister Kite]

I enjoyed the film and think they did a good job considering. Back in 1995, I picked up this magazine (put out by Cult Movies, of all things) featuring a George Reeves bio-book by Jan Alan Henderson. I re-read it right bfore watching the film. It obviously goes into much more detail than the movie can, but if you are really interested in the subject (like me), it is a marvelous supplement and is a must-read IMO, if you can track down a copy. IIRC, it may have come out in actual book form somewhere along the way.

[Jimbo]

When he barbecued the Superman suit, all I could think was "do you know how much that would be worth on eBay?"

[Ed Bishop]

All the little clues suggest murder; we just don't know who pulled the trigger or gave the order. It's one of those Hollywood mysteries that will likely never be solved, to remain forever strange and elusive--king of like all the great films.

:ed:

[Vidiot]

I thought it was a good indie film that raised many questions. But I also think it suffered when it got away from the main Ben Affleck story. Too much about the detective, not enough about George Reeves.

It's clear to me that this guy Mannix, who ran MGM, probably had him whacked. Superman co-stars Noel Neill and Jack Larson have said many times that they were all signed to do another season of the show, and that Reeves was looking forward to doing it, and even planned on directing a half-dozen episodes. It's too weird that he would kill himself this suddenly. But at least the movie covers all the bases.

[Rachael Bee]

When he barbecued the Superman suit, all I could think was "do you know how much that would be worth on eBay?"

LOL....which suit, the B&W or the coloured one....:laugh:

I loved this film and I've watched my HD-DVD of it atleast a half-dozen times already.

My bet is down for m-u-r-d-e-r.

[Dillydipper]

If you just watch the movie, you can't possibly develop an opinion...too little information - which of course, is what the rest of the world has!

[Michael]

I believe he was murdered...at least what I want to believe. I have the DVD as well...one of my favorites. Superman was my hero as a kid.:)

Ben did a wonderful job...

[Mister Charlie]

It seems he was, as has been noted, playing with dangerous people and sometimes one gets trapped into a situation that costs them more to get out of than they bargained for.

Great movie, and Affleck totally redeemed himself in it.

[Rachael Bee]

If you just watch the movie, you can't possibly develop an opinion...too little information - which of course, is what the rest of the world has!

Heah, they give ya enough info that you can define persons of intrest. I think Mr. Mannix did it with the pistol in the bedroom.

[JA Fant]

I enjoyed this movie!

[mr_mjb1960]

From what I'd heard Reeves fell to his death after believing that he was,indeed,the Man of Steel and jumped out a window! Dunno if that was just a story or not,but I believe that more than somebody shooting him! He'd had bi-polar manic depression,from what I'd heard-maybe that led to his passing! Michael Boyce

[Steve Hoffman]

Uh, no.

[kevinsinnott]

The smart money in the conspiracy business (in which I used to be a member) is that Reeves was bumped. By who/whom, I've heard nothing definitive.

It's a shame. Regardless of circumstances, it hurt a lot of little kids. The whole "jumped out of a window thinking he was Superman" thing was an urban kid myth that, I thought, ended the next morning when the papers came out.

[Scott Wheeler]

My money is on suicide. Murder conspiracies are truly rare. Artist suicides unfortunately are not. It's rough business.

[Trebor]

I saw one of those TV programs where they try and solve mysteries. I think I remember them concluding that he probably shot himself, though one can't ever know if it was intentional or accidental. I guess he was drinking a lot that night.

I saw lot's of neat Superman stuff at the Superman Museum in Metropolis, IL. He had quite a strong chin, didn't he? It was weird to see him in this 3D "in person" form of a life mask.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c251/treborklow/DSC04551.jpg

[Steve Hoffman]

Always loved this freeze frame picture of George Reeves holding the "Lily". The expression on his face is quite interesting...

[kevinsinnott]

My money is on suicide. Murder conspiracies are truly rare. Artist suicides unfortunately are not. It's rough business.

Scott, a couple of things:
I'll preface my commments by acknowledging that insurance actuaries have likely done nothing to back either of us up.

Murder conspiracies among show business pretty boys dating gangster's girlfriends are hardly rare.

You are sadly right about Artistic suicides. But, suicides by gunshot are pretty rare. It's a rough business, but as others pointed out, Reeves was doing okay. I work with actors and when they've just been renewed, their suicide rate goes down.

Again, there may be other factors that we're not privy to. Was he in drug rehab? Was he on meds? I don't know. In fact, I've never been involved in a show. But, I know people who've researched it, and I'm just gossiping.

I still say it was a sad day for kids. Kind of like when the radio Lone Ranger died in car crash, but that's another thread.