This is my 1994 interview with Christopher Reeve for the film, "Speechless." We talked about a huge box office hit that he turned down, a Superman promotional appearance he refused to do, the most romantic gesture he ever made, and more.
I love the fact that his objection to walking out at half-time wasn’t because he felt it was beneath him, it’s that the crowd would be disappointed that he couldn’t actually fly.
He's so right, though. Seeing Superman just walk out and then just walk back off would look kind of silly, and be really disillusioning to every kid in the audience. Superman WOULD just fly away. He wanted to protect the illusion.
Yeah, it's one thing to walk into a hospital to see sick kids. They still have the illusion of, "Well of course he walked in, how could he fly in?" But the middle of a football field, just to walk off? That'd be disappointing.
@@AWSVids : SO right. His awareness of this reflects how he genuinely cares, and his consideration shows his intelligence. He was cooler than I thought
@@paulpolpiboon9535 As soon as I heard him say that, it reminded me of what Tom Baker said (among others) regarding playing the Doctor in Doctor Who. He quite rightly said that children don't see the actor, they see the Doctor and that's who you have to be for them.
still should be if you know anything of what he did. Better man then 90+% the world. proving anyone can make positive difference. stop feeling sorry for yourself and go help people.
I remember the moment exactly where I found out. I was in a Seven Eleven buying a slurpee and there was a tv running in the store with the news on it. I was heartbroken as if I heard the news that the real Superman was crippled. I was 13.
1:30 This is exactly why he is still THE Superman. He respected the character. More importantly he respected the audience’s expectation of the character. Sure, we know Christopher Reeve can’t fly. But Superman can. If he’s walking out, he ain’t Superman. What a great guy. God bless you, Christopher Reeve. Hope you’re flying now.
Back in an era when the interviewer didn't blindside the interviewee with "so, regarding your recent DUI...." type questions. When you speak to people with respect, you get thoughtful well articulated answers. Well done.
I can completely understand where Reeve was coming from with wearing the costume. Once you put on the cape, there comes with it expectations; the main one being flight. So, yeah, Reeve knew that if he did any appearances, there had better be wires to get him to fly off. RIP Mr. Reeve. My childhood hero, and forever Superman.
I once read a story about George Reeves where he dressed as Superman and met with saw some kids and they started punching and kicking him because he's supposed to be invulnerable.
I love this! Chris seems so alive and vibrant and I love how he shows integrity. He had scruples and wasn't up for taking the audience for fools either. You also get a sense of Christopher Reeve's sense of humour here too. His career should've been so much bigger and more varied too, but it's one of those things in life where a role is so powerful in the minds of people that they never see you as anything else. Christopher Reeve will always be Superman but I guess that's not such a bad legacy to leave to the world?
If I had a Time machine, the first thing I do is go back and warn him about that accident. Then again, that was just a further display of incredible courage and integrity from Chris.
What a charismatic, charming, handsome, wise, classy man! He’s the embodiment of something grand. What always never fails to amaze me is how he embodied Superman as a character. He set the bar way too high for future actors to play the role of the man of steel. It’s mind boggling how the film Superman aged, but the method in which Christopher Reeve played Superman never aged!!!
He has an amazing combination of intensity and wholesomeness. Combined with the eyes of a boy scout, above a jaw that looks like a concrete block. What a perfect choice for Superman.
Christopher Reeve showed Tremendous Class -- This seems like a press junket for the film "Speechless" and he was more than accommodating in talking about his past works. I can't say that actors would go this far today.
That moment when he said "oh gee"... Clark Kent just showed up for a second there. To me, and to many, many others he simply was Superman. Every other actor since him to take on the role, they don't really measure up. The best way I've heard to describe anyone playing Superman since Christopher Reeve is that the suit wears them. They kinda try to live up to wearing that outfit. Christopher Reeve, he wore the outfit, he wasn't really trying to live up to anyone else's interpretation, he simply made the role his own. He was wearing a ridiculous outfit. So what, he's Superman, who's going to argue? That's my two pence worth anyway. And, given what happened to him just a short while after that interview and how he approached it and what his foundation did to raise awareness and funding for spinal injuries... He almost literally became a real Superman, if not in physical capabilities, certainly in strength of spirit. The man was a complete legend. He will always be missed.
The problem is that WB/DC refused to embrace who Superman is. The dork Clark Kent plus the good two shoes Superman. Good two shoes telling kids there is a right and wrong is not a thing that he entertainment industry wants.
I’ve been blessed to have been given the unique opportunity of meeting my two favorite actors, known to me as “The Two Chris(s)”- Reeve and Walken, back in the mid 1980s. Both talented gentlemen spent their summers performing on stage at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts as part of the Williamstown Theater Festival. I met Chris Reeve in ‘84. He was walking out of a deli as I was walking in. We made small talk and I mentioned I was there to see him perform on stage that afternoon. He agreed to an autograph. I had a pen, yet no paper. I thought quickly and retrieved a printed lottery ticket I had purchased that morning. He signed it and wished me luck in winning. I still have it. Returned in the summer of ‘85 with my girlfriend for an evening performance. As Act One concluded, a brutal thunderstorm blew through town, knocking out all electricity. The theater manager announced that refunds would be available if patrons wished to wait in the lobby. Most theater goers left. My girl and I decided to stay because we were college kids without a lot of money. In total, about 15 people remained for refunds. Okay, here’s the GOOD PART: a side door in the lobby opened and who would appear? Chris Reeve, STILL in his period wardrobe from the play!! He approached our little group and apologized for the fact that we couldn’t see Act 2 of the show. He was BEYOND very kind. It’s my favorite memory of him. He was such a Class Act!! : ) Summer of ‘86. Chris Walken was appearing as Stanley in “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Later in life (2010), I, too, would portray the same role on stage. So, following the show, my (different) girlfriend caught word that a cast party was set at a nearby restaurant bar. We raced to the parking lot, got into my car, and hyperspaced over to the party. Yes! We arrived early. Very few people were there. My girl leaned against a wall about 25 feet opposite the bar. With my back to the bar, facing her, we talked about the play, the cast, the acting, etc. At one point, I said to her, “I really hope to meet Chris Walken.” Then it was like something out of a movie….. She looked over my shoulder and slightly pointed. “He’s right there.” I turned around and Chris was standing alone at the bar facing us!! I approached him and shared how much I admired him and the show. Because I wasn’t a CRAZED FAN, I kept my cool and we continued a private conversation for a good 20 minutes. THAT is another amazing memory! Thanks for reading…. And yes, it’s all true! : )
Man, had he never been in that accident I am 100% sure we would have seen him suit back up fully for different TV shows and films like how we’re seeing these crossover multi-verses movies now.
Say what you like about Christoper Reeves. He led a wonderful life with a beautiful wife and beautiful children who grew up to be productive human beings. He brought Superman to life and will be forever be immortalized as Superman long after his death. He was best friends with Robin Williams who godfathered and help raised his kids after both Chris and his wife died. And even when tradegy struck, he spent the remainder of his life making the most of it and bringing awareness to others with so many technological advancements improving the quality of life for individuals who were like him. He wasn't perfect by all meand but he was a great humanitarian and will always be beloved as Superman.
Unfortunately his wife Dana 1961-2006 passed away 2 years after his death of cancer. It is Reeve not Reeves. There was an actor who played Superman on tv in 1950s named George Reeves who played the superhero before his own death by suicide.
@@staytrue5307 How was Fran's comment "unnecessary"? It was a nice comment, and to see that most of the following comments here are just bashing this person for a small mistake is rather disheartening.
Chris Reeve is Superman. I believed he could fly. Superman 1978 is still the best superhero movie ever made. His life and legacy will always be an inspiration to me.
Wonderful to see this interview of a time when Chris was still young and in perfect health. Amazing man that will never be forgotten. Yes he would have loved not being typecast, but millions of fans worldwide will always be grateful he did the Superman films. Always THE BEST SUPERMAN.
Omg at 1:33 when he said tip my head and fly away don't wanna do that. That broke my heart. I think we all wish his accident would have been prevented what a great and gentle man. I'm glad he helped many spinal cord patients with his nonproft organization. Rest within peace kind man.
I always thought he was born to play Superman, but, "Oh gee", he was clearly born to play Clark Kent as well. But he was much more than that role as an actor
As you can tell, Superman was pivotal to me growing up in the 80s. Superman l, ll, and lll are my all-time favorite nostalgic movies. I still tear up when Lois dies and he turns back time to save her. He loved her so passionately, he would break every law in existence just to save her. That is profound love. 😭
Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us. What a precious bit with one of the finest most humble human beings that ever made us believe and dream on the big silverscreen. Such a wholesome interview with well thought out and well articulated questions and answers in just 5 ½ Minutes. Reeve's spirit is still alive and well as people still love him dearly. He certainly has touched a lot of peoples hearts and minds alike.
It was cool seeing both, Christopher Reeve and Michael Keaton big-screen Superman and Batman movie stars in "Speechless". Geena Davis and Ernie Hudson also, star in that film.
@@MrKirbbdogg You're 100 % correct my man. Christopher Reeve and Michael Keaton appearing in the same film. Plus Michael Keaton's co-star Geena Davis appeared in "Speechless" and Ghostbusters star Ernie Hudson as well co-star with Bill Murray in the Ghostbusters films.
@@christopherandrews458 and Geena also worked with bill in movie called quick change in 1990.But yeah Michael Keaton Christopher Reeve were to me the selling point of this movie.If there is a picture or them together.That might be used as a prop for Michael Keatons return as Batman in the Flash movie
I love Christopher Reeve, and still sooo sad that he isn't here anymore. I remember reading online that he had died, bursting into tears. I hope his children are doing ok.
An acting couch in college told me his student Christopher Reeve reminded him of his student James Stewart and I reminded him of them. Best compliment I ever got.
Great interviewer and great interview! Loved the questions. You really got Chris engaged in it and it really showed his charm and why he'll always be remembered.
Interesting. His predecessor (George Reeves) also refused to make appearances in the costume. But not just because kids would be asking him to do something super. He also had a fear that some kid would get hold of his dad's gun and try to bounce bullets off his chest.
George Reeves did make personal appearances in costume. He and Jack Larson used to go all over the place. There was a point where they went to a segregated area in the South where George refused to suit up because he thought it was unfair that only the white kids got a chance to meet and greet Superman and not the children of color. By his logic: 'Superman is for everyone'.
That's crazy! Christopher Reeve was in that movie with Michael Keaton! My Superman and Batman! R.I.P Christopher Reeve, ur memory will always live on! 🌹
Christopher Reeve was the embodiment of Superman, my hero as a kid and still someone I look up to and admire to this day. There will never be another like him EVER!
