“Super Hollywood” Threatens $1.5 Million Dollar Lawsuit Against The Original Prop Blog
March 1, 2008 by Jason DeBord
Received via e-mail yesterday:
From: Super Hollywood
Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 4:08 AM
To: jason@originalpropblog.com
Subject: SupermanDear Jason De Bord
This is a private missive from myself to you, and is
not for public consumption.
As I’ve written to you, I enjoy your blog.
Unfortunately it appears that your blog is becoming
the bash Super Hollywood site.
Furthermore, as I’ve mentioned to you, my attorney and
I are both monitoring your site.
I request now, that the post’s made by Cking be
immediately deleted.
It contains spurious and quite frankly ridiculous
comments. He is implying that he has seen EVERY
costume sold by us, and has personally seen EVERY
Chris Reeve created, (when in fact, all he’s ever
supposedly held has been only the fabric… and which
fabric? for the flying costume? That seems to be the
only costume that is being deemed authentic by you)
and he is making pronouncement regarding the
authenticity of our costumes, and calling them
‘replicas’.In addition, you are planning to make renewed
‘observation’s’ ie bashing. Regarding the Superman
costume on the today show.
You have already asked if that costume came from us,
and I told you no. You also gave me your word, that
if I responded to the ten questions regarding Super
Hollywood and Superman, which I have to the best of my
ability, that you would stop attacking me and my
company. I will hold you to your word. If you make
any further mention of myself, or Super Hollywood, or
attempt to tie us in with these continued swipes every
time a Superman costume comes on the market, be aware
that we will file a lawsuit against Mr. Jason De
Bord, and the OriginalProp.com for $1.5 Million
dollars.This lawsuit will be filed jointly in the appropriate
jurisdictions. Please understand, that for me to file
this lawsuit will cost me less than $3,000, and I am
certainly able and willing to do so.Jason, we’ve spoken a few times. Those conversations
have been pleasant ones. Please understand, it is not
my nature to make threats. I am not enjoying this,
but also understand, that I most certainly and
resolutely will follow through.
Sincerely,
Armando Alvarez
Super Hollywood
Jason De Bord
Additional Related Articles: Market Watch | Superman
As we still don’t know if these are real or fake costumes I’m curious to know the response of Jason to the proposed lawsuit ?
I’ve also received NO help authenticating these from the ‘so called’ experts who keep saying they’re fake.
If they’re fake please prove this to us. Everytime we listed our CR Superman we had the same 1-2 people say they’re fake. But now that I want PROOF, I’m not getting ANY help what so ever which leads me to believe that they’re NOT fake and that Super Hollywood is getting bashed for releasing Superman costumes.
All I ask is SOMEONE help us or stop with the accusations that our Superman and Supergirl are fake.
Mr. Pugia (“costumejunkie”):
1. I do not respond to legal threats. The e-mail threat was posted publicly to alert readers who elect to publish “Reader Comments” as to the potential reactions/consequences of their own personal statements (of which I claim no control or responsibility).
2. I have not stated in any article that I have written that any specific Superman costume is “fake” or inauthentic. A founding principle and philosophy of the Original Prop Blog (as explained in “About the OPB” link at the top of every page) is that every prop or costume is “inconclusive” until proven authentic or proven inauthentic.
3. I privately offered to provide additional assistance to you in attempting to authenticate your costume, and requested very specific, high resolution, close-up photos. You declined my offer.
4. Mr. Pugia, you wrote: “[i]f they’re fake please prove this to us”. I am unclear if this is directed to myself or the unidentified “experts” you reference. It is no one’s responsibility to prove something inauthentic unless they personally declare it as such. I have personally published no such proclamation about your costume, but am happy to help by continuing to share information on my blog. I am not determined to prove any specific piece either authentic or inauthentic, but merely to share information that may ultimately contribute to one finding or the other. I am merely a third party with no vested interest in these costumes. As the Original Prop Blog is non-profit and intended merely to serve the benefit of the hobby at large, and the scope of topics and issues explored on a daily basis is broad, I can make no commitments as to the timeliness of any assistance I might provide, or that a conclusion either way is even possible. All I am trying to do is to help fellow collectors and dealers by sharing information and facilitating an exchange of ideas.
My articles about Superman costumes are an attempt to help all hobbyists (collectors, dealers, auction houses, etc.) by sharing and examining information about what has been offered for sale publicly in the marketplace to date. If something has been sold or offered for sale in the public marketplace, public discussion and scrutiny of such pieces is appropriate.
I feel it is in the public interest to pursue clarity on long outstanding questions and issues regarding original Christopher Reeve costumes from the Superman films of the 70s/80s.
I have been respectful to all and published no personal determinations of “authentic” apart from the few costumes with paperwork from Warner Bros.
My position is that an open, honest, on topic, and respectful collective discourse and exchange of information and ideas between all interested parties benefits everyone.
My goal is for collectors to have a better informed understanding of what it is that they are buying when contemplating a potential acquisition.
Jason De Bord
I did provide high res pics of the costume as well as pics of the COA’s and the ‘S’ inside the costume.
After finding out about the proposed legal action from Super Hollywood against you, we’ve decided to hold onto our costumes and see what happens next.
I am ALSO asking for some “expert” to come forward to give an opinion on an “Christoper Reeve Original Superman Wool Cape” I purchased a number of years ago from Mr. Alvarez. AKA Super Hollywood. Unless it is deemed a “fake” or a “replica”, I will continue to assume it is an original as presented.
M. Edwards 1/2010