Over the past two years, I have archived a number of examples of Superman costumes and costume components offered for sale publicly in the marketplace attributed to use in the Superman films of the 70s-80s starring Christopher Reeve and characterized as “original” and “authentic” that include provenance from “Super Hollywood” (signed by both Armando Alvarez and Ana Mungia). Of those examples in which the letter is actually depicted, all of them refer to the pieces as “gifts”. While only a handful of the many examples actually show scans and photos of the letters, I have to date collected a number of examples, so thought it would be appropriate to list them here for the purpose of analysis and discussion.
All other issues and concerns aside as to the authenticity of the pieces themselves, can one reasonably believe that the producers of the film gifted dozens of pieces (valued at thousands to tens of thousands of dollars each) to one costumer (also characterized as an employee, a subcontractor and “head costumer”) on a short-lived television series that had nothing to do with the original Christopher Reeve films or the costume maker Bermans and Nathans?
These 19 letters describe 9 costumes, 9 capes, and 1 “S” emblem.
Some letters are signed by Ana Mungia (“Wardrobe MGM Studios”,”Disney MGM Studios”, “MGM/Disney Studios”, “Creative Design”, “Creative Costume Design”).
Many of the Ana Mungia documents are on “Super Hollywood” letterhead.
Some letters are signed by Armando Alvarez (“President, Super Hollywood”).
Below is the current archive, as of the date of this article, ordered chronologically. Click each image for higher resolutions.
“Gift” Excerpt:
“This is to certify that the Superman costume in the position of Super Hollywood was one of the costumes acquired by me as personal gifts from the Salkinds during my employ for their Superboy production.”
“Gift” Excerpt:
“This is to certify that the Superman costume in the position of Super Hollywood was one of the costumes acquired by me as personal gifts from the Salkinds during my employ for their Superboy production.”
“Gift” Excerpt:
“This is to certify that the Superman costume in the position of Super Hollywood was one of the costumes acquired by me as personal gifts from the Salkinds during my employ for their Superboy production.”
“Gift” Excerpt:
“This is to certify that the Superman cape in the possession of Super Hollywood was one of the red wool capes acquired by me as personal gifts from the Salkinds, during my employ for their Superboy production.”
“Gift” Excerpt:
“This is to certify that the dark maroon red Superman cape in the possession of Super Hollywood was one of the capes acquired by me as personal gifts from the Salkinds, during my employ for their Superboy production.”
“Gift” Excerpt:
“During the late 1980’s to early 1990’s I had the pleasure in assisting Salkinds production in their Adventures of Superboy television series. As a model for the Superboy costume, we were given access to the original Superman costumes of Berman’s of England. This costume was given to me as a gift.”
“Gift” Excerpt:
“During the late 1980’s to early 1990’s I had the pleasure in assisting Salkinds production in their Adventures of Superboy television series. As a model for the Superboy costume, we were given access to the original Superman costumes of Berman’s of England. This costume was given to me as a gift.”
“Gift” Excerpt:
“During the late 1980’s to early 1990’s I had the pleasure in assisting Salkinds production in their Adventures of Superboy television series. As a model for the Superboy costume, we were given access to the original Superman costumes of Berman’s of England. This costume was given to me as a gift.”
“Gift” Excerpt:
“I was subcontracted by the Salkinds to work on their Superboy production, and was given various Superman costumes to use as models. The red Superman cape with yellow relief S emblem on the reverse, was acquired by me as a personal gift from the Salkinds.”
“Gift” Excerpt:
“This Chris Reeve costume is an authentic Superman costume created for Mr. Christopher Reeve for the Superman movies of the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. It is one of many created for the Superman movies. Superman was produced by Ilya and Alexander Salkind. The Movie Superman spawned various sequels. It was obtained from the head costumer who worked for the Salkinds and given to me as a gift.”
“Gift” Excerpt:
“During the late 1980’s to early 1990’s I had the pleasure in assisting Salkinds production in their Adventures of Superboy television series. As a model for the Superboy costumes, we were given access to the original Superman costumes of Berman’s of England. The above was one of the costume items given to me as a gift.”
“Gift” Excerpt:
“During the late 1980’s to early 1990’s I had the pleasure in assisting Salkinds production in their Adventures of Superboy television series. As a model for the Superboy costume, we were given access to the original Superman costumes of Berman’s of England. This emblem was given to me as a gift.”
“Gift” Excerpt:
“The Dark maroon Superman cape without tag or inscription is one of the items given to me in the mid 1980’s during the filming of the Adventures of Superboy in Orlando Florida. I was working for MGM/Disney studios and subcontracted out to the Superman production for the Superboy costumes. Christopher Reeve items where used as models for the Florida series.”
“Gift” Excerpt:
“The Red Superman cape with Berman tag is one of the items given to me in the mid 1980’s during the filming of the Adventures of Superboy in Orlando Florida. I was working for MGM/Disney studios and subcontracted out to the Superman production for the Superboy costumes. Christopher Reeve items where used as models for the Florida series.”
“Gift” Excerpt:
“The Dirty Superman costume dark blue tunic with maroon attached trunks with Berman tag, dark blue leggings without tag, Maroon cape with gold S emblem is one of the items given to me in the mid 1980’s during the filming of the Adventures of Superboy in Orlando Florida. I was working for MGM/Disney studios and subcontracted out to the Superman production for the Superboy costumes. Christopher Reeve items where used as models for the Florida series.”
“Gift” Excerpt:
“This dark maroon Superman cape, Christopher Reeve, from Superman III, was given to me in the early 1990’s by the head costumer at Disney/MGM studios. During that time various Superman Christopher Reeve items were given to the costumer to be used as models for the Superboy costumes filmed at MGM studious.”
“Gift” Excerpt:
“This dark maroon Superman cape, Christopher Reeve, from Superman III, was given to me in the early 1990’s by the head costumer at Disney/MGM studios. During that time various Superman Christopher Reeve items were given to the costumer to be used as models for the Superboy costumes filmed at MGM studious.”
“Gift” Excerpt:
“This dark maroon Superman cape, Christopher Reeve, from Superman III, was given to me in the early 1990’s by the head costumer at Disney/MGM studios. During that time various Superman Christopher Reeve items were given to the costumer to be used as models for the Superboy costumes filmed at MGM studious.”
“Gift” Excerpt:
“This dark maroon Superman cape, Christopher Reeve, from Superman III, was given to me in the early 1990’s by the head costumer at Disney/MGM studios. During that time various Superman Christopher Reeve items were given to the costumer to be used as models for the Superboy costumes filmed at MGM studious.”
For more information, please reference:
Jason De Bord