Near the bottom of Illinois, not far from Paducah, Kentucky, the small town
of Metropolis snuggles up to the Ohio River, a few miles from Fort Massac State
Park. When Robert Westerfield moved there in the early 70s, no one had thought
of the place as the home of comic-book character and film star, Superman. But
through Westerfield’s initiative, the Illinois House of Representatives officially
declared Metropolis, Illinois, as the Hometown of Superman in 1972. After a
failed attempt to establish a Superman theme park, locals began the Superman
Celebration in 1979, after the popularity of the macho man in tights soared,
following the blockbuster movie starring Christopher Reeves. By 1986 tourism
had slowed, but the town raised enough funds to build a 7-foot high fiberglass
statue of Superman. In 1988, Metropolis once again capitalized on its association
with the Man of Steel, during the 50th anniversary of America’s favorite superhero.
Five years later the town erected a 15-foot bronze statue that stands in front
of the Court House–in (you guessed it) Superman Square. This year from June
12 through 15, Metropolis hosts the 25th annual Superman Celebration. Actor
Bob Holiday, who played Superman in the 1966 Broadway production of It’s
a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman, will proudly wear the big red “S.”
Yvonne Craig, the actress best known for her sultry portrayal of Cat Woman in
the 1960s Batman series, purrs her way around town. Noel Neill, the definitive
Lois Lane from the television series with George Reeves, will be on hand to
sell her autobiography. Neill also appeared in a Superman movie serial in 1948
and in the 1978 Christopher Reeves movie, giving her the distinction of being
in three different eras of Superman adventures. The town promises a carnival,
street theater, costume contests, a Superman Film Festival, and a Superman Playhouse
Theater, plus other exciting events related to the 60-year-old comic book character.
Metropolis, like everywhere these days, has few phone booths, leaving Clark
Kent with practically no place to change his clothes. Who would have thought
cell phones could affect Superman more than Kryptonite?
This article appears in May 29 – Jun 4, 2003.
