Superman in New York City

I’m writing this piece on the 21st anniversary of the passing of Christopher Reeve (10.10.2004) may you rest in eternal peace Superman!

So as I always do when I visit New York City is a nerdy walk to a movie location or an iconic spot forged in history, as Superman was released on December 10th 1978 i was almost 4 years of age, so didn’t really understand it, but as I got older it soon became one of my all time favourite movies, Christopher Reeve as Superman becoming my hero, seeing on the big screen is always exciting, owning it on Blueray and now watching on Netflix or Prime whatever it’s showing on, adds to its enduring allure and keeps the movie alive, the cast was excellently chosen with now sadly many now passed away, but their acting genious stays with us.

Main Cast Characters

• Superman played by Christopher Reeve (Died October 10th 2004)
• Lois Lane played by Margot Kidder (Died May 13th 2018)
• Lex Luthor played by Gene Hackman (Died February 18th 2025)
• Otis played by Ned Beatty (Died June 13th 2021)
• Jor-El played by Marlon Brando (Died July 01st 2004)
• Perry White played by Jackie Cooper (Died May 03rd 2011)
• Non played by Jack O’Halloran (Still alive & kicking)
• Miss Teschmacher played by Valerie Perrine
• Ursa played by Sarah Douglas (Still alive & kicking)
• General Zod played by Terence Stamp (Died August 17th 2025)
• Lara played by Susannah York (Died January 11th 2011)
• Jimmy Olsen played by Marc McClure (Still alive & kicking)

Locations in New York City

Clarke Kent & Lois Lane both worked at the Daily Planet Newspaper building located in the heart of Metropolis, many scenes depicted the interior of the Daily Planet which was more than likely on a set at either Pinwood Studios, England or Shepperton Studios, England but the exterior shots and the lobby with the large globe and world clocks was filmed in Manhattan, New York City at the Daily News building located on 220 East 42nd Street, Manhattan, New York, NY. not to far from Grand Central station and the Chrysler Building, it became the back drop for the infamous helicopter crash scene as well as numerous times seeing Clark & Lois walking in the lobby by the globe or outside, fast becoming an iconic visiting point for movie buffs and general visitors, if you know your movies you know this location

I set off to locate the building on Saturday 04th October 2025, a day that was unseasonably warm actully around 87 degrees, alot going on in the city as it normally does 6th Avenue closed to allow market stall traders, massive parade with over 100,000 participant celebrating Poland, so as you can imagine it was crazy, but i persevered making my way across to the Daily News building to see the Globe and the little bit of Superman memorabilia inside the lobby, when I finally reached the building it immediatley stood out, right in front of me was the iconic Daily Planet the place i’d only seen in the movies or read in comics, it was there right there!

I noticed straightaway a large scaffolding type frame way across the front of the building slightly obscuring the facade, not to be put off I proceeded to the large revolving doors at the front of the main lobby, as seen in the movie, when I got there it was locked (nooooooo) a guard came from behind a desk opened the door and asked me what I needed, i told him just to see the globe and the Superman memoribilia? He apologised and advised me the lobby was closed to visitors due to cleaning (arghhh) so near yet so far, regardless I took some picture as seen further down, of the globe and the lobby, I walked the route Clark & Lois walked when they came out of the building, I didn’t spin in the revolving door like Clark when he changed, nor did I swoop up the building, what I did do is stand in exactly the spot where one of my favourite films was shot and acted out, I stood where my hero had once stood in character, in his costume, to me it was an acheivement. After hanging around for a while taking pictures I set off bound for my last stop on this whirlwind Superman tour.

Grand Central Station

Grand Central Station was the location when the polce were tracking Otis as he made his way back to Lex Luthors lair, he wanders through the city onto the main concourse of Grand Central Station before heading to the tracks, where the unsuspecting police officer if killed by the train, it was hard to depict the exact location he walked as I beleive it was done across 10 takes due to extra’s messing the scene up, still I walked as near to the place as I could where potentially Otis strolled.

So there you have my small but very fulfilling tour of a couple of notable locations from the amazing Superman films, to some this will be naff but to others hopefully you’ll get a sense of being there and seeing the locations as they are, I was gutted about not going inside the building but I got close enough to say “I was there”.

Thank you for your interest and your taking a moment to read my piece.