What We're Reading: A First Look at the New Documentary on Princeton's Chris Reeve

Princeton, NJ – Long before he was a Hollywood star, Chris Reeve was an accomplished actor in his hometown of Princeton. Even as a student at Princeton Day School, he won small roles at McCarter Theatre. After graduating from Cornell, Reeve performed on stage on Broadway, working his way up to increasingly important parts.

When he won a breakthrough part in film, as the star of Superman, his hometown played a small role in that story. Reeve, playing the role of Clark Kent, mild mannered reporter, already had some familiarity with the Lois Lane role. Reeve’s mother, Barbara Johnson, was a longtime news reporter for the Town Topics newspaper.

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Reeve’s life changed dramatically when he was paralyzed in a horseback riding accident in 1995. He died in 2004 at the age of 52.

Some of Reeve’s hometown friends and fans will take a special interest in the new documentary, “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story,” premiering in theaters this week, with screenings Wednesday, September 25 -- what would have been Reeve’s 72nd birthday.

NJ.com/ NJ Advance Media’s Amy Kuperinsky has previewed the film. Her article opens with this anecdote :

He was the Man of Steel.

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But after Christopher Reeve’s horseback riding accident in 1995, there was talk of taking him off life support.

Maybe they should let him go, he said. His mother, Barbara Johnson, thought that would be best.

His wife did not.

Then Dana Reeve said the words that changed everything:

“You’re still you and I love you.”

It was a message that would help the actor who played Superman survive and transform — becoming an advocate for people with paralysis, spinal cord injuries, and disabilities.

Kuperinsky writes that “the fateful scene is one of many poignant moments” in the documentary. It will be screened Wednesday, September 25, at the Regal Theaters in Hamilton and North Brunswick. Click here for more information .

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