Margot Kidder, who will forever be known as Lois Lane in 1978’s Superman: The Movie and its sequel has died at the age of 69.
I, like millions of other fans, grew up with the Christopher Reeve Superman movies. They were a big part of my childhood. Reeve and Kidder were two actors I would watch over and over trading barbs, flirting and flying over Metropolis.
It’s strange when I think back on the impact Kidder made on me. She was one of those actresses back then that I was smitten by. She was in that group of women I would watch in movies and on television who shook my young adolescent belief that maybe all girls weren’t that icky and some might actually be cool. It might be nice to kiss one!
To this day Kidder is still my favorite Lois Lane. Sure, Phyllis Coates and Noel Neill were good on that old tv show, but this was my Superman and Lois Lane! I recall first seeing that Superman movie and being completely dazzled by it all.
Surprisingly, Kidder was able to be just as exciting to watch as much as Superman catching bank robbers, stopping earthquakes and catching helicopters. Her scenes with Reeve as Superman and as Clark Kent are still as funny, romantic and sweet as ever. Those two had some great chemistry. Since their pairing no Superman and Lois actors have come close to capturing the magic they had with each other.
Sadly, Kidder’s career didn’t take off after Superman. Along with personal struggles she quietly faded from the spotlight with occasional appearances on tv and film.
It’s strange when I think back on her films. Besides the Superman films I could probably count on one hand the number of films I’ve seen her in. Of course, Amityville Horror, Black Christmas, Sisters. I know I watched Some Kind of Hero once when it first hit cable, but I don’t remember a thing about it today.
After her Lois Lane role, I never really saw much of her. The last time I saw her was I think her guest starring appearance on Smallville.
It will certainly be her role as Lois Lane that Kidder will lovingly be remembered for. To millions of fans they hold a deep affection for those Superman films and Kidder and Reeve are a big reason for that. They were Superman and Lois Lane to me.
And they still are.
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