Urban Legend

Last updated: 05/04/2007 - 16:22

Living in Hollywood can make you famous. Dying in Hollywood can make you a legend.

Adrien Brody, Ben Affleck, Diane Lane, Bob Hoskins and Robin Tunney star in the DVD and Blu-Ray release of Hollywoodland, the compelling tale of the success and mysterious demise of 1950’s Superman actor George Reeves.

Oscar Nominations

Hotly tipped for Oscar nominations, Hollywoodland is packed with DVD extras that will sweep you further into the life of the original television 'Man of Steel' and one of Hollywood's most glamorous golden eras. The film stars a critically acclaimed cast of Academy Award winners, including: Adrien Brody and Ben Affleck, and Academy Award nominees, Diane Lane and Bob Hoskins. Bringing to life the cocktail hour glamour of the time, the film is set to continue dazzling the awards season. Highly praised for his role as Reeves, Ben Affleck received a 'Golden Globe' nomination for his supporting role, having previously picked up the best actor award at the Venice Film Festival, with many reviewers considering this is his finest acting performance.

As the film opens the date is June 16, 1959, the setting is California. Everything seems idyllic – but the glamour of tinsel town permanently fades for actor George Reeves, the star of the televised Adventures of Superman, as the actor dies in his Hollywood Hills home.

Felled by a single gunshot wound, Reeves leaves behind his fiancée - aspiring starlet Leonore Lemmon - and millions of fans who are shocked by his death. But it is his grieving mother, Helen Bessolo, who will not let the questionable circumstances surrounding his demise go unaddressed. Helen seeks justice, or at least answers. The Los Angeles Police Department closes the case, but Helen hires - for $50 a day - private detective Louis Simo. Simo soon ascertains that the torrid affair Reeves had with Toni Mannix, the wife of MGM studio executive Eddie Mannix, might hold the key to the truth behind his death.

DC Comics

An icon to millions as the DC Comics Krypton-born hero Superman, Hollywoodland delves deep into the mystery that surrounds the death of George Reeves, played here by Ben Affleck (The Sum of All Fears, Dogma, Chasing Amy). An exploration of fame and identity, this absorbing drama follows private detective Louis Simo – played by Adrien Brody (The Pianist, King Kong) and his investigation into the darker side of Hollywood.

As Brody’s detective begins to uncover unexpected connections to his own life and learns more about Reeves, the case becomes more personal. Touching on long-standing conspiracy theories, Simo explores Reeves' relationship with fiancé Leonore Lemmon – played by Robin Tunney - his affair with benefactor Toni Mannix - Diane Lane (Judge Dredd), the jealousy of Hollywood heavyweight Eddie Mannix - Bob Hoskins (Mona Lisa, The Long Good Friday) and the final verdict of suicide following his personal struggle with being typecast as the 'man in tights'.

Based on the true story of tinsel town’s most notoriously unsolved mystery, Hollywoodland is the feature film debut from director Allen Coulter, the multi-award winning director of The Sopranos.

With strong performances from a cast of Hollywood favourites, Hollywoodland takes you to the heart of 1950's tinsel town glamour and underneath the suit of a complex man, both blessed and cursed by his most famous role. A host of DVD extras will continue to explore the mystery with a 'behind the headlines' look at the facts surrounding Reeves' death, a feature on how Hollywood has changed in the last 60 years and a detailed explanation of how the Hollywood look was recreated for the film. This all combines to make Hollywoodland a must-own DVD.

Hollywoodland is a glitteringly gripping insight into the highs and lows of stardom in Hollywood.

Here’s what the critics have been saying: "Brilliantly made film" - Jonathan Ross. “Certainly Oscar-worthy" - The Times.

The DVD extras on Hollywoodland look like this:

  • Re-creating old Hollywood featurette

  • Behind the headlines featurette

  • Hollywood then and now featurette

  • Feature commentary with Director Allen Coulter

  • Deleted Scenes


  • Hollywoodland is out now, rated 15.

    More information available in DVD / Home Video

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