As I write this column on Aug. 13, on the occasion of my 55th birthday, there is one standout gift I received that represents so much more than just a gift of sentiment.
My intern-turned-work associate (and right-hand man) Luke Miiller purchased a $35 small metal replica of a newspaper sales box, a rare landscape sight these days.
This particular miniature newspaper box is for the famed but fictitious The Daily Planet newspaper, the beloved print publication that dual identity reporter Clark Kent and alter-ego Superman worked for, side-by-side with photographer Jimmy Olsen, rival scoop reporter Lois Lane and angry publisher Perry White.
Luke purchased the keepsake last month when I joined him and others at AMC 16 in Schererville to see the new Warner Bros. “Superman” film starring David Corenswet in the title role. The tin box includes a hinged plastic clear window where a small paper copy of an issue of The Daily Planet, featuring a large photo of Superboy’s canine pal Krypto on the front page with a mock story.
This memento box is really intended to hold enough popcorn to fill a large bucket, but the concession stand conveniently serves the popcorn in a separate bucket.
I liked the new film version of “Superman.” However, given I was born in 1970, the original “Superman: The Movie” released in 1978 and starring the late greats Christopher Reeve as the man in the cape opposite Gene Hackman as scheming Lex Luthor will still always rank tops in my heart and mind.
Most of all, I’m proud of both films’ treatment of newspapers and reporters chasing after their stories as a narrative of the excitement and adventure represented by the journalism field.
From coverage of county fairs to city council meetings, school boards, politics, crime, business and corruption to the contrasting content of enlightenment from feature stories, columnists, entertainment, sports and arts and culture, newspapers have had it all covered for centuries, and delivered to doorsteps (or the digital equivalent in recent decades).
If you open the inside well of my newspaper box proudly displayed at work on my desk, carefully folded to fit the interior is a full-size copy of The Daily Planet, published by Gannett Media on July 7 as a “wrap-around” souvenir covering USA Today, released as a special promotional bonus to push movie ticket sales.
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The front page includes stories with bylines by both Lois Lane and Clark Kent as well as photos with a Jimmy Olsen credit.
This isn’t the first time USA Today and parent company Gannett have surprised readers with a clever keepsake souvenir edition. Reader and friend Tammie Miller, spotting my newspaper box on my desk last week, reminded me that a decade ago, the Oct. 15, 2015, issue of USA Today was also a special milestone edition. That magical date is the date that appeared on the prop newspaper held by actor Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly in the hit film sequel “Back to the Future Part II” released in 1989 by Universal Pictures.
As spotted in the quick glimpse scene in the film, the prop newspaper shows it is sold for $3 in the predicted year 2015. In truth, USA Today sold for $2 in 2015 and today sells for $3.
When Gannett printed up the commemorative prop replica newspapers on Oct. 15, 2015, they were sold for $6. (Tammie Miller happened to snag one!)
Among the headlines and predictions on the prop newspaper attempting to predict the future for the year 2015? There are story teases and references to the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series, royal coverage of “Queen Diana,” the popularity of rehydrated pizza, hoverboards and a female U.S. president.
There is also a large banner headline that reads: “Cholesterol may be cancer cure”
Newspapers are a reason to keep smiling: past, present and future.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and weekly radio host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at [email protected].