SUPERMAN DAYS DRAW CELEBRITIES FROM FILM AND DC COMICS

Crowds have flocked to Metropolis, Ill. this weekend to take part in the city's 22nd annual Superman Celebration. The festival continues today.

Margo Kidder; Noel Neill

METROPOLIS, Ill. -- "The spandex is comfortable," said Superman, a.k.a. Scott Cranford, the 6-1, 208 pound former professional body builder from Los Angeles.

Though his earnings don't amount to much for his four day portrayal of the "man of steel" for the 22 annual Superman Celebration, Cranford said, "It's great. I couldn't think of a better job."

Along with Cranford, the star-studded festival included appearances by Margot Kidder, Marc McClure and Noel Neill.

Kidder played Lois Lane from 1978 to 1987 in the Superman film series with Christopher Reeve and offered some behind the scenes information about making the movies.

She is currently working on her autobiography, due out in October, but now says she is not so sure about releasing it. "It's tough with autobiographies you either hurt people you care about or the book becomes too narcissistic."

She also just finished the movie Hi-Line, filmed in a small town in Montana where she now lives.

Kidder made several appearances in Metropolis this weekend. Present for an autograph session, celebrity-media mixer, and introduction to her fans, Kidder was all the more grateful to be there.

The actress seems to value small towns these days, instead of the hustle and bustle of Hollywood. "I'm a small town girl...I like small towns and rural communities. Metropolis is great."

As for Kidder's now dormant bi-polar disorder, she has been giving informational speeches around the country, touting the benefits of certain herbs and nutrients as replacements for prescription drugs for manic depression.

"It keeps the disorder under control...I think it's a sensible approach instead of staying on drugs the rest of your life," she said.

Neill, who played Lois Lane in the 1950s TV series with George Reeves, made a surprise appearance Friday night at the Superman TV Series Film Festival. After one of the 50-year-old episodes was over, Neill strode into the Metropolis Merv Griffin Theater, talked with fans, and answered questions. Currently, re-runs of the '50s show can be seen at a very early 4 a.m. on TNT.

McClure, who played cub-reporter Jimmy Olsen in the Superman film series, informed onlookers that the "Superman the Movie", his favorite of the four, will be coming out on DVD this Christmas.

Not only were some of the big film names in Metropolis, but so were five representatives from the DC Comics world. This included Mike Carlin, Executive Editor of DC Comics, Jeph Loeb, the current writer for Superman, and inkers and artists, Ed McGuinness, Doug Hazlewood, and Tom Nguyen.

To round off the total celebrity count were two authors, Michael Bifulco, author of "Superman on Television," and Jan Alan Jackson, author of "Speeding Bullet: The Life and Bizzare Death of George Reeves."

The festivities in Metropolis continue today, including an all-day carnival and antique car show.

Sarah Muench, editor of the Tiger will be a senior at Central High School this fall.