7. Glenn Ford as Pa Kent, Superman (1978)
The Man Of Steel is gearing up for another run at silver-screen glory this year, with one of the most important elements to his character being at the centre of its story; does Kal-El embrace his alien heritage and follow Jor-El's teachings or stick with a morality we know and love, taught to him by Pa Kent. When the 1978 Superman was released, Glenn Ford was still just about a screen icon known for playing ordinary men in extraordinary circumstances. He brought a quiet dignity and moral centre to arguably the greatest superhero movie of all time, and pulled off one of the most affecting death scenes in recent film memory - Pa Kent makes Superman the hero he is, and the fact that Ford did it in such little screen time is testament to his importance to Superman in the movies. Let's see if Kevin Costner can give him a run for his money in this summer's Man Of Steel.
Steve Kuncewicz
Contributor
Media Lawyer by trade, geek for life. Also known variously as a mediocre guitarist, sometime writer, rock enthusiast and aspiring supervillain.
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