Original artwork, not a still
Some people can read War and Peace and come away thinking it’s a simple adventure story. Others can read the ingredients on a chewing gum wrapper and unlock the secrets of the universe.
— Superman
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Luthor is boasting, and the joke is that he is mostly right: his mind finds patterns where others see a story. It is villain-as-genius in one line, delivered by Gene Hackman with a bored sneer, and it works for any smug claim that some people simply read between the lines better. Fans quote it ironically at readers who miss the point, and at themselves when they over-analyse.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for SupermanShow the scene
In Superman (1978), Lex Luthor is in his underground lair with Miss Teschmacher and the bumbling Otis, studying Lois Lane's newspaper interview with Superman. Miss Teschmacher reads out the hero's attributes: tall, dark-haired, blue-eyed, and a man who does not drink, smoke or lie. Luthor, unimpressed, answers with this speech about how different minds read the same thing, and she asks what chewing gum has to do with the secrets of the universe. He ignores the question and carries on working out the facts of Superman's origin from the interview.
Sources (2)
- Wikiquote: Superman (1978 film)Dialogue, Lex's lairReference checked
- Springfield! Springfield! script: SupermanLex's lairReference checked
Context reviewed
