An image display control apparatus ensures reduction of memory capacity and cost. The apparatus generates an image superimposing instruction when a second screen effect control is not performed, and image data of first to third frame memories are selectively output according to a select signal in the absence of the image superimposing instruction. Image data for superimposition and background data are stored in the third frame memory and a background data memory respectively, and the coincidence of the stored background and superimposition image data is determined. When the image superimposing instruction is issued, image data of the third frame memory and image data produced based on the image data of the first or second frame memory are selectively output according to the results of discrimination to yield single combined image data. A still picture reproducing system produces a still picture even when a control drive unit is connected to a player or a recording medium such as a control disk is not loaded in the control drive unit even when it is connected to the system. When playback control data as a playback control program is not fed to the player, spare control data is read out from first storage means and still picture data is read out by the image drive unit in accordance with the spare control data, to produce a video signal.