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| The Fleischer Superman |
In 1941, a scant three years
after the introduction of Superman in 1938, animation producers Max and Dave Fleischer
were approached by Paramount Studios to create a
series of cartoons based on the new superhero. The results were breathtaking.
Although the Fleischers were hesitant to take the project, they treated the
topic seriously and used state-of-art techniques and technology to bring this
quintessential American character to life. A total of 17 episodes were
eventually produced (see below).
One innovation the Fleischers
introduced is Superman’s ability to fly. Prior to the cartoons, Superman
traveled by leaping, as in “Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!”
After initial animation tests, however, the scenes of Superman leaping lacked
the fluid motion the Fleischers sought. More frankly, they thought it looked
“silly.” After consultation with DC Comics, Superman began to fly both on the
screen and in the comics.
Max Fleischer invented rotoscoping,
the process in which animation is applied over live-action film footage to
create more natural movement. For the Superman cartoons, the Fleischers
employed this technique and over 600 artists and technical personnel to bring
the comic book superhero to life. No attention to detail was spared. The black shield on Superman's chest draws the eye to the character. Art Deco accents and the use
of shadows to emulate film noir lighting give a cinematic feel to the shorts. Brilliant special effects create electricity,
lightning, and fire to heighten the sense of danger. The overall production
design influenced the look of the critically acclaimed 1990s Superman: The Animated Series.
Following the first nine shorts,
a falling out between the brothers led to the creation of Famous Studios with many
of the same animators. The Fleischer Studio shorts, completed by the end of
1941, had mad scientists, robots, dinosaurs, earthquakes, meteors, and volcanos
– the stock and trade of the classic Man of Steel. Famous Studios, however, in
the wake of Pearl Harbor and the U.S. involvement in World War II, introduced
plots with Japanese saboteurs and Nazi spies. Here we begin to see the shift of
Superman from a brightly costumed super-powered pulp hero to an All-American
icon. Nevertheless, one cannot mistake a hint of racism in the title of the
episode “Japoteurs.” On many levels, these animated shorts typify the era.
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| Scene from “The Magnetic Telescope.” |
What I love about these cartoons
is not just the animation, which retains its beauty nearly eight decades
later, but also how they show America in the twilight of the Machine Age, that
period of time between the 1880s and 1945. We built big, from the Empire State
Building to the Hoover Dam, and had cautionary tragedies from the Titanic to the Hindenburg that tested our moral and technological limits. In many
respects, these cartoons embody the zeitgeist of the times and give us a unique
look at America at a critical time in its history. Click on the links below to see all 17 episodes on the Aeolus 13 Umbra YouTube channel!
Superman: The
Fleischer/Famous Studios Cartoons (1941-1943)
Episode descriptions by G. Jack Urso. From the Aeolus 13 Umbra YouTube Channel.
Episode descriptions by G. Jack Urso. From the Aeolus 13 Umbra YouTube Channel.
Episode 1: Superman (a.k.a. The Mad Scientist)
| Original Release Date:
September 26, 1941 | Production Studio: Fleischer Studios
In the this first episode, we learn of Superman’s origin and
watch him fight a Mad Scientist’s death ray to save Metropolis and Lois Lane —
just in the nick of time, of course!
Giant remote-control robots are
stealing fortunes in cash and jewels, and Lois is on the story — with Superman
not far behind.
Episode 3: Billion Dollar Limited |Original
Release Date: January 18, 1942 | Production Studio: Fleischer Studios
A billion dollars in gold on a
train attracts robbers and Superman!
Episode 4: The Arctic Giant |Original
Release Date: February 15, 1942 | Production Studio: Fleischer Studios
A giant dinosaur found frozen in
Siberia is shipped to the Metropolis Museum of Natural Science. When it thaws
and wrecks devastation on the city, it’s up to Superman to save the day.
Episode 5: The Bulleteers |Original Release Date: March 22, 1942 |
Production Studio: Fleischer Studios
A gang of sophisticated thieves use
advanced technology to commit crimes. Lois is captured when she tries to stop
them, so it’s up to Superman to stop the Bulleteers and bring them to
justice.
Episode 6: The Magnetic Telescope |
Original Release Date: April 19, 1942 | Production Studio: Fleischer Studios
A mad scientist uses magnetic
power to draw a comet on a collision course with Metropolis. With Lois’ help,
Superman saves the city from certain destruction.
Episode 7: Electric Earthquake |Original
Release Date: May 17, 1942 | Production Studio: Fleischer Studios
A Native American scientist,
intent on reclaiming the island of Manhattan, uses an electric earthquake
machine to get what he wants, but what he gets is Superman!
Episode 8: Volcano |Original Release Date: July 12, 1942 |
Production Studio: Fleischer Studios
When a dormant volcano awakens
after 300 years and threatens a small town, Superman must use every ounce of
strength to save the townspeople, and Lois, of course!
Episode 9: Terror on the Midway | Original Release
Date: August 23, 1942 | Production Studio: Fleischer Studios
A giant gorilla breaks loose at
circus, causing a massive fire. Superman must subdue the beast, protect the
circusgoers, save the animals, and Lois yet again!
Episode 10: Japoteurs | Original Release Date: September 18,
1942 | Production Studio: Famous Studios
Japanese spies hijack a new U.S.
bomber and Lois needs saving — AGAIN. The racist stereotypical portrayal of the Japanese ethnotype
(bucktooth and nearsighted) has not aged well.
Episode 11: Showdown | Original Release Date: October 16, 1942
| Production Studio: Famous Studios
A criminal disguises himself as Superman
and Lois does NOT need saving!
Episode 12: Eleventh Hour | Original Release Date: November 20, 1942
| Production Studio: Famous Studios
When Clark Kent and Lois Lane
become Japanese prisoners of war, it becomes Superman’s turn to be a saboteur! But
can he complete his mission and save Lois from execution? Note: This episode must have been running short because it recycles Superman’s origin
featured in the first episode Superman (a.k.a. The Mad Scientist).
Episode 13: Destruction, Inc. | Original
Release Date: December 25, 1942 | Production Studio: Famous Studios
More sabotage. Lois takes a
wartime job in a munitions plant to uncover the plans of a fifth column intent
on destroying the factory, but gets captured. Can Superman save Lois and stop
the factory from being destroyed?
Episode 14: The Mummy Strikes | Original Release Date: February 19, 1943
| Production Studio: Famous Studios
In a rare foray into the supernatural,
Clark and Lois investigate the death of a noted doctor of Egyptology at the
Metropolis Museum and encounter the undead guards of an ancient king!
Episode 15: Jungle Drums | Original Release Date: March 26, 1943 |
Production Studio: Famous Studios
Nazis set up an outpost in the
African jungle to coordinate attacks on allied convoys. When the native
tribesmen at their command capture Lois, its Superman to the rescue!
Episode 16: The Underground World | Original
Release Date: June 18, 1943 | Production
Studio: Famous Studios
A scientist, intent on exploring
caves discovered by his late father, takes Lois and Clark deep underground
where they discover a race of “Hawk Men.” Of course, where else would a race of
flying creatures evolve but in caves? The Hawk Men capture Lois and the scientist,
so it’s up to Superman to save the day, or is it night? Hard to tell when you’re
underground.
Episode 17: Secret Agent | Original Release Date: July
30, 1943 | Production Studio: Famous Studios
The secret agent in this episode is
an intrepid female who infiltrated a Nazi fifth column and plans to turn their
names over to the government. The Nazis plan to stop her, but Superman is on the
case!
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