Superman, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, first appeared to his adopted planet in 1938 in the June issue of Action Comics, published by National Periodical Publications – later called DC Comics.
Paramount Studios gained permission to use the character in a series of animated shorts and hired the Fleischer Brothers to produce them. The pilot cost $50,000. A total of seventeen cartoons were made. The cartoons ran from 1941 to 1943 and featured a Superman somewhat less powered than we know him as today. The cartoon Superman had great strength, but only limited invulnerability. Though he could “leap tall buildings”, he could fly only in a limited fashion at first. Later in the cartoons, he flew much as we see him fly today. In only one cartoon does Superman demonstrate his X-ray vision, and his other vision powers are never even mentioned.
The first nine cartoons were produced by the Fleischer’s studio as Fleischer Studios. In 1942 the studio was taken over by Paramount, reorganized, and renamed Famous Studios, and the final eight cartoons were made under that name. They used a new technique called Rotoscoping, in which live scenes were drawn over, one cel at a time. This was done mostly to help keep the Superman figure consistent from cel to cel when he was in action.
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The Characters
Note: None of the voice actors were credited on the cartoons.
Superman – (VA:
Bud Collyer) A strange visitor from another planet with powers and abilities
far beyond those of mortal man, he fights a never-ending battle for truth,
justice, and the American way!
Clark
Kent – (VA:
Bud Collyer) Superman’s alter ego and secret identity, Clark is a star
reporter for the Daily Planet, a major metropolitan newspaper.
Lois
Lane – (VA:
Joan Alexander) Lois is also a star reporter for the Daily Planet and Clark’s
major competition for the story. She often gets into deadly trouble in her
relentless pursuit of the story.
Perry
White – (VA:
Julian Noa) Perry is the editor of the Daily Planet and is often shown sending
Lois and/or Clark out on the story that starts the cartoon’s action.
Louis – Louis
was intended (I think) as a recurring comic relief character. However, he
only appears twice – once as a copy boy for the paper and once as a
cab driver.
The Episodes
1 – (9-26-41) (the pilot) Superman (aka The Mad Scientist)
2 – (11-28-41) The Mechanical Monsters
3 – (1-9-42) Billion Dollar Unlimited
4 – (2-27-42) The Arctic Giant
5 – (3-27-42) The Bulleteers
6 – (4-24-42) The Magnetic Telescope
7 – (5-15-42) Electric Earthquake
8 – (7-10-42) Volcano
9 – (8-28-42) Terror on the Midway
10 – (9-18-42) Japoteurs
11 – (10-16-42) Showdown
12 – (11-20-42) Eleventh Hour
13 – (12-25-42) Destruction Inc.
14 – (2-19-43) The Mummy Strikes
15 – (3-26-43) Jungle Drums
16 – (6-18-43) The Underground World
17 – (7-30-43) Secret Agent
Due to the times that the cartoons were made, episodes 10, 12, 13, 15, and 17 involved World War II themes in their storylines.
The Credits
| Opening credits: (episode 1-10) (episode 11-17) |
Paramount Presents a Max Fleischer cartoon a Famous Studios production in Technicolor Copyright by Paramount Pictures Inc. by arrangement with Action Comics & Superman Magazines Superman comic strip created by Jerome Siegel and Joe Shuster |
| Animation | (variously) Steve Muffati, Frank Endres, George Germanetti, Myron Waldman,
Willard Bowsky, Reuben Grossman, Orestes Calpini, Graham Place, Thomas
Moore, Arnold Gillespie, Otto Feuer, Jim Davis ( not Garfield’s creator),
Nicholas Tafuri, William Henning, Dave Tendlar, H. C. Ellison |
| Story | (variously) Seymour Kneitel, Isidore Sparber, Bill Turner, Ted Pierce,
Carl Meyer, Dan Gordon, Jay Morton, Robert Little |
| Director | (episodes 1-9) Dave Fleischer (episodes 10, 16, and 17) Seymour Kneitel (episodes 11, 13, and 14) I. Sparber (episodes 12 and 15) Dan Gordon |
The Introductions
There were five introductions to the cartoons.
They all began with, “Up in the sky – look! It’s a bird!
It’s a plane! It’s Superman!” This intro was followed by
the opening credits, which were then followed by the rest of the introduction.
In episode 1, they gave the background of Superman rocketing to Earth, so it was a longer introduction.
“In the endless reaches of the universe, there once existed a planet known as Krypton – a planet that burned like a green star in the distant heavens. There, civilization was far advanced, and it brought forth a race of supermen, whose mental and physical powers were developed to the absolute peak of human perfection. But there came a day when giant quakes threatened to destroy Krypton forever! One of the planet’s leading scientists, sensing the approach of doom, placed his infant son in a small rocket ship and sent it hurtling in the direction of the Earth just as Krypton exploded!
The rocket ship sped through star-studded space, landing safely on Earth with its precious burden – Krypton’s sole survivor. A passing motorist found the uninjured child and took it to an orphanage.
As the years went by and the child grew to maturity, he found himself possessed of amazing physical powers.
Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! The infant of Krypton is now the Man of Steel – Superman!
To best be in a position to use his amazing powers in a never-ending battle
for truth and justice, Superman has assumed the disguise of Clark Kent, mild-mannered
reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper.”
In episode 2, the introduction left off Superman’s origin story, but added in a mention of his X-ray vision.
“Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! This amazing stranger from the planet Krypton – the Man of Steel – Superman!
Empowered with X-ray vision, possessing remarkable physical strength, Superman fights a never-ending battle for truth and justice!
Disguised as a mild-mannered newspaper reporter, Clark Kent.”
Episodes 3-7 used the same introduction as episode 2, minus the phrase, “Empowered
with X-ray vision”.
Episodes 8-10 had a small change with an accompanying change in the art.
“Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to soar higher than any plane! This amazing stranger from the planet Krypton – the Man of Steel – Superman!
Possessing remarkable physical strength, Superman fights a never-ending battle for truth and justice! Disguised as a mild-mannered newspaper reporter, Clark Kent.”
In episode 11, more changes were made, but the introduction then remained the same through the end of the series.
“Faster than a streak of lightning! More powerful than the pounding surf! Mightier than a roaring hurricane! This amazing stranger from the planet Krypton – the Man of Steel – Superman!
Possessing remarkable physical strength, Superman fights a never-ending battle for truth and justice! Disguised as a mild-mannered newspaper reporter, Clark Kent.”
The Episode Synopses
1) - Superman
A mad scientist has developed an electrothanasia-ray and plots revenge against those who laughed at him. Superman must stop him – and save Lois Lane at the same time!
2) - The Mechanical Monsters
Another mad scientist has invented robot monsters to rob millions for him. Superman must stop him and the robots. And save Lois, too – again!
3) - Billion Dollar Unlimited
A billion dollar gold shipment is being sent to the mint by special train. Lois Lane is aboard, covering the story. Masked hijackers try several methods to take over the train, but Superman saves the day every time, even towing the train by hand – against the hijackers’ gauntlet – all the way to the mint!
4) - The Arctic Giant
Scientists discover a frozen, giant Tyrannosaurus in Siberia and put it on refrigerated display at the Museum of Natural Science. An accident melts the ice, and the monster is revived and escapes to terrorize Metropolis. “This is a job for Superman!”
5) - The Bulleteers
A group of criminals calling themselves The Bulleteers use a special “bullet car” to terrorize Metropolis and hold it for ransom. Superman comes to the city’s – and Lois’s – rescue.
6) - The Magnetic Telescope
The operation of a brilliant scientist’s invention is dangerous to the safety of the entire city, but he refuses to cease his experimentation. When a force of police officers accidentally damages the scope and a rogue comet threatens everyone, Superman must save the day.
7) - Electric Earthquake
Another mad scientist, who is also an American Indian, wants Manhattan Island returned to his people or he will destroy the island with artificial earthquakes. While covering the story, Lois is captured by the madman. Superman must try to save both her and the city at the same time.
8) - Volcano
A long dormant volcano threatens to erupt again and destroy an island and its beautiful city. Scientists and engineers work to divert the expected flow of lava, and Lois and Clark are sent to cover the story. When the volcano finally erupts, Superman must save everyone.
9) - Terror on the Midway
Lois is reviewing the circus when a gigantic monster ape (a la King Kong or Mighty Joe Young) is accidentally set free. The ape erupts in a frenzy of destruction, and panic follows. “This is [another] job for Superman!”
10) - Japoteurs
The “world’s largest” bomber is finally completed and ready for test flights. Lois sneaks aboard for the story, but so do Japanese hijackers. “This looks like a job for Superman!”
11) - Showdown
“Superman” turns to crime, baffling the police and even Lois Lane. The real Superman must not only stop the crook and his boss, but also prove his own innocence.
12) - Eleventh Hour
Covering the War overseas in Yokohama, Lois and Clark are imprisoned by the Japanese government. Their story gets even bigger when Superman performs acts of sabotage – always at the stroke of eleven p.m.
13) - Destruction Inc.
A criminal gang of saboteurs is at work at the munitions plant. Lois takes a job undercover to get the story. When she’s caught by the saboteurs, Superman must save her – and the plant!
14) - The Mummy Strikes
A display at the Egyptian Museum is struck by an ancient curse, resulting in the death of Dr. Jordan. His assistant, Jane Hogan, is blamed for the death and convicted of murder. Superman must fight the curse to clear Miss Hogan’s name.
15) - Jungle Drums
Lois is covering a story on an American convoy, when her plane is shot down over Africa. Germans posing as shamans for an African tribe capture Lois and try to recover secret papers that she’s hiding. When the papers are found, the Germans convince the tribesman to sacrifice her in a huge bonfire. Can Superman rescue Lois – and save the convoy?
16) - The Underground World
The Daily Planet finances an expedition to follow the renowned Dr. Henderson into a collection of caves explored by him. Dr. Henderson’s son, Lois, and Clark discover a hidden world inhabited by warlike birdmen. When Dr. Henderson’s son and Lois are captured by the birdmen, Superman must perform an amazing rescue.
17) - Secret Agent
A female secret agent is accosted by a gang of saboteurs. She must take important papers about the gang to the federal government in Washington, D.C. But the gang does all it can to keep her from the airport. Superman must save her – and the papers – and get them both to D.C.
Bits and Bizness
Bud Collyer, Joan Alexander, and Julian Noa, who did the voices of Superman, Lois Lane, and Perry White respectively, also did their voices on the radio show, The Adventures of Superman.
The comics company wanted the kids to think of Superman as a real person and so mandated that no performer would be given credit for being Superman. This mandate worked for Bud Collyer, both on the cartoons and the radio show, because he was afraid of being typecast as Superman – much like what happened later to George Reeves who played Superman on TV.
The final episode, “Secret Agent”, was the only episode in which Lois Lane did not appear.
In the episode, “Terror on the Midway”, the giant ape changed size from scene to scene. The same was true, to a lesser degree, of the giant dinosaur in “Arctic Giant”.
The “great metropolitan newspaper” is not named as the Daily Planet until later in the series. In the first cartoon, the building is even drawn differently – topped by a normal skyscraper steeple instead of the famous ringed planet.
The first episode was nominated for an Academy Award, but lost to a Disney cartoon featuring Pluto, “Lend a Paw”.
Jack Mercer voices the mad scientist in the first episode as well a few other characters throughout the series. He also did the voice for Popeye the Sailor.
In 1944, the Popeye cartoons spoofed Superman in a cartoon called “She-Sick Sailors”. Olive Oyl was more interested in her Superman comic book than in Popeye, and Bluto finds out. So he dresses up as Superman to win Olive’s attention.
Favorite Images:
~ Grandpa Budwyn
This page created by Grandpa Budwyn