The Return of Superman (to coin a phrase)
Okay, okay. We had a Superman film festival back in the summer — just thought we’d pull the plug on our Science Friction Week with one more starring the Kid from Krypton. And this is the first one! The famous one! The one that got nominated for an Academy Award!
Hard to imagine the impact of Max Fleischer’s pilot film, “Superman” in 1941. Nothing like it had ever been seen on movie screens! Realistic (more or less) animated figures, spectacular special effects, a straight faced (more or less) science fictiony story — all wrapped up in sleek, streamlined trimmings. The Man of Steel does battle with a death ray and a crazy scientist who’s lookin’ a lot like a chorus boy from a production of “The Mikado.” What a kick!
And the most amazing thing is this is, objectively, perhaps the weakest of the original Fleischer Superman cartoons! Narrative techniques would be sharpened, character designs (particularly Lois Lane’s) would become more attractive and the animation would actually improve. Still this initial episode has a special little orbit around the hearts of many a old cartoon buff!
ReFrederator is in a family way starting Monday, kicking off Relatively Speaking Week. Come visit all our shirt tale cousins!
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On December 10th, 2006 at 12:00 am
THESE MAX FLEISCHER SUPERMAN CARTOONS WERE BY FAR THE BEST!
THANKS.
YOUR CARTROON PAL……JEFF
On January 11th, 2007 at 12:00 am
I heard the villain was modeled after the famous physicist Tesla. I am not sure if this is speculation or based on something Fleischer said.Thanks for this website