Max Fleischer's Superman 1941-1942

Max Fleischer's Superman 1941-1942

This is a job for Superman!

2009 · 145 min · ★ 7.2 · Animation, Adventure, Science Fiction

More than just a landmark in superhero animation, Max Fleischer's Superman shorts were no less than the foundation for so many shows that succeeded it. Playing in theaters in 1941-42, only a few years after the Man of Steel made his debut in Action Comics, these 17 exciting films were produced by Fleischer and made famous the phrase "This looks like a job for Superman!" At 10 minutes, each film had just enough time to run the opening credits, establish the threat, let Lois Lane make a headstrong rush into peril, and allow Clark Kent to change to his alter ego and save the day. The films show a remarkably dynamic and atmospheric storytelling style that enables them to hold up for modern viewers. At first the films followed a science fiction-fantasy theme, but not unexpectedly for that time soon focused on wartime concerns.

Directed by Max Fleischer

Your Rating

Cast

Bud Collyer Superman / Clark Kent (voice) (archive sound)
Joan Alexander Lois Lane (voice) (archive sound)

More from Max FleischerSee all →

Johnny Legend Presents: The Complete Weird Cartoons

Johnny Legend Presents: The Complete Weird Cartoons · 2004

Johnny Legend Presents: The Complete Weird Cartoons

This collection of vintage cartoons is not only a loopy primer on animation history; it is also an offbeat reflection of western "civilization" in the early 20th century. The racism in "Little Black Sambo," and the overt sexuality of Betty Boop are all-the-more shocking when you think that this is what grandma and grandpa were growing up watching! From the works of the worlds very first animator, Emile Cohl, to Walt Disney himself, Johnny Legend has compiled a twisted list of early animations that are guaranteed to surprise, delight and amaze.

Swing Cleaning

Swing Cleaning · 1941

MovieAnimationComedy

Gabby is a servant in a castle and is required to do a little housework.

Koko in Toyland

Koko in Toyland · 1925

Koko in Toyland

MovieAnimationComedy

In this Christmas season release, Max assembles a toy train track while Ko-Ko the Clown visits a cartoon toyland, playing cops and robbers and rescuing a doll in distress.

Koko Gets Egg-Cited

Koko Gets Egg-Cited · 1926

Koko Gets Egg-Cited

MovieAnimationComedy

Ko-Ko gathers eggs on a farm while Max works on an incubator.

Blunder Below

Blunder Below · 1942

MovieAnimationComedy

Popeye's on a battleship, on which he's banished to the boiler room. A Japanese sub comes along. Can Popeye save his ship from the enemy?

Learn Polikeness

Learn Polikeness · 1938

Learn Polikeness

MovieAnimationComedy

Olive takes Popeye to Professor Bluteau to learn some manners.

Dizzy Divers

Dizzy Divers · 1935

MovieAnimationComedy

Popeye and Bluto are deep sea divers. Popeye has a treasure map; for some reason he cuts Bluto in on the deal, but of course, Bluto's idea of 50-50 isn't exactly fair...

Mother Gooseland

Mother Gooseland · 1924

Mother Gooseland

"Out of the Inkwell” cartoon by Fleischer Studios.

Many Tanks

Many Tanks · 1942

MovieAnimationComedy

Bluto's in the Army; he tries to sneak off base, but can't. Popeye passes by, Bluto invites him in, then swaps uniforms. Popeye ends up in a tank drill.

Invisible Ink

Invisible Ink · 1921

MovieComedyAnimation

Koko The Clown continually interrupts an animator, who turns his attention to trapping the clown.

Pest Pilot

Pest Pilot · 1941

MovieAnimationComedy

Popeye runs a small airport, and Pappy wants to be a pilot.

Problem Pappy

Problem Pappy · 1941

MovieAnimationComedy

Popeye's Pappy takes a flagpole sitting job atop a tall building without telling Popeye. Popeye goes to rescue him, but he doesn't want to go until an electrical storm hits.

Modeling

Modeling · 1921

MovieComedyAnimation

The Clown causes trouble for the Cartoonist, and a sculptor using the studio, when he escapes from his backdrop and hides in the wet clay of a bust.

The Puzzle

The Puzzle · 1923

Koko the Clown and his creator, Max Fleischer, go on a strange journey to Puzzle Town.

Terror on the Midway

Terror on the Midway · 1942

Terror on the Midway

MovieAnimationFantasy

When things go wrong at the circus, it's up to Superman to stop the escaped animals.

The Jeep

The Jeep · 1938

MovieAnimationComedy

Popeye brings his magical dog, The Jeep, over to see Olive and Swee'pea, just as the tyke has escaped from his crib. The Jeep leads Popeye on a merry chase looking for Swee'pea.

More Like This

The Mechanical Monsters

The Mechanical Monsters · 1941

The Mechanical Monsters

MovieActionAnimation

Superman battles a criminal mastermind and his robot army.

Bone Trouble

Bone Trouble · 1940

MovieAnimationComedy

Pluto is on the run after stealing a bone from Butch the bulldog and finds refuge in a carnival Hall of Mirrors.

The Simple Things

The Simple Things · 1953

The Simple Things

MovieAnimationComedy

Mickey and Pluto go fishing. Pluto has a run-in with a clam, who eventually lodges in Pluto's mouth; Mickey thinks the clam is Pluto's tongue and can't understand why Pluto keeps begging for more food. After they get rid of the clam, Mickey's attempts to use his minnows as bait are thwarted by a hungry seagull; he brings his friends, and they chase our heroes away.

Thru the Mirror

Thru the Mirror · 1936

Thru the Mirror

MovieAnimationComedy

Mickey has been reading Alice in Wonderland, and falls asleep. He finds himself on the other side of the mirror, where the furniture is alive.

Ye Olden Days

Ye Olden Days · 1933

MovieAnimationComedy

The princess is to wed the Prince against her wishes. When she refuses, the king locks her in the tower. Minstrel Mickey sees her and rescues her, making a rope from the clothes of lady-in-waiting Clarabell. The king spots them and prepares to chop off Mickey's head until Minnie intercedes. The king calls for a joust. Mickey wins and they live happily ever after.

The Little Whirlwind

The Little Whirlwind · 1941

The Little Whirlwind

MovieAnimationComedy

Mickey wants some of the cake Minnie has just baked, so he offers to clean up her yard. As he's working, a tiny tornado (smaller than him) with a mind of its own comes along and causes trouble. After Mickey finally chases the little twister off, it gets its big brother, which makes a grand mess of the yard. Most of the cartoon, except for the opening and closing, has no dialogue.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter