8 OF THE BEST SUPERMAN CARTOONS

The Fleischer Superman cartoons are a series of seventeen animated short films released in Technicolor by Paramount Pictures and based upon the comic book character Superman, making them his first animated appearance.

They were originally produced by Fleischer Studios, who completed the initial short and eight further cartoons in 1941 and 1942. Production was assumed in May 1942 by Famous Studios, a successor company to Fleischer, who produced eight more cartoons in 1942 and 1943. Superman was the final animated series initiated by Fleischer Studios, before Famous Studios officially took over production.

Although all entries are in the public domain, ancillary rights such as merchandising contract rights, as well as the original 35mm master elements, are owned today by Warner Bros. Entertainment. Warner has owned Superman publisher DC Comics since 1967.

1. Terror on the Midway (1942)

"Yeh too bad Lois. Looks like a great night for a murder or fire or something." Clark Kent

Lois and Clark are assigned to cover a circus where the huge ape Gigantic gets loose. Lois helps a girl get out of the tent but attracts the attention of Gigantic. Superman tries to save Lois but his battle with Gigantic sets the tent ablaze. Superman knocks Gigantic out, rescues Lois from the burning tent, and uses his cape to protect Gigantic from the fire.

2. Jungle Drums (1941)

A German spy disguised as a high priest so he can send information on the American convoy. They shoot down a plane carrying this information and the dying pilot gives the plans to Lois who was with him and instructs her to destroy them. She is captured and hides the papers under a rock. The German spy prepares to burn Lois at the stake unless she tells him where the plans are. Back at the base Clark waits for his plane to get ready. The natives start burning Lois and then the plans are found causing the spy to gloat at Lois' failure. As Lois slowly burns to death the plane Clark is in spots her downed aircraft. Parachuting out Clark changes into Superman and rescues Lois in the nick of time. As Superman fights the robed spies Lois puts on a robe and radios the fleet. Seeing her shoe the spy attacks her but is fought off by Superman. Lois' radio warning results in the sinking of the submarines that would have sunk the fleet which is reported on shortwave where Hitler hears in in German and shanks his fist in anger .

3. The Magnetic Telescope (1941)

A professor is using a giant magnet which results in a ball of fire hitting the city. The professor refuses to stop using his magnetic telescope because he has invested "30 years of dreaming and planning" in it. The police try to stop him but he puts up a barrier and starts to pull a comet in to look at it. The cops then smash the dynamo and cut the wires causing the comet to go crazy and rain destruction on the city. Superman rescues Lois from the rubble where the Magnetic Telescope was housed and tried to punch the comet away. When that fails Superman then uses his strength to restart the dynamo and his own body to replace the wires and Lois uses the Magnetic Telescope to send the comet back into space. When she goes to thank Superman the lights come on and she discovers she is talking to Clark Kent and wonders how he got there.

4. The Underground World (1941)

"It's really a great story, Lois. But, no one would ever believe it." Perry White

A man named Professor Henderson arrives at the Daily Planet. Perry calls Clark and Lois into his office where the Professor shows them a map of an ancient underground series of caves. He tells them that forty years ago, his father disappeared inside what has now become known as the Henderson Caverns. He intends on mounting a search expedition and offers the Daily Planet exclusive rights to the story. Perry gives Clark and Lois the assignment and they arrange to meet with Professor Henderson later.

The group packs several cases of blasting explosives onto two small rowboats and set sail down a winding river. Clark pilots his own boat, while the Professor and Lois Lane take the lead. Henderson's ship travels deep into the caverns, but they disappear behind a streaming waterfall.

Emerging into a long, dark cavern on the other side, they discover a tribe of winged Bird-People. The Bird-People take Lois and the Professor prisoner and bring them before their king. Above the king's throne rests a giant statue, which bears a strong resemblance to Henderson's missing father.

5. The Mummy Strikes (1943)

Jane Hogan finds Dr. Jordan dead with a syringe nearby which she pick up resulting in her being indicted for murder and found guilty. Dr. Wilson calls the planet and Clark pretends it a doctor calling about a cold. Dr. Wilson leads Clark through a faithful recreation of King Tush's tomb as he relates the story of King Tush and the fact that Dr. Jordan had discovered the Fluid of Life and put it into each of the mummies while Lois follows the both of them. Dr. Jordan theories that Dr. Jordan tried to open the sarcophagus and they discover a poison needle. Removing it trigger to lid to open allowing moon light to hit the guard completing the requirement for them to come to life. Superman defeats the mummies and it is revealed that Lois injured her hands allowing Clark to get the scoop. .

6. The Mechanical Monsters (1941)

A criminal scientist uses giant robots to steal money and jewels. Lois climbs into a robot which Superman discovers using his X-ray vision but is throw off when he tries to rescue Lois. Angered at Lois actions loosing him the jewels his robot was bringing him the scientist puts Lois in a death trap where he plans to dip her in a cauldron of molten gold. Superman destroys the robots, rescues Lois, and captures the mad scientist who is sent to prison. .

7. Superman (1941)

"This looks like a job for Superman! " Superman

A mad scientist sends a shocking letter to the offices of the Daily Planet. Asking for no ransom, he threatens to strike back at those who laughed at him. At midnight, he will launch his Electrothanasia-Ray at an unspecified location. City Editor, Perry White, asks reporter Clark Kent to cover the story, but Clark's rival, Lois Lane, takes the initiative and decides to get the story before Clark.

Acquiring a small, single-engine airplane she flies to the mad scientist's mountain observatory. As the scientist primes his Electrothanasia-Ray he notices the lights from Lois' plane outside the window. Lois approaches the front door of the laboratory, but the scientist grabs her and pulls her inside. He vows to give Lois the "greatest story of destruction the world has ever known". To prove that he means what he says, he fires his massive laser weapon destroying a large portion of the Diamond suspension bridge outside the city.

Radio broadcasts begin reporting news of the bridge's destruction. Clark hears the disturbing tale on the radio and changes into Superman. As he flies off in search of the mad scientist, the villain fires a second shot from his ray-cannon. This one strikes the lower levels of the Daily Planet. Superman catches the building as it begins to topple and pushes it back into its proper upright position.

8. Volcano (1961)

The narrator introduces Mount Monokoa saying that 300 years ago it erupted years ago covering the city in molten lava and sending tidal waves across the world. However, in the rebuilt city the scientists discover evidence of activity. Lois and Clark are sent there but Lois steals Clark's press pass preventing him from going to the volcano. The volcano erupts destroying the tram leading to the summit. Superman rescues Lois and sets off the explosives that will divert the lava from the town. Later Lois comments that it was too bad Clark wasn't there. He comments "Maybe I would have been if I hadn't lost my pass" as he pulls his press pass from Lois' purse.