Superman (1941)
Synopsis
The 1941 Superman cartoon series is a landmark set of 17 theatrical Technicolor short films produced by Fleischer Studios and released by Paramount Pictures. Renowned for their fluid rotoscoped animation, realistic shadows, and cinematic lighting, animation historians consistently rank them among the greatest animated shorts ever made. Paramount originally budgeted the first short at a massive $50,000, with later episodes costing around $30,000 each (far more than typical cartoons of the era). Directed primarily by Dave Fleischer and produced by Max Fleischer, the series marked Superman's very first appearance in animation.
First Air Date: 1941-09-26
Last Air Date: 1943-07-30
Number of Seasons: 1
Number of Episodes: 17
Created By: Max Fleischer
Networks: Paramount Network
Top Cast
- Bud Collyer as Superman
- Joan Alexander as Lois Lane
- Jackson Beck as Perry White
- Jack Mercer as Villains
Seasons
Season 1 (1941)
Fleischer Studios produced the first 9 episodes before production shifted to Famous Studios for the remaining 8 shorts due to studio changes and high costs. The very first short was nominated for the 1942 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Subject.
Episodes:
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Ep. 1: Superman (aka The Mad Scientist)
A mad scientist threatens Metropolis with an "Electrothanasia-Ray". He kidnaps Lois Lane, forcing Superman to punch through the energy beam to save the city.
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Ep. 2: The Mechanical Monsters
A criminal mastermind uses a fleet of giant, flying, fire-breathing robots to rob jewelry stores and banks.
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Ep. 3: Billion Dollar Limited
A train loaded with a billion dollars in gold bullion is targeted by a heavily armed gang of train robbers.
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Ep. 4: The Arctic Giant
A prehistoric Tyrannosaurus Rex preserved in ice is thawed out in a Metropolis museum and goes on a rampage.
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Ep. 5: The Bulleteers
Metropolis is terrorized by a gang operating a bullet-shaped, flying ram-vehicle that smashes through buildings.
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Ep. 6: The Magnetic Telescope
An astronomer's massive magnet machine accidentally pulls a giant comet out of orbit, sending it hurtling toward Earth.
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Ep. 7: Electric Earthquake
A Native American scientist uses underwater electric machines to trigger massive earthquakes under Metropolis to reclaim his people's land.
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Ep. 8: Volcano
Clark and Lois travel to a tropical island to cover an active volcano, but it violently erupts, putting a nearby town in peril.
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Ep. 9: Terror on the Midway
A giant gorilla escapes captivity at a local circus, causing widespread panic until Superman steps into the ring.
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Ep. 10: Japoteurs
Japanese saboteurs hijack a massive, cutting-edge bomber plane during its test flight over Metropolis.
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Ep. 11: Showdown
A criminal masquerades as Superman to pull off a string of daring robberies, ruining the Man of Steel's reputation.
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Ep. 12: Eleventh Hour
Operating as a saboteur in Yokohama, Japan, Superman dismantles enemy naval ships while Clark Kent is held as a prisoner of war.
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Ep. 13: Destruction Inc.
Lois goes undercover at a Metropolis munitions plant to expose a dangerous ring of internal saboteurs.
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Ep. 14: The Mummy Strikes
Clark and a scientist investigate a cursed Egyptian tomb, accidentally awakening giant, indestructible mummy guards.
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Ep. 15: Jungle Drums
After Lois's plane crashes in a jungle, she is captured by a secret Nazi cult disguised as local tribesmen.
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Ep. 16: The Underground World
Lois and a scientist discover a subterranean cavern inhabited by a dangerous race of winged, bird-like humanoids.
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Ep. 17: Secret Agent
Lois helps a secret agent transport stolen enemy blueprints, leading to a high-speed car chase and an ambush at a drug store.
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