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Series · 1941–Returning

Superman

1 season·17 episodes·7 min avg.

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.

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01
Superman (aka The Mad Scientist)
Superman (aka The Mad Scientist)Up next
Sep 26, 1941

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.

02
The Mechanical Monsters
The Mechanical Monsters
Nov 28, 1941

A criminal mastermind uses a fleet of giant, flying, fire-breathing robots to rob jewelry stores and banks.

03
Billion Dollar Limited
Billion Dollar Limited
Jan 9, 1942

A train loaded with a billion dollars in gold bullion is targeted by a heavily armed gang of train robbers.

04
The Arctic Giant
The Arctic Giant
Feb 27, 1942

A prehistoric Tyrannosaurus Rex preserved in ice is thawed out in a Metropolis museum and goes on a rampage.

05
The Bulleteers
The Bulleteers
Mar 27, 1942

Metropolis is terrorized by a gang operating a bullet-shaped, flying ram-vehicle that smashes through buildings.

06
The Magnetic Telescope
The Magnetic Telescope
Apr 24, 1942

An astronomer's massive magnet machine accidentally pulls a giant comet out of orbit, sending it hurtling toward Earth.

07
Electric Earthquake
Electric Earthquake
May 15, 1942

A Native American scientist uses underwater electric machines to trigger massive earthquakes under Metropolis to reclaim his people's land.

08
Volcano
Volcano
Jul 10, 1942

Clark and Lois travel to a tropical island to cover an active volcano, but it violently erupts, putting a nearby town in peril.

09
Terror on the Midway
Terror on the Midway
Jul 17, 1942

A giant gorilla escapes captivity at a local circus, causing widespread panic until Superman steps into the ring.

10
Japoteurs
Japoteurs
Sep 18, 1942

Japanese saboteurs hijack a massive, cutting-edge bomber plane during its test flight over Metropolis.

11
Showdown
Showdown
Oct 16, 1942

A criminal masquerades as Superman to pull off a string of daring robberies, ruining the Man of Steel's reputation.

12
Eleventh Hour
Eleventh Hour
Nov 20, 1942

Operating as a saboteur in Yokohama, Japan, Superman dismantles enemy naval ships while Clark Kent is held as a prisoner of war.

13
Destruction Inc.
Destruction Inc.
Dec 25, 1942

Lois goes undercover at a Metropolis munitions plant to expose a dangerous ring of internal saboteurs.

14
The Mummy Strikes
The Mummy Strikes
Feb 19, 1943

Clark and a scientist investigate a cursed Egyptian tomb, accidentally awakening giant, indestructible mummy guards.

15
Jungle Drums
Jungle Drums
Apr 26, 1943

After Lois's plane crashes in a jungle, she is captured by a secret Nazi cult disguised as local tribesmen.

16
The Underground World
The Underground World
Jan 15, 1943

Lois and a scientist discover a subterranean cavern inhabited by a dangerous race of winged, bird-like humanoids.

17
Secret Agent
Secret Agent
Jul 30, 1943

Lois helps a secret agent transport stolen enemy blueprints, leading to a high-speed car chase and an ambush at a drug store.

Cast

4 credited
Bud Collyer
Superman
Joan Alexander
Lois Lane
Jackson Beck
Perry White
Jack Mercer
Villains

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