Superman
In this, the original Superman cartoon, released in 1941, we learn of Superman's origins on the planet Krypton and how he assumed the guise of Clark Kent, though the 'Daily Planet' isn't named. The film cuts quickly to the chase. The editor has recieved a note from a mad scientist that his destructive ray will be turned against the city tonight, and then everyone who laughed at him will be sorry. Lois Lane volunteers for the story and flies off in a plane, only to be captured by the mad scientist. Clark ducks into a store room, changes into Superman, and fights his way to the scientist's laboratory, from which the ray is wreaking havoc.






Language: English
Country of Origin: USA
Alternate Titles: Superman - the Introduction, The Mad Scientist
Bud Collyer | ... Clark Kent, Superman |
Joan Alexander | ... Lois Lane |
Jack Mercer | ... The mad scientist |
Noa | ... Perry White |
There were 17 Superman shorts produced in the 40's and usually attributed to Fleischer Studios, however Fleischer actually only produced the first nine, which are generally considered superior. The remaining eight were produced by Famous Studios, which was basically what Paramount renamed Fleischer when they took them over. The DVD shown above contains only the Fleischer cartoons.
This first short was nominated for an Academy Award.