Electric Earthquake

A Native American Scientist demands the return of Manhattan (Metropolis) to his people. Rebuffed, he unleashes an ELECTRIC EARTHQUAKE to destroy the city. With intrepid reporter Lois Lane his prisoner, and destruction mounting, it sure looks like a job for Superman.

This was another in the series of excellent cartoons Max Fleischer produced for Paramount Studio. They feature great animation and taut, fast-moving plots. Meant to be shown in movie theaters, they are miles ahead of their Saturday Morning counterparts. Bud Collyer is the voice of Superman; Joan Alexander does the honors for Lois Lane.

Superman is brought in to save the city of Metropolis. A Native American mad scientist (are they really mad or just have a reason to act) wants Manhattan back for his people, but, of course, just like today, there is no chance. Of course, once again, he is defied and needs to show off his strength. He is able to use electricity below the surface to create and earthquake which jeopardizes the future of the great city. Somehow, Lois Lane figures out where he is and gets into his hideout. Not only does Superman have to save the city, he is stuck rescuing Lois again. There are some wonderful earthquake scenes using the talents of the Fleischer animators. This is a pretty well done episode, although the whole Native American issue is never addressed. Of course, even talking about Indian rights in those days was pretty interesting.

Electric Earthquake (1942)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Seventh film in Paramount's series once again has a wack-o creating an earthquake machine that will make the city fall to its knees. Lois ends up kidnapped by the nut so Superman must save her and the city. This is another decent episode in a not too impressive series. Perhaps I was just expecting more but so far this series has been pretty middle-ground and can't hold a candle to anything out there by Disney, Warner or even MGM. This film does have a fairly decent story but not much is done with it because of the simple way it is carried out and the fact that it plays out just like the previous six films. The action scenes underwater were very entertaining and reason alone to watch the film.

I have seen most of the Superman cartoons made by the Fleischer Brothers for Paramount during the 1940s. Unfortanately, I have never particularly enjoyed them...that is up until now. "Electric Earthquake" brings the cartoon series an interesting villain--one you have a hard time completely hating.

The film begins with a Native American genius planting some sort of electrodes emanating from his underwater lair to Manhattan island. Then, he comes to the surface and announces that the government MUST give the island back to the natives or else! Well, they don't listen and soon he unleashes a wave of electric terror--causing the island to explode bit by bit. Not at all surprisingly, Lois gets caught up in all this and is taken prisoner. And, predictably, Superman comes to the rescue.

As I mentioned above, I liked this one because the story was strong--something not true for most of the other stories in the series. It was very interesting and kept my interest throughout--though I think it's the only time home for Superman was New York and not Metropolis!

This Superman cartoon, the seventh by Max and Dave Fleischer, has the politically-incorrect story of an American Indian (or Native American) claiming to speak for his people when he tells Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and Perry White to give Manhatten back to his people and those three refusing (what can they do anyway, they're only reporters!). So he threatens them though Perry doesn't believe him so Lois sneaks away to where this man has his hideout while Clark changes into Superman...Plenty of exciting animated scenes of the title disaster not to mention Supes doing what he does to save the day though it's now par for the course that Lois will be in yet another compromising position with the Man of Steel rescuing her. And really, that villain is willing to destroy his land if his demands aren't met? Talk about inconsistent characterization! Still, Electric Earthquake is worth a look for those exciting scenes of destruction as implied by the title.