BEING the second entry into the Fleischer Brothers Studios' line of SUPERMAN Cartoons, 'The Mechanical Monsters (Fleischer Studios/Paramount Pictures Corporation, 1941) was released for theatrical exhibition to the movie going public in November of 1941. This gave it the distinction of being on the theatre screens when the Sunday morning sneak-attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th.

CLEARLY this would mark an abrupt change of direction that the series would be taking as the Fleischer animation operation would join in with the rest of Hollywood in the War Effort. The story lines from hence forth would be as populated with Nazi Soldiers, Imperial Japanese Agents and 5th Column Saboteurs as the were with all of those Mad Scientists.

MUCH in the same manner as the other entries into the SUPERMAN Series, there is no wasting of time. The trouble with the giant, metal creatures are in progress of wreaking their brand of havoc on the Good Folks of Metropolis when the Cartoon Short opens. They are in the middle of an in-progress menace. Much of the necessary exposition is put into place by means of headlines in the Daily Planet. (A clever use of the visual medium; as the inclusion of any Title Cards would be considered strictly passé and a throwback to the days of the Silent Movies.) FOR all of the magnificent scientific marvels that were embodied in the invention of the giant metal robots, the Mad Scientist is concerned only in looting bank vaults, pillaging jewelry establishments and repelling attacks from Tommy Gun wielding Uniformed Coppers. Perhaps this is due to poor pay, working conditions and lack of employment opportunities for brilliant, albeit Mad Scientists that they are forced to supplement their meager incomes through such unlawful means.

FURTHERMORE no one ever has truly explained just what makes these eggheads so 'Mad', anyhow! ALL kidding aside, the short is fast moving, well plotted and rendered in such a manner as to be an animated equivalent of a museum quality painting from one of the Dutch Masters. (No, Schultz; I didn't mean the Cigars!) 'MECHANICAL MONSTERS' comes complete with all the accoutrements that are needed in a series entry. First of all, the above mentioned renegade scientist is there for starters; along with some spectacular method of exacting the plunder on an otherwise helpless Metropolis. The regular Daily Planet gang gets involved in the natural manner; coming to the danger with hopes of getting "a Scoop!" MISS LOIS LANE, in order to have a chance to "Scoop the other Scoopers" gets a little too close and is abducted unwittingly by the baddies; having slipped and fallen into the iron giant's convenient and cavernous trunk space. (What's an Editor to do? She seems to get caught up in similar fashion time and time again! SPEAKING of recurring patterns, Superman manages to save the day, saving Miss Lane and her headline story. All's well that ends well, especially in Metropolis; as the episode closes out with a wink from Clark Kent to the audience.

WE suppose that we could brand the Superman Cartoons as being formula and even clichéd, but that may not be fair, either; for after all, the Fleischer/Famous Studios' productions were essentially blazing new trails in the field of the animated movie. Whereas here to for, virtually all of the animated cartoon out put was done using highly caricatured human characters, anthropomorphic talking animal's characters or both. The idea of writing an action-adventure story featuring realistically rendered human characters in fantastic, albeit serious short subjects hadn't been done before, unless it would be highly obscure.* THE Fleischer SUPERMAN Series changed all of that by paving the way for so many of those adventure cartoons that we have enjoyed over the years on Saturday morn. Like most of the rest of this series, we rate it very high on the scale.

NOTE * We can think of Walt Disney's FANTASIA (Walt Disney Productions/RKO Radio PUctures/1940) as being an exception; several of the segments having been done in a realistic style. Are there any others? POODLE SWCHNITZ!!

I remember watching the old "Superman" short cartoons back in the 1980s during my childhood. So I have to say that it is a blast to get to revisit them here in 2023.

I started with the 1941 animated story "The Mechanical Monster". Running at a mere 11 minutes, it is no feat to sit through. And I was actually pretty amazed with the fact that writers Izzy Sparber and Seymour Kneitel actually managed to concoct such an whole storyline in just 11 minutes.

Of course you know what you are in for here and what you get, after all, it is a "Superman" animated short story. And I am a rather amazed with how well it is holding up and being so watchable and enjoyable in 2023, 82 years later. And it is still something that both children and adult can enjoy.

The art style and animation in "The Mechanical Monster" is good. Sure, it is a very different drawing style than what you would see today, but it still holds up.

If you enjoy today's DC animated movies with "Superman", then a classic like "The Mechanical Monster" is well-worth taking 11 minutes to sit down and watch.

My rating of director Dave Fleischer's 1941 animated movie "The Mechanical Monster" lands on a six out of ten stars.

This 1941 animated introduction to Superman had a different "take" on it in that they explain that when the baby from Krypton crash-landed on earth, the infant was taken to an orphanage and raised. What happened to the Kent family? Well, that's not in this version. However, the rest of the story is familiar Superman adventure stuff with, of course, Lois having to be rescued. It's good, too - not dated in the least.

The introduction of Superman/Clark Kent as an adult "Superman" is almost word-for-word the same one they used a decade later in the famous television series (i.e. "Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive," etc.)

After that two-minute introduction, we get into the crime story which is an interesting one and way ahead of its time. Remember how popular the "transformers" were in the '80s? Well, here we are in 1941 with the same thing, a robot which turns into an airplane and back to a robot, all the while stealing money. The "mechanical monster," as labeled by the press, is one a number of them created by its criminal inventor. After robbing a bank, robot number five's next task is a big one: take the $50,000,000 worth of jewels on display at the "House Of Jewels." In an obvious goof, "5" turns into "13" after he robs the jewels.

This production must have really looked cool to kids and adults 67 years ago because it still looks good today in 2008. It features some great artwork. Then again, a classy animated production is no surprise when you know and have seen the work of either of the Fleischer brothers, Max or Dave, who first became noticed with some extremely clever animated work way back in the silent film era ("Koko The Clown" and "Felix The Cat," as two prime examples). Max and Dave Fleischer went on to make numerous famous Betty Boop and Popeye cartoons, and then Dave got into directing the early Superman animated shorts.

This one has been restored and looks great, too. I saw it as part of the Popeye The Sailor Volume 2 (1938-1940) DVD.

The voices of Clark Kent and Lois Lane were odd because they sounded so much different from all the Kents and Lanes I've heard through the decades. This Kent voice was noteworthy because it had the recognizable voice of Bud Collyer, who became quite famous in the 1950s by hosting two extremely popular TV shows: "Beat The Clock" and "To Tell The Truth."

This is the only Superman short in which I have seen this X-Ray Vision method used, and I must say if it can put wonder and amazement in the heart of a 20 year old black kid from New York in the year 2003, imagine what it did for people in 1942 !! This is a truly priceless and classic peice of American animation.

Another mad scientist has constructed a bunch of giant robots to rob banks and jewelry for him. They also can transform themselves into planes and fly to their targets (!!!). Lois Lane hitches a ride on one of the robots. The scientist discovers her and is ready to boil her alive in lava. Superman has to rescue her but he's attacked by the scientists' multiple robots...

Another great animated short. I was surprised by the violence (you see a large bunch of policeman shooting at the giant and Superman takes quite a beating from the robots) but it's still perfect for kids. Also they show Superman using his X-Ray vision--that sequence alone was just unbelievable!

Fast, fun, full of action. Just great! A 10.

A SUPERMAN Cartoon.

Another mad scientist has sent his creations to terrorize Metropolis. Giant flying robots are pulling off daring bank robberies & jewel heists. When intrepid reporter Lois Lane is carried off by one of the robots, it's Superman to the rescue. But can even he stand up to the pounding he's about to receive from THE MECHANICAL MONSTERS?

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.

Oh-Oh! - There's definitely big-Big-BIG (!!) trouble happening in Metropolis these days where 50 foot tall mechanical monsters (who are being controlled from far out of range) have gone on a literal robbery spree (in broad daylight), plundering millions in cold, hard cash and highly precious jewels. And, it sure looks like there's no end to this monstrous crime-wave in sight.

But - Alas! - There's no need to fear or fret! - 'Cause once good, old Superman goes into action you can be certain that these super-sophisticated robots (and, yes, their ultra-greedy creator) will be put to a permanent stop before the day is done.

I love the Fleischer Superman cartoons. The animation is smooth and fluid with vivid colors. The distinct art-deco style, vintage science fiction imagery, and use of noirish shadows gave them a look unlike any other cartoons. The music and voice work is superb. They're fun, accessible, enduring animation classics.

This second cartoon in the Superman series is about an inventor who has built giant robots to commit robberies. The robots can fly like planes and opens banks like tin cans. Did I mention they are also SUPER FRICKING COOL!!! Pardon me geeking out but these robots are just awesome to watch. Anyway, back to the plot: Lois gets into trouble (naturally) and finds herself captured by the inventor. This, my friends, looks like a job for Superman if there ever was one. Supes must tangle with electrical wires, giant robots, and molten metal to save the day. Look at this cartoon! I mean, really, as you watch just take it all in and savor it. The rich details, the creativity, the vibrancy...it's just beautiful.

A mad scientist is unleashing robots to create havoc. They are stealing jewels.

When Lois Lane is taken by one of the robot's.

Superman is on the case as he takes on these fire spewing mechanical monsters.

The Fleischer brothers animation is so-so. There is very little here as to why the mad scientist is stealing the jewel. Nothing regarding motivation is explored.

It really is Clark Kent changes in a telephone box which seems to take ages and Superman goes into battle.

As a kid though I would had been excited watching this.

The Mechanical Monsters see's the return of our favourite superhero as this time he takes on a villian with a small army of giant robots he uses in his jewellery heists.

Alike the others this is quaint and highly nostalgic, with action happening in time with the music, cheesy one liners and Lois Lane there simply to be saved.

At 10 minutes in length there isn't much to see but it makes up for it being a nice slice of old school wartime entertainment.

The Good:

Highly nostalgic

Charming

The Bad:

Very short

Somewhat cheesy

Things I Learnt From This Short:

Every good villian needs a moustache

A villians lair isn't complete without a lava pool

I'm suddenly genuinely curious whether the police actually had tommy guns

The second of the Superman cartoons released by the Fleischer brothers on November 28, 1941.A fleet of robots are terrorizing gotham. They strike at a jewel exhibit and make off with all the jewels. Luckily Clark Kent and Lois Lane are at the exhibit. When Kent steps away to phone in the story, Lois Lane hides in one of the robots, and gets taken back to the villians hideout. It is Superman to the rescue.

This cartoon is one of 17 Superman cartoons made by the Fleischer brothers in the early 1940s. All Superman cartoons made during this time are available on VHS and DVD and all are in the Public Domain. Invest the time to look for a DVD that features all 17 cartoons for one price, and there are several available.

When it comes to plot and dialog, the Max Fleischer Superman cartoons pale in comparison to pretty much any modern superhero cartoon, even Batman: The Brave and the Bold is better written (I ought to write a review for that underrated show sometime, but not now). However, it's clear that's not the point of these cartoons. The point is to dazzle. To blow your mind with some of the most beautiful animation ever committed to celluloid. And almost all of the shorts succeed at that perfectly. Other than some very, very, very, very, very minor lapses that are easily ignored, the movements are fluid and grand on a level that would make the head of any MadHouse Studios animator explode.

I chose to review them on the "Mechanical Monsters" page because it's my favorite (aside from perhaps The Artic Giant, but that's probably just my love of Godzilla). I mean, come on: it's Superman fighting a bunch of robots, how cool is that?

I so enjoyed these cartoons when they came on. I was a child and was so pleased to know that this series predates the George Reeves offerings (which I also liked). In this one, a mad scientist (apparently part of subculture) has created something resembling Transformers. They are machines that can morph into other machines with a goal of destruction or sophisticated pillaging. Once Lois Lane gets wind of this, she manages to make her way on board one of them. This brings Superman out and he must face off against a horrible Ray created specifically to do him in. Lois, as usual, seems to cause considerable complications. One of the better of the series.

Wow, the first thing that hits you about every one of these vintage Superman animations is just the sheer quality of the animation, it's so astonishingly intricate in detail and gorgeous, and the character designs and the fluidity of their movements have such an eye-catching style to them that it's almost as if one of those old time Action Comics has come to life! If that was what the Fleischer Studios were going for when they were constructing this series of shorts than bravo guys, because you really nailed it. It was amazing just what the Fleischers were really capable of with a huge budget behind them and you can see every last penny on the screen, there's always a new detail that you can notice that you might not have the first time around. I love the design of the inexorably marching and transforming robots, something about the way they all stand to attention in unison and the classic Frankenstein march does make them a little strangely unnerving! They're so spot on the perfect image of what any imaginative young kid would think of if he were to think "evil robot" and I just love them! In my opinion though what's the most dated about this short is the dialogue and slight lack of logic in some of the story.. I mean for instance the Hitler knock-off can afford to build a squadron of sophisticated, semi-autonomous powerful robots that he could probably get militarised for a vast fortune but he uses them merely to commit petty larcenies? That must be where the mad part of scientist comes in.. The shorts are beautiful works of art visually but looking for depth is like diving into a kiddie pool, you're only gonna hurt yourself! I enjoy them for that thrilling and fascinating animation, when Superman is pummelling those surrounding robots into flaming scrap metal you can feel the superpowered strength of his blows! I love how there's no doom and gloom to this Superman, he's the real Man of Steel and is the purest of heroes and saves the day in an endless march of victory and I like that idea and image, it's simplistic, some might even say dated, but it's just good old fashioned heroics and is all so upbeat and "innocent", and there's value in that kind of hero and this short animation has its own kind of appeal. Old but still a great fun little watch and a real gem of an animation. X

Mechanical Monsters, The (1941)

*** (out of 4)

Second in the Fleischer/Paramount series has another mad scientist moving into town and bringing along his giant robots. He sends these robots out to steal money and jewelry, which gets reporter Lois involved but of course she's taken hostage and Superman must save the day. I found this film to be much more entertaining than the first because, while the stories are just a like, this one here features much more action, which makes the film overall more exciting. I really liked the monsters this time out and especially the way they were drawn. I also liked most of the action sequences including the best one, which involves Superman having to use his cape to stop some burning fluids from getting on Lois. The story itself was rather weak and unoriginal but it's good enough to make this short worth watching.

The Mechanical Monsters has been remixed and retold dozens of times since its 1941 release: Hayao Miyazaki got inspired to use elements for the Lupin the Third Part II t.v. series, and his 1986 feature film Laputa: Castle in the Sky. The Iron Giant pays homage to this short in its title character AND through Superman's influence on that film's title character; suffice to say The Mechanical Monsters has become immortalized in popular culture just like The Man of Steel himself.

77 years on and does this film still hold? Yes; absolutely. I have no doubt in my mind this one still holds up. And besides, I've always loved Superman just as much as I do these shorts.

The second of the seventeen Superman cartoons made by Fleischer / Famous Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures, this one has another scientist commiting heinous crimes. However, instead of building a laser that destroys like the mad scientist of the last short, he does something original and builds robots he sends out to steal. His latest target: the House of Jewels, which has put fifty million dollars worth of the world's rarest jewels on display in a new exhibit. Clark Kent and Lois Lane are there (the latter joining in late to get the woman's angle on the story), when the robots arrive. Clark Kent as his hands full as he has to become Superman to stop them, especially when Lois falls into one of the robots trying to get a closer look.

For an old cartoon, this is actually pretty good. The story is basically pretty good, as this short was the only one in the series where Superman gets to use his x-ray vision. Also, there is minimal dialogue, as the cartoon lets the action speak for itself, and what voice acting there is, it's good. Reccomended for every Superman fan.

Do you like killer robots? Well, THE MECHANICAL MONSTERS is one of the earliest appearances of these audacious automatons. Superman must battle an army of them and uncover their human master.

One of the best of the series, this short cartoon is loaded with action, including the robots robbing banks, defying the police and their puny weapons, and flying!

The boffo finale pits Superman against all of them!

Innovative and meticulously animated, the Fleischer brothers really made a quality series of cartoons here. The robots themselves are wonders to behold. Their lair, complete with charging stations, is also worth mentioning.

A true blast from the past that's built to last!...