The Superman Cartoons of Max and Dave Fleischer

Starring:Jackson Beck, Joan Alexander, Noa, Bud Collyer, Jack Mercer
Director: Dave Fleischer
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

This collection of fully restored, 1930s animated shorts from the legendary Max Fleischer are a real treat. For anyone who has grown up associating the Superman character with different phases of art direction in Superman comic books over the last 50 years, or best remembers the look of the Christopher Reeve films or the old television show, these 'toons will be a mini-revelation. Expanding on cues from the first generation of Superman comics, Fleischer immerses the man from Krypton in a marvelous blend of art deco, William Cameron Menzies-inspired sets, and edgy compositions that can't help but remind one of Fritz Lang-ian paranoia. Everything is oversized, blocky but rounded, ferociously modernist, and all too vulnerable. Superman's very function as a character in these highly dramatic and richly colored fables is both defending the overbearing, urban progressiveness and capital excesses of a young 20th century while also reassuring us that progress is not as indomitable as a man--at least a Superman. The DVD includes a bonus Fleischer short, "Play Safe," plus information about the restoration process, three choices of sound, complete history, synopsis, and credits. --Tom Keogh

Description

Voice Cast: Bud Collier, Joan Alexander - The 17 original animated Max Fleischer studios cartoons, based on the comic book character, Superman, released by Paramount Pictures were shown monthly at movie theaters from September 9th 1941 to July 30th 1943. Each cartoon is brimming with action and special effects, beautifully drawn and colored, braced with fabulous background paintings and brought to life with realistic movement. DVD Bonus & Features:Booklet - The Super Guide to the Fleischer Superman Cartoons, Behind the Cape: A Synopsis of each cartoon with fun facts, Bon Cartoon - Snafuperman (a wartime parody of the Fleischer cartoons), Bios, Bonus Superman trailer for the Superman serials (1948) starring Kirk Alyn, Digitally Re-stored. Product Specs: DVD-9, Dolby Digital, NTSC/All Region, English Language Disclaimer: SUPERMAN and all related elements are the property of DC Comics. TM & @2006 - VCI's classic animated version of Superman is to not be confused with any or all elements pertaining to the DC Comics Version, or the movies and television series produced by Warner Brothers.

Customer Reviews:

The Complete Superman Cartoons - Diamond Anniversary Edition.......2007-05-22

The Fleischer Brothers' Studio were doing animation work, light years ahead of their time. Cartoon animation seems to be the correct arena to display a comic book story. The still pages of the comic strip come to life with amazing(and sometimes surrealistic) colors;check out "The Magnetic Telescope". Sammy Timberg's musical arrangements hold you riveted into the ever-progressing action of the plot. And then, there is always at the end of the story a comforting quip from Clark Kent to the viewers. This is Superman as he was meant to be. This is Superman from the 1940s. This is Superman who could leap tall buildings in a single bound. Not the Superman of today who travels from galaxy to galaxy. This is the time zone into which Superman was born. Relive it!!! Don't miss it!! Buy this treasure of American Mythology today!!

In the beginning..........2007-04-10

Holy cow, these 10-minute animated shorts are awesome! The funnest part in watching them is to see Superman, Clark Kent, Lois Lane and the whole gang in their originality. The stories are basic but smart, quick-paced, exciting, and heroic. Yeah, the soundtracks are a bit over-the top at times, but that was the music style of adventure movies in the 1940s. I love the spirited characterizations and some of the stories like with the volcano, the runaway train robbery, etc.

I also noticed how the recent Donner and Singer films have borrowed from these. Especially in "Superman Returns", his flying style of dropping out of the sky feet-first was originally done in these animations -- COOL! A must for Superman fans.

Fun; Nice animation.......2007-04-10

I recommend this DVD set for fans of Superman and classic animation (1st half of 20th century). The stories are fun and the visuals are very nice to watch.

A Timeless Classic.......2007-04-03

It is amazing to see all of the work and artistry that went into this series. It is also interesting to think of what was transpiring in the outside world when these were shown in theaters. I also wonder if we give these serials enough credit in the formation of the Superman mythos. After all, they came out just a few years after his creation. Great stuff.

Great stories from the golden age of animation.......2007-03-26

Excellent quality Max Fleischer from the "golden age" of animation as well as dramatic stories make these a treat. People expecting animated series from later decades may be disappointed if they purchase these by mistake, but they really shouldn't be. The Max Fleischer "Superman" still looks good today and indeed it has an edgy, sometimes surreal, look ...and a natural difference from modern animation practices...that makes these cartoons quite arty. And the storylines haven't all become outdated either. They still pack a punch. And Max's Louis Lane is one tough adventurous female, in many ways more of a modern feminist era heroine than the Lois Lane from subsequent TV series and movies. Thanks Max!

The Superman Cartoons of Max and Dave Fleischer

Average customer rating:

The Complete Superman Cartoons - Diamond Anniversary Edition
In the beginning...
Fun; Nice animation
A Timeless Classic
Great stories from the golden age of animation

The Superman Cartoons of Max and Dave Fleischer
Starring: Joan Alexander , Jackson Beck , Noa , Bud Collyer , and Jack Mercer
Director: Dave Fleischer
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Classics | Genres | DVD | Video

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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10-12 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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Similar Items:

Look, Up in the Sky - The Amazing Story of Superman
Superman - The Lost Episodes
Superman - The 1948 & 1950 Theatrical Serials Collection
Superman - The Animated Series, Volume One (DC Comics Classic Collection)
Superman - The Animated Series, Volume Three (DC Comics Classic Collection)

ASIN: 6305078955
Release Date: 1998-06-03

Amazon.com

Description

Includes all 17 original vivid color cartoons that were shown theatrically between 1941 and 1943. Renowned animators Max and Dave Fleischer spent over $100,000 to produce each of these catoons and every one has been transferred from mint 35mm prints to insure the finest possible quality. Includes Warner Brothers' "Snafuperman" wartime parody.

Customer Reviews:

The Complete Superman Cartoons - Diamond Anniversary Edition.......2007-05-22

In the beginning..........2007-04-10

Fun; Nice animation.......2007-04-10

I recommend this DVD set for fans of Superman and classic animation (1st half of 20th century). The stories are fun and the visuals are very nice to watch.

A Timeless Classic.......2007-04-03

Great stories from the golden age of animation.......2007-03-26

Average customer rating:

The Complete Superman Cartoons - Diamond Anniversary Edition
In the beginning...
Fun; Nice animation
A Timeless Classic
Great stories from the golden age of animation

Max Fleischer's Superman
Starring: Joan Alexander , Jackson Beck , Noa , Bud Collyer , and Jack Mercer
Director: Dave Fleischer
Manufacturer: Winstar
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Classics | Genres | DVD | Video

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

7-9 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

10-12 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Family Films | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Action & Adventure | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Kids & Family | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Look, Up in the Sky - The Amazing Story of Superman
Superman - The Lost Episodes
Superman - The 1948 & 1950 Theatrical Serials Collection
Superman - The Animated Series, Volume One (DC Comics Classic Collection)
Superman - The Animated Series, Volume Three (DC Comics Classic Collection)

ASIN: 1572523034
Release Date: 1998-06-10

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

The Complete Superman Cartoons - Diamond Anniversary Edition.......2007-05-22

In the beginning..........2007-04-10

Fun; Nice animation.......2007-04-10

I recommend this DVD set for fans of Superman and classic animation (1st half of 20th century). The stories are fun and the visuals are very nice to watch.

A Timeless Classic.......2007-04-03

Great stories from the golden age of animation.......2007-03-26

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