The Magnetic Telescope (1942)

Someone used the term "misguided" to describe the scientists in this series. It's easy when they have true science in mind but don't know what they are dealing with. The others are the ones with criminal intent. Where the science is used to rob or plunder. This is the former, where this guy doesn't know when to stop, causing chaos for the world. Even after his machine is destroyed the results of his actions continue to affect the earth. A comet, a very large celestial body, heads toward the earth and Superman is pretty small compared to it. He must use every tool in his arsenal to dissuade the space junk. Of course, Lois is right there, getting in the way. This is a landmark episode where a kiss is exchanged. I'm sure the kids watching this on Saturday mornings would have yelled, "Mush." There was some innocence at that time. Remember, outside the theater, a war was in progress.

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.The sixth in the Superman series is about a scientist's creation, the magnetic telescope, which can draw comets to Earth. After an initial disaster, where the scientist causes a comet to crash into town before rolling into the sea, the police of Metropolis suggest this guy take a beat before proceeding. The scientist, however, is undeterred and proceeds to draw another comet to Earth. The police interfere and disrupt the telescope's generator, causing the power to go out. Now there's a comet hurtling towards Metropolis with no way to stop it. Superman does his super best but it's no use. He manages to restart the generator and then, in one of the greatest scenes from the entire Fleischer Superman series, he holds together two cut ends of wire and allows his own body to conduct the electric current needed to power the telescope.A fun, fast-paced entry in the series. The image of Superman with electricity coursing through his body arm-to-arm is pretty cool, as is the cute scene where Lois kisses Clark in the dark, thinking he is Superman.

This is the sixth in the Superman series of cartoons produced by Max and Dave Flesicher for Paramount. In this one, a scientist uses his giant magnet to get a comet to come closer. Why he would want to do that, I don't know but the police is so intent on stopping him they put a steel stick in the generator that causes to power in the building to go off. Of course, Lois Lane the reporter is there and, as usual, gets herself in a jam which means Superman will rescue her...Couple of things to note: For once, Clark doesn't say, "This is a job for Superman". And that he and Lois share a kiss at the end with her thinking it was with Supes since it was in the dark (but of course, it is!) The special effects in these cartoons are the thrilling part that makes these worth the effort to watch since unlike the usual stilted Saturday morning weekly efforts done by Hanna-Barbera and Filmation from the '70s, these artists have all the time and money to do these right. So on that note, The Magnetic Telescope was another worthy Superman cartoon.

FALLING into a rather long line of tales featuring rather off-beat Scientists, 'THE MAGNETIC TERLESCOPE' ranks as # 6 in the original 17 SUPERMAN Animated Cartoon Short Subjects that came from the Fleischer Brothers/Famous Studios & Paramount Pictures in the early 1940's. While the picture had so many of the hallmarks that were an integral part of the SUPERMAN Cartoons format, it seems to have a certain freshness of presentation that sets it as a stand-out in the fine series.DEVELOPING the story as the work of a misguided, only slightly mad (perhaps just "fatigued" from slaving at his telescope), but not evil research astronomer; the story became the tale of technological discoveries outstripping our ability to safely use it in a controlled situation. They say that Our Reach should not exceed Our Grasp!" (Hey Schultz, just who are "They" anyway?) AS one would expect, the Staff of The Daily Planet is involved in the business of getting all of the dope on the sudden and unaccountable movement of many of the asteroids, planetoids and comets that are a part of our home solar system.THE culprit, a lone, self-righteous and megalomaniacal scientist just happens to be in full time residence in an extremely well equipped observatory located conveniently on a mountain top overlooking the city of Metropolis. His Mt. Palomar look-alike stronghold is invaded by Miss Lois Lane and the usual interplay occurs between Miss Lane, Superman and the Scientist. (No Schultz, that's not a threesome!) JUST as is prevalent in all of the entries, the artwork is astoundingly beautiful, captivating backgrounds and fine character animation. If such a category is used in animation, the "Special Effects" animation featuring the magnetic force and its capture and of that Comet (Name we can't recall).THE scene where the heavenly body is crashed into the Metropolis street in a slowed down motion and its eventual return to its proper position in our solar system.THE overall success of the Fleischer/Famous Studios/Paramount Pictures SUPERMAN Series should have been a clarion call to others in Hollywood's Animation producers to attempt to do some similarly serious cartoon shorts with some other characters from features in Newspaper Comic Strips or the more juvenilely oriented world of the Comic Books.INTERESTINGLY enough, there were never any other such series attempted until the great Comics Revival & Bonanza of that post BATMAN craze of 1966. Fittingly one of the first of such animated comics series wad THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN (Filmation Associates, 1966). In keeping with tradition, the voices for the characters of Kent/Superman, Lois Lane and Perry White were rendered by Bud Collyer, Joan Alexander and Jackson Beck; all being veterans of the SUPERMAN Radio Show on Mutual Radio.* THE wheel had spun a full! NOTE * Both Clayton "Bud" Collyer and Miss Joan Alexander had voiced the characters on three different occasions; being the SUPERMAN Radio Show, the SUPERMAN Theatrical Cartoon Series (Fleischer/Famous Studios/Paramount) as well as the THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN (FIlmation Associates/CBS TV, 1966). Mr. Jackson Beck did the Radio Show and the Animated Television Series; but not (as far as we know) the Theatrical Cartoons.POODLE SCHNITZ!!