Electric Earthquake

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.

A Native American man says that Manhattan (Metropolis) belongs to his people and demands that it should be returned to them. Naturally he's refused. So, he plants something like explosive charges in the water under Manhattan and sets them off causing earthquakes. Naturally Lois Lane (as usual) is captured and tied up by him. Looks like it's Superman to the rescue.

Very good and very interesting in that it has a Native American as a villain. Also bringing up how Manhattan belongs to the Indians was very advanced for a 1942 cartoon. Still it's not really dealt with--this was just for entertainment and the action scenes delivered. I especially liked the elevator that traveled underwater to the villain's hideout.

Lots of fun! A 10.

I have to say that so far, as part of sitting through watching the old 1940 "Superman" short animated features, then "Electric Earthquake" was sort of bland and mediocre.

The storyline in "Electric Earthquake", as written by Seymour Kneitel and Izzy Sparber, was a rather mundane foray into the otherwise thrilling and action-packed universe of "Superman". Sure, it felt and looked like something that belonged in the "Superman" animated franchise, but I just didn't find the narrative here particularly entertaining or thrilling.

The art and animation was good, just as in the many other short animated "Superman" features from the 1940s.

Watchable for what it was, director Dave Fleischer and Steve Muffati's 1942 "Electric Earthquake" felt a bit forced and bland.

My rating of "Electric Earthquake" lands on a five out of ten stars.

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.

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.