FAQ

$50,000.The story goes that a Paramount representative proposed a Superman cartoon series to the Fleischers, and Dave Flesicher replied that it would be virtually impossible to do. With the requirements of realistic animation and special effects, the cost of doing such a series would be prohibitive. When Paramount asked how much, Dave decided to quote such a high price that the studio would immediately say no. He said $50,000--four times the cost of an average cartoon. Surprisingly, Paramount said yes--and the Fleischers were obliged to produce a SUPERMAN series.

-- Leonard Maltin, Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons, NY, 1987, p.120

Yes, when Clark Kent is summoned to his office, he replies, "OK, Mr. White." His door says "Managing Editor" and everyone calls him "Chief."

Yes, though The Daily Planet isn't named until near the end when a copy of the newspaper appears on the screen.

In 1998, WinStar released the Max Fleischer Superman cartoons on DVD with a new and "enhanced" surround-sound design under the banner of the Feel the Sound Theater Experience.

It is these surround-sound versions from which virtually all the current DVD releases have been made.

The unaltered versions are available on an expensive and out-of-print DVD release from Image Entertainment called The Superman Cartoons of Max and Dave Fleischer (1998) (V). Look for the cover with a close-up of Clark Kent's chest as he rips open his shirt. The title of the DVD is printed on his chest; he is looking to the left.

Don't be fooled by the deceptive bargain version which virtually copies the Image Entertainment cover. On the inferior version, Superman's S is more prominently displayed.

Clark Kents asks Perry White, "Chief, don't you think that's a dangerous mission for a girl?" The censored version clips the end of the line, and he says, "Chief, don't you think that's a dangerous mission?"

Watch this film on:

archive.org here (with the original sound but the censored line);

YouTube (from davidpetersonharvey) here (same as above);

YouTube (from XYZpm) here (with the 1998 sound and the censored line).

The following is a list of similar speeches in which a mad scientist expresses his frustration over the peers who shun him and declares that he'll vindicate himself.

Bride of Frankenstein (1935) (1935) Henry Frankenstein: [introducing him to his wife] "This is Prof. Pretorius. He used to be Doctor of Philosophy at the university. But, uh ... "

Dr. Pretorius: "But I was booted out -- booted, my dear Baron, is the word -- for knowing too much." Superman: The Mad Scientist (1941) (1941) The Mad Scientist sends a note to the Daily Planet: "Beware - you fools! My Electrothanasia-Ray strikes tonight at 12. Total destruction will come to those who laughed at me and failed to heed my warnings. Beware - I strike at midnight!" Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975) (1975) Professor Mafune: [subtitled version] "I will make them pay for what they did to me. I will take revenge on those fools who treated me as if I were a madman and expelled me from society." The Marsh Monster/The Runaways/Will the World Collide?/Time Rescue (1977) (1977)Dr. Fearo: [to the Mighty Cleazor] "The earth is no longer my home. I was thrown out of the scientific community. But with your help I will have my revenge on those fools!" Prisoners of the Lost Universe (1983) (1983) Dr. Hartmann has invented a device that sends people to a parallel dimension. He tells a reporter, "Your [television] program is precisely what I need to make those fools in the Halls of Science take my work seriously."