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.
12 Reviews
Give It Back.....Please!
Hitchcoc27 December 2016
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.
Electric Earthquake
Prismark106 March 2021
A political subtext in this cartoon short.
The mad scientist is a Native American who demands the return of Manhattan to his people.
Somehow he makes his demands to the Daily Planet who are in no position to acquiesce to them.
The scientist has wired up electrical charges underneath the seas to cause a series of earthquakes that destroys buildings.
It is a job for Superman and once again intrepid reporter Lois Lane finds herself in peril. She managed to sneak into the scientist's boat.
There is some good animation here with the destruction scenes.
The mad scientist is a Native American who demands the return of Manhattan to his people.
Somehow he makes his demands to the Daily Planet who are in no position to acquiesce to them.
The scientist has wired up electrical charges underneath the seas to cause a series of earthquakes that destroys buildings.
It is a job for Superman and once again intrepid reporter Lois Lane finds herself in peril. She managed to sneak into the scientist's boat.
There is some good animation here with the destruction scenes.
Superman #7
Michael_Elliott17 May 2009
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.
** 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.
Better than most of the others
Horst_In_Translation5 May 2016
Warning: Spoilers
"Electric Earthquake" is a 9-minute cartoon from almost 75 years ago starring Superman in his fight against evil once more. These films usually stand and fall with the main antagonist and the villain here is an interesting one I dare say, visually and also in terms of his evil machine. Of course, Lois getting kidnapped once more is also as random and generic as it is repetitive, but I can live with that as the final rescue plot is something new too. I enjoyed watching this one here more than watching all the other Superman cartoons before this one. I give it a thumbs up and recommend you to check it out. And I am even pretty critical on the whole franchise in general, so my praise is worth even more. See it.
Very interesting Superman cartoon
preppy-316 October 2004
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.
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.
Fighting Evil With Superman
Ron Oliver28 April 2000
A Native American Scientist demands the return of Manhattan (Metropolis) to his people. Rebuffed, he unleashes an ELECTRIC EARTHQUAKE to destroy the city. With intrepid reporter Lois Lane his prisoner, and destruction mounting, it sure looks like a job for Superman.
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. Bud Collyer is the voice of Superman; Joan Alexander does the honors for Lois Lane.
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. Bud Collyer is the voice of Superman; Joan Alexander does the honors for Lois Lane.
Failing to light a spark...
paul_haakonsen6 June 2023
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.
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.
Finally, a Superman cartoon that I liked.
planktonrules19 October 2013
I have seen most of the Superman cartoons made by the Fleischer Brothers for Paramount during the 1940s. Unfortanately, I have never particularly enjoyed them...that is up until now. "Electric Earthquake" brings the cartoon series an interesting villain--one you have a hard time completely hating.
The film begins with a Native American genius planting some sort of electrodes emanating from his underwater lair to Manhattan island. Then, he comes to the surface and announces that the government MUST give the island back to the natives or else! Well, they don't listen and soon he unleashes a wave of electric terror--causing the island to explode bit by bit. Not at all surprisingly, Lois gets caught up in all this and is taken prisoner. And, predictably, Superman comes to the rescue.
As I mentioned above, I liked this one because the story was strong--something not true for most of the other stories in the series. It was very interesting and kept my interest throughout--though I think it's the only time home for Superman was New York and not Metropolis!
The film begins with a Native American genius planting some sort of electrodes emanating from his underwater lair to Manhattan island. Then, he comes to the surface and announces that the government MUST give the island back to the natives or else! Well, they don't listen and soon he unleashes a wave of electric terror--causing the island to explode bit by bit. Not at all surprisingly, Lois gets caught up in all this and is taken prisoner. And, predictably, Superman comes to the rescue.
As I mentioned above, I liked this one because the story was strong--something not true for most of the other stories in the series. It was very interesting and kept my interest throughout--though I think it's the only time home for Superman was New York and not Metropolis!
Excellent
utgard1414 December 2013
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 seventh in the series is one of the best and most interesting. A Native American scientist demands the return of Manhattan to his people. Everybody but Lois Lane believes his threats to be empty. Lois sneaks onto the guy's motorboat and follows him back to his secret lair, which is a very cool underwater laboratory. After the scientist straps Lois into a chair ready-made to keep someone prisoner, he begins to unleash his earthquake device on the city. He has large electric cables connected to the bedrock of Manhattan island and, when he sends electric surges through the cables, he causes earthquakes. This results in some exciting scenes. Superman is quickly on the job and into the water, where he discovers the cables and proceeds to try to undo them. This proves harder than it looks. The rest of the cartoon is fun, non-stop action as Supes tries to save the city from the earthquake machine.
This is a great cartoon. The plot is a little more detailed than the average entry in the series and the villain is very unique. It's also interesting that the city is explicitly referred to as the real place of Manhattan, as opposed to the fictional city of Metropolis where Superman's adventures usually take place.
The seventh in the series is one of the best and most interesting. A Native American scientist demands the return of Manhattan to his people. Everybody but Lois Lane believes his threats to be empty. Lois sneaks onto the guy's motorboat and follows him back to his secret lair, which is a very cool underwater laboratory. After the scientist straps Lois into a chair ready-made to keep someone prisoner, he begins to unleash his earthquake device on the city. He has large electric cables connected to the bedrock of Manhattan island and, when he sends electric surges through the cables, he causes earthquakes. This results in some exciting scenes. Superman is quickly on the job and into the water, where he discovers the cables and proceeds to try to undo them. This proves harder than it looks. The rest of the cartoon is fun, non-stop action as Supes tries to save the city from the earthquake machine.
This is a great cartoon. The plot is a little more detailed than the average entry in the series and the villain is very unique. It's also interesting that the city is explicitly referred to as the real place of Manhattan, as opposed to the fictional city of Metropolis where Superman's adventures usually take place.
Villain alone makes this one of my favorite Superman cartoons!
betina-1895426 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
If you have read my review of the first cartoon, and my review of the second. You will know that i owned a dvd with most of these cartoons, as a child. 12 of the cartoons, to be precise. 8 of the Fleischer cartoons, and 4 of the Famous Studios cartoons. Sadly, this was the only one of the Fleischer cartoons that i didn't have on my dvd. So i didn't see this one as a child. It's a shame, because this really is one of my 3 favorite cartoons of this series, along with the first cartoon, and the Mechanical Monsters. Let's see why.
The story is about this Native American scientist, who has this secret underwater capsule, with several large wires, that converge in it. These wires are connected to the underwater bedrock. Inside the capsule, are the controls to the wires. So this is obviously a machine, and if started, it makes powerful electric earthquakes throughout Manhattan. He one day visits the Daily Planet, and warns Lois Lane, Clark Kent, and Perry White that they must run a report that Manhattan belongs to his people and should be given back to them. The Planet crew judges him to be crazy, and his threats to be empty... at least, everyone but Lois, who follows him to his motorboat. Hiding in the back, Lois is taken to his deserted fishing house on the water and sees his elevator. The man catches her watching him in the elevator's reflection, and calmly invites her to follow him, promising an amazing story. Lois follows. The elevator lowers into the underwater capsule, and the man offers her a seat, then pushes a button which pins her arms and legs to the chair. Stepping up to the controls, he starts up his earthquake machine, sending a powerful surge of electricity through one of the wires and into the bedrock under the city. The large explosion causes the entire city to shake. And now it's up to Superman to save the day.
Yet another Superman cartoon with a mad scientist. So why is this one of my 3 favorite cartoons of this series?? My answer is, the villain. All the other cartoons had pretty bland villains, who are either crazy or hungry for money. But this villain actually has a different motive. And one that really makes sense. He wants Manhattan back for his own people, which he felt was stolen from them by the US. That makes this villain really unique and interesting. I actually wish they would have made him a recurring Superman or DC villain. Yes, i like this villain that much. If it wasn't for the villain, this one would probably be one of my lesser favorites. Since without the villain, this would just be another mad scientist cartoon. There's plenty of other things to admire too. the animation and the action scenes are great, just like in the other cartoons. It's also interesting that this is the only time Superman's home is New York and not Metropolis.
This is one of the absolute best cartoons of this series. The villain alone, makes this one great. 10/10.
The story is about this Native American scientist, who has this secret underwater capsule, with several large wires, that converge in it. These wires are connected to the underwater bedrock. Inside the capsule, are the controls to the wires. So this is obviously a machine, and if started, it makes powerful electric earthquakes throughout Manhattan. He one day visits the Daily Planet, and warns Lois Lane, Clark Kent, and Perry White that they must run a report that Manhattan belongs to his people and should be given back to them. The Planet crew judges him to be crazy, and his threats to be empty... at least, everyone but Lois, who follows him to his motorboat. Hiding in the back, Lois is taken to his deserted fishing house on the water and sees his elevator. The man catches her watching him in the elevator's reflection, and calmly invites her to follow him, promising an amazing story. Lois follows. The elevator lowers into the underwater capsule, and the man offers her a seat, then pushes a button which pins her arms and legs to the chair. Stepping up to the controls, he starts up his earthquake machine, sending a powerful surge of electricity through one of the wires and into the bedrock under the city. The large explosion causes the entire city to shake. And now it's up to Superman to save the day.
Yet another Superman cartoon with a mad scientist. So why is this one of my 3 favorite cartoons of this series?? My answer is, the villain. All the other cartoons had pretty bland villains, who are either crazy or hungry for money. But this villain actually has a different motive. And one that really makes sense. He wants Manhattan back for his own people, which he felt was stolen from them by the US. That makes this villain really unique and interesting. I actually wish they would have made him a recurring Superman or DC villain. Yes, i like this villain that much. If it wasn't for the villain, this one would probably be one of my lesser favorites. Since without the villain, this would just be another mad scientist cartoon. There's plenty of other things to admire too. the animation and the action scenes are great, just like in the other cartoons. It's also interesting that this is the only time Superman's home is New York and not Metropolis.
This is one of the absolute best cartoons of this series. The villain alone, makes this one great. 10/10.
On Shaky Ground...
azathothpwiggins12 April 2022
Another mad scientist is up to no good, utilizing a weapon that causes earthquakes to destroy NYC. Superman must save the city and Lois too.
A novel plot idea has the scientist being a Native American seeking the return of Manhattan Island to his people.
Another example of the superior animation from the brothers Fleischer...
A novel plot idea has the scientist being a Native American seeking the return of Manhattan Island to his people.
Another example of the superior animation from the brothers Fleischer...
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