Volcano

About the production

This was one of the final Superman cartoons produced by Fleischer Studios before the company was reorganized as Famous Studios by Paramount. The animation utilized the multiplane camera technique to create depth in the volcanic scenes. The volcano effects were created using cel animation combined with background paintings to achieve realistic lava flow effects. This short was produced during the transition period when Max Fleischer had been removed from the company, though Dave Fleischer was still credited as director.

Themes

Themes & topics

Historical background

Volcano (1942) circulated in studio-era and wartime programming. Is the eighth of seventeen animated Technicolor short films based upon the DC Comics character of Superman, originally created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster. Contemporary trade papers and later preservation notes document its place among theatrical and archive releases.

Why this film matters

Volcano remains accessible to researchers and viewers as a animated short in museum, archive, and streaming collections. Programmers cite it when tracing regional production history and surviving early prints.

Making of

The production of 'Volcano' took place during a tumultuous period at Fleischer Studios. The studio was experiencing financial difficulties and internal conflicts between brothers Max and Dave Fleischer. Paramount Pictures, the distributor, was increasingly dissatisfied with the studio's performance and was planning a takeover. The animation team used innovative techniques for the volcano effects, including layering multiple cels with different opacity levels to create depth in the lava flows. The voice recording was done in New York, with Bud Collyer performing both Clark Kent and Superman using different vocal pitches - a technique he perfected for the radio show. The cartoon's score was composed by Sammy Timberg, who created distinctive musical themes for the Superman series that would influence later superhero productions.

What critics said

Day-one reviews for Volcano are sparse in digitized press archives; later criticism treats it as a reference point for 1942 cinema programming and preservation.

Did you know?

• This was the 10th of 17 Superman theatrical cartoons produced by Fleischer/Famous Studios between 1941-1943
• Bud Collyer, who voiced Superman, also played the character on the popular radio series 'The Adventures of Superman'
• The volcano eruption effects were created using a combination of animated cels and painted glass to achieve a realistic molten lava appearance
• This short was released just six months after the United States entered World War II, reflecting the era's interest in disaster and rescue themes
• The native village depicted in the cartoon includes stereotypical representations that were common in animation of the 1940s
• Dave Fleischer left Fleischer Studios shortly after this cartoon was produced, making it one of his final directorial credits for the company
• The Superman cartoons were notable for their sophisticated animation and cinematic techniques, often using techniques borrowed from live-action films
• Each Superman short had a budget of approximately $50,000, which was exceptionally high for animated shorts of the period
• The volcanic eruption sequence required over 500 individual animation cels to create the flowing lava effects
• This cartoon was part of the same series that included 'The Mechanical Monsters,' which later inspired elements in the film 'Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow'

Visual style

The cartoon utilized the Fleischer Studios' trademark multiplane camera system to create depth and dimension in the volcanic scenes. The animators employed dramatic lighting techniques, using shadows and silhouettes to enhance the tension of the disaster sequences. Camera movements included sweeping pans across the volcanic landscape and dramatic zooms that emphasized the scale of the destruction. The use of forced perspective and layered backgrounds created a sense of three-dimensional space unusual for animation of the period. The color palette featured rich reds and oranges for the lava contrasted with cooler blues and purples for the night scenes, creating a visually striking presentation.

Innovations

The Fleischer Superman cartoons pioneered several technical innovations in animation. 'Volcano' featured some of the most sophisticated special effects animation of its time, particularly in the realistic depiction of flowing lava and volcanic explosions. The studio's use of the multiplane camera allowed for unprecedented depth in animated sequences. The rotoscoping technique, where live-action footage was traced by animators, was used for some of Superman's movements to create more realistic motion. The cartoon also featured advanced color techniques, using the Technicolor process to create rich, saturated hues that enhanced the dramatic impact of the volcanic scenes. The integration of background animation with character animation was seamless, creating a cohesive visual experience that raised the bar for theatrical animation.

Music

Sammy Timberg composed the original score for 'Volcano,' incorporating the distinctive Superman theme that became synonymous with the character in animation. The music used leitmotifs to represent different characters and emotions, with heroic brass fanfares for Superman's appearances and percussive, dissonant passages for the volcanic eruption. The sound effects were innovative for their time, using a combination of recorded sounds and created effects to simulate the rumbling volcano and flowing lava. The voice work by Bud Collyer featured his signature technique of using a deeper, more resonant voice for Superman and a higher, more ordinary voice for Clark Kent, establishing a convention that would be followed in most subsequent adaptations.

Famous quotes

'This looks like a job for Superman!'

'Up in the sky, look! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Superman!'

'Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!'

Memorable scenes

• The dramatic opening sequence showing the volcano erupting with lava flowing down the mountainside, Superman's dramatic arrival as he flies through the smoke and ash to reach the endangered village, the climactic sequence where Superman physically diverts a massive lava flow to save the settlement, the final scene where Superman uses his super-breath to cool the remaining volcanic activity

What audiences thought

The Superman cartoons were extremely popular with theater audiences in 1942, often serving as the main attraction for double bills. Children and adults alike were drawn to the sophisticated animation and dramatic storytelling. The shorts were so successful that they continued to be re-released in theaters for years after their initial run. In the decades that followed, 'Volcano' and other Superman cartoons became television staples, introducing new generations to the character. The cartoons developed a cult following among animation enthusiasts and comic book fans, with many considering the Fleischer era to be the definitive animated version of Superman.

Film connections

Influenced by

• Superman comic books by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
• 1930s disaster films
• Movie serials
• German Expressionist cinema (for dramatic lighting)
• Newsreel footage of volcanic eruptions

This film influenced

• Superman: The Animated Series
• The Iron Giant
• Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
• The Incredibles
• Batman: The Animated Series

Film restoration

The original Technicolor negatives are preserved in the UCLA Film and Television Archive. The cartoon has been digitally restored and is available on various home media releases. Warner Bros. (current owner of the Superman library) has included it in several DVD and Blu-ray collections of classic Superman animation.

Where to watch

• Warner Archive DVD collection 'Superman: The 1940s Animated Theatrical Shorts Collection'
• Digital streaming on Warner Bros. streaming platforms
• Various public domain animation websites (though quality may vary)
• Classic animation specialty channels and streaming services