"Superman: The Mechanical Monsters" Screenings at the Museum of the Moving Image

"Superman: The Mechanical Monsters" Screenings at the Museum of the Moving Image

Posted on March 21, 2025 by Neil Cole

The Museum of the Moving Image is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest exhibition, "Fleischer Studios Cartoons - Restored!", running from March 20th to April 20th, 2025, in the museum's Jane Henson Amphitheater. This special installation will showcase four of the most iconic and beloved cartoons from the pioneering American animation studio, Fleischer Studios, in their newly restored formats.

From the 1920s to the early 1940s, Fleischer Studios produced animated shorts that achieved immense success, rivaling the cultural impact of Walt Disney. Founded by Max and Dave Fleischer, the studio created animated films for both adults and children during the Great Depression, delivering a unique blend of wit, entertainment, and social commentary. The Fleischers' work reflected not only the social transformation of their time but also provided critique and sometimes offered progressive alternatives to contemporary issues, while at other times, mirroring the prejudices of the era.

Max Fleischer's groundbreaking invention of the rotoscope in 1915, a device that allowed live-action footage to serve as a basis for the fluid movement of animated characters, was pivotal in the development of these cartoons. Over the years, the Fleischer brothers created a rich world of memorable and often rebellious animated characters, including Ko-Ko the Clown, Betty Boop, Popeye, and Superman.

In 2022, a major restoration effort was launched for the Fleischer Studios' extensive library of nearly 700 films. To date, 100 films have been restored, and "Fleischer Studios Cartoons - Restored!" presents four standout shorts, each representing a key character from the Fleischer legacy: Betty Boop, Popeye, Superman, and Ko-Ko the Clown.

The restored cartoons featured in this exhibition include:

"Superman: The Mechanical Monsters" (1941)
Directed by Dave Fleischer
10 minutes

"Out of the Inkwell: Jumping Beans" (1922)
Directed by Dave Fleischer
8:30 minutes

"Popeye the Sailor Man: The Paneless Window Washer" (1937)
Directed by Dave Fleischer
6 minutes

"Betty Boop: Judge for a Day" (1935)
Directed by Dave Fleischer
8 minutes (Restoration Premiere)

Each of these restored shorts provides a window into the rich history and innovation of American animation, celebrating the lasting influence of Fleischer Studios and its creators.

The exhibition will be on display at the Museum of the Moving Image, located in Astoria, Queens, from March 20th to April 20th, 2025. For more information about the exhibition or to purchase tickets, please visit MovingImage.org.