Hit or Miss - Japoteurs

[cbrubaker]

What do you think of this short?

This "Superman" short was...meh...not the best. Very politically incorrect, though.

[Ray Pointer]

First of all, JAPETEOURS was the first SUPERMAN produced by Famous Studios. It incorporated the wartime consciousness, regardless of the present day "politically incorrect" view. Over time policital views and social issues change. But at the time the Japanese and Germans were the enemy of the United States. In this respect, SUPERMAN was a symbol for the U.S. to defeat these foes.

I'm not sure as to what the perception here is, where this cartoon is a "hit or miss" based on these issues. In terms of the dramatic/adventure structure, it serves its purpose, and works well within many limitations, including a lower budget compared to the Fleischer shorts. Still, the animation comes off very well, and it is competently produced.

The only Famous SUPERMAN that seems to miss the mark is THE MUMMY STRIKES. Although an interesting concept, there are some confused spots in the story, faulty direction, faulty Art Direction, and slow timing.

[Geezil]

[...]I'm not sure as to what the perception here is, where this cartoon is a "hit or miss" based on these issues. In terms of the dramatic/adventure structure, it serves its purpose, and works well within many limitations, including a lower budget compared to the Fleischer shorts. Still, the animation comes off very well, and it is competently produced.

As was the case (IMO) with Famous' later "Eleventh Hour" as well, where they went back to mine essentially the same vein with one notable variation. But story-wise, while that story peg did allow Superman to go nuts in the name of Uncle Sam as never before, it does seem a bit fuzzy as to just why Clark and Lois were under house arrest in Yokohama to begin with (I mean, apart from the standard Lois characterization!).

[Chow Hound]

I liked it, although the Japanese caricatures were a little over the top. But as Ray pointed out, 60 years ago we were at war with Japan. I loved the idea of a huge bomber carrying it's own fighter escort and launching them off it's back. Very Thunderbirds-like.

[J Lee]

It's been noted (by Jerry Beck and others) that once the transition from Fleischer to Famous Studios was complete, there was a speight of cartoons that were really hard on the Japanese, both in the Superman and Popeye series. Part of that might just be how long it took the shorts to make it through the pipeline (Famous' first cartoons came 10 months after Pearl Harbor, though they did get a Japanese reference into "Blunder Below" before Max and Dave were deposed). But it did take the studio a little while longer to come up with cartoons attacking/lampooning the Nazis than it did to go after Japan (In contrast, Warners went the opposite direction, focusing on the Germans before the Japanese).

[Chow Hound]

But it did take the studio a little while longer to come up with cartoons attacking/lampooning the Nazis than it did to go after Japan (In contrast, Warners went the opposite direction, focusing on the Germans before the Japanese).

But that's understandable because Japan had attacked us while Germany hadn't.

[Vdubdavid]

Not to mention the Warner Brothers were heavily anti-Nazi even before the war started in Europe.

[Duck Dodgers]

First of all, JAPETEOURS was the first SUPERMAN produced by Famous Studios. It incorporated the wartime consciousness, regardless of the present day "politically incorrect" view. Over time policital views and social issues change. But at the time the Japanese and Germans were the enemy of the United States. In this respect, SUPERMAN was a symbol for the U.S. to defeat these foes.

I'm not sure as to what the perception here is, where this cartoon is a "hit or miss" based on these issues. In terms of the dramatic/adventure structure, it serves its purpose, and works well within many limitations, including a lower budget compared to the Fleischer shorts. Still, the animation comes off very well, and it is competently produced.

The only Famous SUPERMAN that seems to miss the mark is THE MUMMY STRIKES. Although an interesting concept, there are some confused spots in the story, faulty direction, faulty Art Direction, and slow timing.

i agree with you point,when i watch the mummy strikes i'm always disappointed due to the many errors related not only to the plot but to the whole cartoon

[Ray Pointer]

As was the case (IMO) with Famous' later "Eleventh Hour" as well, where they went back to mine essentially the same vein with one notable variation. But story-wise, while that story peg did allow Superman to go nuts in the name of Uncle Sam as never before, it does seem a bit fuzzy as to just why Clark and Lois were under house arrest in Yokohama to begin with (I mean, apart from the standard Lois characterization!).

Unfortunately, you miss a lot of good points about THE ELEVENTH HOUR. First, it is a better and more exciting cartoon, than Japoteurs, using very interesting angles and a lot of cinematic devices that all students of film show observe.

The reason why Clark and Lois are under "house arrest" is explained, although very briefly. Remember, they are reporters. They are under "house arrest" because they are in enemy territory. Various non-combatants such as the press and medical personnel were treated in this fashion. In this case, Clark and Lois are foreign correspondants. The Japanese Military had to guard them for their protection and to be sure they were not there as spies or sabateurs. But as we know, that is exactly what SUPERMAN does every night at 11 o'clock.

[Geezil]

Unfortunately, you miss a lot of good points about THE ELEVENTH HOUR. First, it is a better and more exciting cartoon, than Japoteurs, using very interesting angles and a lot of cinematic devices that all students of film show observe.

The reason why Clark and Lois are under "house arrest" is explained, although very briefly. Remember, they are reporters. They are under "house arrest" because they are in enemy territory. Various non-combatants such as the press and medical personnel were treated in this fashion. In this case, Clark and Lois are foreign correspondants. The Japanese Military had to guard them for their protection and to be sure they were not there as spies or sabateurs. But as we know, that is exactly what SUPERMAN does every night at 11 o'clock.

Actuallly, Ray, I don't believe I've missed all that much about "Eleventh Hour," but one of the better features of GAC is that we can agree to disagree.

[Duck Dodgers]

Actuallly, Ray, I don't believe I've missed all that much about "Eleventh Hour," but one of the better features of GAC is that we can agree to disagree.


oh,that's sure,i'm 100% sure ray did not want to hurt your feelings but was only trying,with his encyclopedic knowledge about animation,to let you know his point!

i admit that eleventh hour is,in some ways,an unusual effort in the superman series but the plot has always been an interesting one and it's,in my opinion,the most serious and intelligent one ever developed for a superman cartoon

[J Lee]

"Eleventh Hour" is also notable as the last cartoon (and the only Famous Studios short) directed by Williad Bowsky before his death in World War II. Of all the Fleischer directors through the 1930s and early 40s, Bowsky was the one that had the best sense of drama, and it shows in his Superman shorts like this or "Volcano".

[Ray Pointer]

Actuallly, Ray, I don't believe I've missed all that much about "Eleventh Hour," but one of the better features of GAC is that we can agree to disagree.

The point here was that there are many things about this cartoon that have merit, regardless of certain perceptions about the story. These points have already been outlined. The reasons for the house arrest situation, which is an aspect of history, is one to be gained from seeing this. And in a small way, this should help in understanding what was happening then, even if it is portrayed in a cartoon.

[Frank]

This cartoon is very good. The animation is great, the artwork is breathtaking, and it has a very good story.