The Magnetic Telescope (1942)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Crappy film

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

Someone used the term "misguided" to describe the scientists in this series. It's easy when they have true science in mind but don't know what they are dealing with. The others are the ones with criminal intent. Where the science is used to rob or plunder. This is the former, where this guy doesn't know when to stop, causing chaos for the world. Even after his machine is destroyed the results of his actions continue to affect the earth. A comet, a very large celestial body, heads toward the earth and Superman is pretty small compared to it. He must use every tool in his arsenal to dissuade the space junk. Of course, Lois is right there, getting in the way. This is a landmark episode where a kiss is exchanged. I'm sure the kids watching this on Saturday mornings would have yelled, "Mush." There was some innocence at that time. Remember, outside the theater, a war was in progress.

"The Magnetic Telescope" is one of the better cartoons from the Superman series that the Fleischer Brothers made. The plot is very exciting and is has a neat scene at the end where Clark gets to smooch Lois! It begins with a stupid and very irresponsible scientist testing out his insane telescopic device. It uses magnetics to bring objects closer to the Earth! And, not surprisingly, when he brings a meteor near the planet, it causes some serious damage. However, he's determined to try this again--but on a much larger object!! When a comet is brought near, folks rush the observatory and smash the device--but the comet STILL comes hurtling towards the Earth. Now here is the kicker--Superman tries repeatedly to stop the comet but it's too big and powerful. So, he must do something fast to fix that darned device and hope that it can be used to reverse the path of the object.As I noticed in several of these cartoons, Superman is NOT all-powerful. He gets knocked down, hurt and overwhelmed from time to time. I actually like this as it added to the suspense. I also loved when the day was saved and Lois THOUGHT she was kissing Superman and it turned out to be Clark (well, at least it was Clark dressed as his alter ego, Clark Kent). Well done.

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 sixth in the Superman series is about a scientist's creation, the magnetic telescope, which can draw comets to Earth. After an initial disaster, where the scientist causes a comet to crash into town before rolling into the sea, the police of Metropolis suggest this guy take a beat before proceeding. The scientist, however, is undeterred and proceeds to draw another comet to Earth. The police interfere and disrupt the telescope's generator, causing the power to go out. Now there's a comet hurtling towards Metropolis with no way to stop it. Superman does his super best but it's no use. He manages to restart the generator and then, in one of the greatest scenes from the entire Fleischer Superman series, he holds together two cut ends of wire and allows his own body to conduct the electric current needed to power the telescope.A fun, fast-paced entry in the series. The image of Superman with electricity coursing through his body arm-to-arm is pretty cool, as is the cute scene where Lois kisses Clark in the dark, thinking he is Superman.

Magnetic Telescope, The (1942) ** 1/2 (out of 4)A scientist, trying to do good, creates a large magnet, which goes out of control after police mess with it. Soon the magnet is bringing meteors crashing to Earth of course only Superman can save the day. Middle-ground animation isn't a classic but it is mildly entertaining even though we're following the same story structure from the previous films. I've heard a few people say that Lois' character was wonderfully written in this series but I have to disagree as she's really coming off as a narrow-minded fool who just constantly does dumb things to get herself in trouble to where Superman must save her. The animation is fairly impressive this time out with the meteor shower being the highlight. I still haven't been overly impressed with this series even though this is only the sixth one.