'The Electric Earthquake'
This is one of the many famous Max Fleischer short cartoons made in the early 1940s. Yes, they were made in a different era than today. Even so, this one is...interesting. Read on.
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An American Indian man shows up at the Daily Planet building and gives a list of demands. Basically, he says that the island of Manhattan belongs to his people. In these ones, you see, they are not in Metropolis. Why? Good question. Anyhow, he threatens dire consequences for not heeding his demands. They mostly blow him off and he leaves in a huff.
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Lois, however, is suspicious and follows the man. He drives off in a motorboat and goes down a mysterious elevator. She manages to follow him and arrives him in time to see him behind a giant machine. The man was apparently a scientist and has a device to back up his threats. With the throw of an ominous switch, he sends electric current through gigantic power lines that head towards the city. This causes a massive earthquake to occur...somehow. Don't bother looking for a clear explanation.
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So yeah, the villain is an Indian who wants his land back that was wrongfully stolen from him. That is a tad bit offensive on a couple of levels. Does it make the whole idea of land restoration wrong? It is not stated directly, but even the implication of it is pretty disturbing. On the positive side, the guy was not a drunk. Thank Heaven for little miracles, I guess.
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This is just the beginning of another ancillary addition to the site. Up next, a look at Hollywood's biggest case of 'yellow face.' Stay tuned...
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