Jungle Drums

"Jungle Drums" is probably the weirdest and most contrived Superman cartoon from the Fleischer Brothers. While having Superman battling the Nazis is not unusual, so much about this cartoon is just plain weird.

It begins with Lois and a pilot having their plan knocked out of the sky by some weird device that looks like a temple in the jungle! However, it's actually a Nazi facility and all their minions are dark-skinned natives. Why they are in the middle of the jungle and how this will benefit them in the war is anyone's guess!! A bit later, Clark just happens to fly overhead in a plane and spots the wreckage of the previous plane--so he goes to investigate. However, he has to fight not only the local savages but Nazis in weird white hooded robes (did they team up with the Klan?!). Here's the kicker. After Superman saves the day once again, the cartoon ends with Hitler sitting at home listening to broadcasts telling about this latest Allied victory! Strange but enjoyable, it does lose a point or two because the plot is so ridiculous--even for a superhero cartoon.