Superman (1941 Cartoons) Episode: The Underground World




 * " It's really a great story, Lois. No one would ever believe it."
 * --Perry White

Episode: The Underground World Airdate: 1943 Production Studio: Famous Studios Animation: Nicholas Tafuri and Reuben Grossman Writer: Jay Morton Musical Arrangement: Sammy Timberg Director: Seymour Kneitel

Synopsis
Principal Characters:
 * Superman
 * Lois Lane

Main villain(s):
 * Bird-People

Other Characters:
 * Perry White

Locations:
 * Metropolis
 * Daily Planet


 * Henderson Caverns

Items:
 * None

Summary: A man named Professor Henderson arrives at the Daily Planet. Perry calls Clark and Lois into his office where the Professor shows them a map of an ancient underground series of caves. He tells them that forty years ago, his father disappeared inside what has now become known as the Henderson Caverns. He intends on mounting a search expedition and offers the Daily Planet exclusive rights to the story. Perry gives Clark and Lois the assignment and they arrange to meet with Professor Henderson later.

The group packs several cases of blasting explosives onto two small rowboats and set sail down a winding river. Clark pilots his own boat, while the Professor and Lois Lane take the lead. Henderson's ship travels deep into the caverns, but they disappear behind a streaming waterfall.

Emerging into a long, dark cavern on the other side, they discover a tribe of winged Bird-People. The Bird-People take Lois and the Professor prisoner and bring them before their king. Above the king’s throne rests a giant statue, which bears a strong resemblance to Henderson’s missing father.

Clark meanwhile, has lost track of Lois and the Professor and continues to paddle his boat down the river. As he navigates the twisting caverns, he calls Lois' name out, but no one responds. He continues for several minutes before realizing that Lois must be in some sort of trouble. Clark eventually discovers the larger cavern behind the waterfall and ventures into it.

Inside, he discovers that the Bird-People have strapped Lois and Professor Henderson to a metal pole and are in the process of lowering them into a pool of molten lava. Clark ducks behind a stalagmite and quickly changes into Superman. Before the Bird-People can complete their ritual sacrifice, Superman flies into the thick of things and begins tackling the avian warriors. One of them attempts to impale Superman with his spear, but the weapon bounces harmlessly off of the Man of Steel's chest. He punches his way through several more warriors until he scoops Lois and the Professor up in his arms. He flies them out of the cavern and then uses Henderson’s blasting charges to seal the cavern off. The Bird-People are now trapped in their native habitat for all time.

Back at the Daily Planet, Lois writes up her story and presents it to Perry White. Perry tells her that it is a well-written piece – just as he proceeds to light it on fire. Regrettably, no one would ever believe such a wild story.

Trivia

 * The Bird-People from this episode bear a strong resemblance to the Feitherans, a race of Avian hominids recently seen in the pages of JSA.

Related Episodes

 * None