Consume All Media! Superman: "The Mummy Strikes"

Joe Heath is a big fan of comic books and watching things in order. So they made this spreadsheet containing every serial, short, film, television episode, commercial, motion comic, and web series based on a comic book. Now they're watching them all. Previously, Joe wrapped up 1942. This time, Joe begins 1943 with another Superman cartoon.

Superman: "The Mummy Strikes" - 7:48 (Available on YouTube.)

Film Info

Release date: February 19th, 1943

Studio: Paramount Pictures

Written by Jay Morton

Based on the National/DC Comics character Superman created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster

Produced by Sam Buchwald

Directed by Isadore Sparber

Writer Highlights

Jay Morton (1911-2003)

Other comic book media credits: Writing the previous Superman animated shorts Terror on the Midway (1942), Showdown (1942), Destruction, Inc. (1942) & further Superman animated shorts Jungle Drums (1943) & The Underground World (1943).

Producer Highlights

Sam Buchwald (Unknown-1951)

Other comic book media credits: Previous animated Superman short Japoteurs (1942), Showdown (1942), Eleventh Hour (1942), Destruction, Inc. (1942) & further animated Superman shorts Jungle Drums (1943), The Underground World (1943), & Secret Agent (1943)

Director Highlights

Other comic book media credits: Writing previous Superman animated shorts Superman (1941), The Mechanical Monsters (1941), Billion Dollar Limited (1942), & Electric Earthquake (1942) as well as directing Showdown (1942) & Destruction, Inc. (1942)

When Egyptologist Dr. Jordan is found dead outside of King Tush’s coffin, his assistant, Jane Hogan, is accused of the murder.

Clark Kent goes to investigate, but says he’s going to the doctor to get Lois off his scent. Lois doesn’t buy it and sneakily follows him.

At the museum, Clark gets a very long and boring history lesson on King Tush. Eventually, he discovers a poison booby trap on King Tush’s coffin that must have been what actually killed Dr. Jordan.

Also, he accidentally brings King Tush’s mummy guards back to life.

The mummies punch Clark into a coffin. Superman bursts out of the coffin, fights off all the mummies, and saves Lois and the museum owner. No one questions why Superman was in the coffin that Clark fell into. Convenient.

Jane Hogan is cleared of all charges and Clark gets the scoop for once! Lois couldn’t do it because her arms are all bandaged up from the fight.

When Clark asks how she knew he was going to the museum, she says “My mummy done told me.”

Should you watch it, though? The majority of this cartoon is incredibly dry exposition. The mummies coming to life takes up barely a minute of screen time and it’s not particularly exciting. The last scene with Lois and Clark is absolutely adorable, though.

Tune in next time for another Superman cartoon: "Jungle Drums" (Available on YouTube.)

A version of this article was previously published on The Dipp.

Support Consume All Media on Patreon.