Max Fleischer (1883–1972) was a pioneering animator, inventor, and film producer best known for creating iconic characters like Betty Boop, Koko the Clown, and bringing Popeye and Superman to the screen.
As the founder of Fleischer Studios, he developed groundbreaking animation techniques, including the Rotoscope, which allowed for more fluid and lifelike motion in cartoons. His studio rivaled Disney in the 1930s, producing innovative and often surreal cartoons with a distinctive, adult-tinged style.
However, financial struggles and studio conflicts led to Paramount taking control of his company in the early 1940s. Despite this, Fleischer’s influence on animation remains significant, shaping the industry’s development and inspiring future generations.
Watch 20 of his classic early cartoons use ☰ to change cartoon
Betty Boop Was Originally a Dog – In her earliest appearances (starting in 1930’s Dizzy Dishes), Betty Boop was an anthropomorphic poodle with dog-like ears. Over time, she evolved into the fully human, flapper-inspired character we know today.
Fleischer’s Superman Cartoons Were Revolutionary – The Superman series (1941–1943) featured cinematic visuals, fluid animation, and dramatic storytelling that set a new standard for animation. It was also one of the most expensive cartoon series of its time, with budgets that far exceeded typical animated shorts.
They Created the First Sound Cartoon Before Disney – In 1924, Fleischer Studios produced Oh Mabel, a short featuring synchronized sound using the DeForest Phonofilm system—four years before Disney’s Steamboat Willie. However, it didn’t gain the same historical recognition.
They Made the First Animated Feature with 3D Sets – Mr. Bug Goes to Town (1941), also known as Hoppity Goes to Town, was one of the first animated films to use a technique called the Stereo-Optical Process, where miniature 3D sets were filmed to create depth, years before Disney experimented with similar effects.
Popeye’s First Cartoon Wasn’t About Him – Popeye debuted in the 1933 Fleischer cartoon Popeye the Sailor, but it was technically a Betty Boop cartoon. Betty only made a brief appearance, but the short successfully launched Popeye’s legendary film career.
Popeye's debuted in the 1933 Fleischer cartoon Popeye the Sailor