Max Fleischer News Sketches

This short animated film, produced in 1944 by Max Fleischer, offers a whimsical take on news stories sourced from Associated Press wire reports. Filmed in black-and-white, it features Fleischer himself at a desk, sketching live as a ticker tape machine clatters out bizarre headlines. With his signature wit, he brings oddball tales to life—perhaps a runaway cow in Texas or a Florida man’s quirky invention—using pen and ink to animate the scenes in real-time. The silent reel, likely under 10 minutes, blends his pioneering rotoscope style with hand-drawn flair, turning mundane news into surreal, humorous vignettes. A product of Fleischer’s post-studio years after leaving Paramount, it reflects his enduring passion for animation and storytelling, possibly screened at local clubs or lectures. A delightful, lesser-known gem from a cartoon legend, it captures 1940s quirks with timeless charm.