the Fleischer Photo gallery
This selection of photos, drawings, newspaper clippings and other imagery is presented courtesy of the Fleischer Studios family collection. Some of the photos have been in private ownership for many decades; we are delighted to share them with you.
Max Fleischer on bike and brother, Charlie, standing. They were known in their neighborhood doing bike tricks. Circa 1893. The Fleischer Family Collection
Max Fleischer, working. On the bottom of his left shoe he’s written the word ‘IT.’ Likely early 1900′s. Collection: The Fleischer Family Collection
Max and Essie Fleischer., probably around the time of their marriage in 1905. Max and Essie were childhood sweethearts from the age of twelve when Essie’s family moved to Max's Brooklyn neighborhood. The Fleischer Family Collection
Max Fleischer seated on far right, wife Essie and daughter Ruth directly behind him, 1910. Driver and other passengers unknown. The Fleischer Family Collection
Max at the beach with daughter, Ruth. photo undated. The Fleischer Family Collection
Left to right: daughter Ruth, wife Essie, son Dick, Max Fleischer. c. 1919. The Fleischer Family Collection
Joe Fleischer is seated in the middle with his wife Molly to his right, and father Wilhelm Fleischer on his left. Joe was a master electrician in addition to overseeing general maintenance. 1930. Collection: Fleischer Studios
Left to Right: Charles Schettler (camera department), Lou Fleischer (head of the music department), and Max Fleischer (on box), preparing a Bouncing Ball film. Undated, possibly early 1930′s. The Fleischer Family Collection
Max Fleischer (center) talking to his daughter, Ruth (wearing hat). Caption on reverse reads “Max Fleischer and a group of the prettiest chorus girls in New York, all of whom are engaged for his new series of two reel comedies, “Carrie of the Chorus.” Circa 1923/4. Ruth appeared as Carrie’s best friend. The Fleischer Family Collection
Fleischer Studios staff bachelor dinner for Bachelor dinner for Dave Tendlar (near the middle with mustache and glasses), March 4, 1933. Seymour Kneitel is seated right foreground, Izzy Sparber standing in rear third from left, Myron Waldman standing in same row, third from right. The Fleischer Family Collection
A bachelor dinner for Seymour Kneitel with Fleischer Studio staff. Likely Dec. 1932, New York. Seated left to right: Max Fleischer, Seymour Kneitel and Roland Crandall. Standing: Frank Paiker, Willard Bowsky, Al Eugster, Ugo D’Orsi, Reuben Timinsky Back row: Sam Stimson, Charles Shettler, Sam Buchwald, unknown, Izzy Sparber, Tom Bonfiglio, Ralph Sommerville, and Myron Waldman. The Fleischer Family Collection
Max (seated left), son Dick (behind Max), son-in-law Seymour Kneitel (seated right) and Max’s daughter Ruth (Fleischer) Kneitel in the middle at Max’s house on 1944 Meridian Rd., Miami, Florida. 1930′s. The Fleischer Family Collection
Fleischer Studios staff on a fishing trip. L to R: John Walworth, Myron Waldman, Seymour Kneitel (rear), Dave Fleischer (crouching down), Abner Kneitel on far right. Other 2 people unidentified. The Fleischer Family Collection
William (Billy) Costello (a.k.a. Red Pepper Sam), the first voice of Popeye. He did Popeye’s voice for the first 24 Popeye films. He was also the voice of ‘Gus the Gorilla’ on the Betty Boop Radio Show. The Fleischer Family Collection
This photo was taken the day of groundbreaking for the all new Fleischer Studios, Miami, Florida. March, 1938. The Fleischer Family Collection
Dave Fleischer, youngest of the Fleischer brothers and Vice President of Fleischer Studios. Dave received credit for direction on most of the Fleischer films. The Fleischer Family Collection
During the polio epidemic, two of Max Fleischer’s grandchildren were hospitalized with polio. In 1947 while the children were patients at Knickerbocker Hospital, Max donates to the March of Dimes. Nancy Drury, holding the box, is the March of Dimes Poster Child. Behind Max, his son-in-law Seymour Kneitel holds his son Kenny. Note: Popeye can be seen on the back wall. Reverse reads: “KINDLY CREDIT PHOTO RAYMOND K. MARTIN, N.Y.” The Fleischer Family Collection
Max and unidentified person with large Popeye card. The Fleischer Family Collection
Max and Essie at his son's house in Los Angeles. Circa: 1956. The Fleischer Family Collection
In 1968, Max and his wife Essie retired to the Motion Picture Country Home in California. Max is walking on the grounds with his son, motion picture director Richard (Dick) Fleischer. The Fleischer Family Collection