"POPEYE THE SAILOR: VOL. 3, 1941-1943"
DVD Review
by Kevin Carr
| MOVIE: **** (out of 5 stars)
DVD EXPERIENCE: **** (out of 5 stars) Studio: Warner Bros. Own it on November 4 Back to DVD Review Home |  |
In the extra features of “Popeye the Sailor: Volume Three, 1941-1943,” a historian points out that in the early 1940s, the Popeye cartoons were as popular – if not more – than Superman cartoons. It was one of the biggest personality cartoons of the day, predating other favorites like Tom & Jerry, Mickey Mouse and the Looney Tunes.
This makes sense, and as you look at even the contemporary Popeye cartoons, you’ll see a throwback to the earlier part of last century. There’s something timeless about Popeye and his antics. There’s also something wholly American, albeit unrefined and a bit rustic. But that’s what makes Popeye so perfect... his imperfections.
Popeye was created in the late 20s by E.C. Segar, and by the time World War II was in full swing, Popeye was an American icon. A new volume of the original Paramount cartoons have been collected in “Popeye the Sailor: Volume Three, 1941-1943.”
This series of 32 short films is a pivotal time for the famous sailor. While he’s a man of the sea, Popeye was originally not a military man. However, with the Americans entering World War II, the folks at Paramount and King Features Syndicate decided to have him enlist in the Navy. His outfit was changed to the traditional enlisted uniform, and he even was given a level or relatability to Bluto, who also joined up with Uncle Sam.
All 32 of these cartoons are in black-and-white, which was standard for the day. The animation still has the feel of the 30s and 40s with the rubbery arms and flexible characters. However, with as timeless as Popeye is, he comes across as loveable as he does in the modern sense.
Of course, being that these shorts were made in the 40s, there are certain racial stereotypes (usually dealing with the Japanese soldiers) and sexist remarks (often belittling Olive Oyl) that normally are frowned up. Like I saw with the old Tom & Jerry cartoons, also available through Warner Bros., it’s great to see these shorts aren’t being buried for being politically incorrect. Even the scathing “You’re a Sap, Mr. Jap,” in which Popeye looks normal against the caricature of the Japanese stereotype, is presented in its full historical context.
We also see in these shorts Popeye’s relationship with his four nephews, and we are even given a small explanation these relationships by some historians in the special features. It’s clearly a way for Popeye to compete with Donald Duck’s nephews, which pushed little Swee’Pea and Eugene the Jeep from the spotlight.
To enhance the historical significance of this volume, the DVDs come with animator and historian commentaries on select episodes. There’s also an insightful documentary called “Forging the Frame: The Roots of Animation, 1921-1930,” which explains how the characters in this volume were inspired by their earlier counterparts.
Because Max Fleisher was responsible for these Popeye cartoons, his career is highlighted with his work on the “Out of the Inkwell” shorts from the silent era, featuring Fleisher himself at odds with a cartoon clown. Additional “popumentaries” include a spotlight on artist Myron Waldman, Popeye’s enlistment in the Navy and a look at his four nephews, Pipeye, Pupeye, Poopeye and Peepeye.
Like other classic cartoons released in these 3 1/2-hour volumes, “Popeye the Sailor: Volume Three, 1941-1943” is entirely entertaining in today’s world. But they also serve as important historical references to the development of animation in popular culture.
