Popeye the Sailor filmography (Famous Studios)
before-content-x4
1942[edit]
George Germanetti
Carl Meyer
- First cartoon by Famous Studios
- Does not have the “Famous Studios” branding in the opening segment
- No longer shown on American television due to World War II ethnic stereotyping of Japanese people and a scene involving a Japanese Naval Officer committing suicide by eating firecrackers and drinking gasoline
- First cartoon directed by Dan Gordon
Abner Kneitel
Jack Mercer
- Does not have the “Famous Studios” branding in the opening segment
- The last version of the opening credits sequence from the last Fleischer Studios shorts is used, minus the “A Max Fleischer Cartoon” credit
- First cartoon directed by Isadore Sparber
- Dave Barry voices Bluto, as well as in A Hull of a Mess[2]
- Starting with this cartoon, Bluto was redesigned to appear more muscular compared to his previous appearances
- Final entry of the 1941-42 film season.
Joe Oriolo
Jack Mercer
- First appearance of the “Famous Studios” branding in the opening segment.
- First appearance of the opening segment with Popeye’s head poking out of a porthole and tooting his pipe. The animation in this segment was the basis for the “spinning star” opening credits, lasting from Her Honor the Mare until the final cartoon in 1957, Spooky Swabs.
- First entry of the 1942-43 film season.
Ben Solomon
- No longer shown on American television due to World War II ethnic stereotyping of Japanese people
- First cartoon directed by Seymour Kneitel
George Germanetti
Jack Mercer
- The ending gag is cut from a.a.p. prints due to the involvement of the Paramount logo
- In the public domain in the United States
1943[edit]
Abner Kneitel
- Does not air on American television outside of any scheduled airings on The Popeye Show due to World War II content involving Nazi stereotypes
- First cartoon where Popeye sings his full theme song when he appears since Popeye the Sailor Meets Sindbad the Sailor (1936)
- Final cartoon with “anchor” designed ending.
Ben Solomon
- An edited-for-TV version is known to exist[citation needed]
- Dave Barry voices Bluto[2]
- No longer shown on American television due to World War II ethnic stereotyping of Nazis and Japanese people
Abner Kneitel
- Dave Barry voices Bluto[2]
- Final black and white cartoon featuring Bluto.
John Walworth
- Some TV versions are edited to remove anti-Japanese dialogue spoken by Popeye’s nephews
- Twinkletoes the Carrier Pigeon from the Fleischer Studios film Gulliver’s Travels appears.
Tom Golden
Jack Ward
- A parody of Jack and the Beanstalk
John Walworth
- The ending gag is cut from a.a.p. prints due to the involvement of the Paramount logo. This gag was recreated for airing on The Popeye Show and for the 2008 DVD release
- First cartoon to feature the voice of Gilbert Mack (as Billy the Kid[3])
- Breaks the fourth wall
Abner Kneitel
- The first of three cartoons to feature Popeye’s Navy buddy, Shorty (voiced by Gilbert Mack[3])
- Except for uncut airings on The Popeye Show, the ending gag is usually cut from TV airings such as TBS and Boomerang in the United States due to its content suggesting murder, though the “murder” scene was in the dark
- This is the final cartoon to be double feature with Superman as it had ended its film series
Tom Golden
- All Voices are provided by Jack Mercer[4]
Otto Feuer
Jack Ward
- Margie Hines voices Olive Oyl
- All Other Voices are provided by Jack Mercer
- Final black-and-white cartoon in the Popeye film series[5]
- The booing gag was reused by Popeye in Popeye’s Premiere.
- The redrawn print incorrectly uses the “Max Fleischer” title card of Popeye The Sailor Man.
- Final entry of the 1942-43 film season.
Ben Solomon
Jack Ward
- All Voices are provided by Jack Mercer
- First regular Popeye the Sailor series entry in Technicolor[6] (three two-reel Technicolor Popeye Color Specials were produced by Fleischer in the 1930s); however, two new sister film series Noveltoons and Little Lulu were debuted as well, part of 1943-44 season.
- First of four cartoons where Popeye’s sailor outfit is blue
- First use of the “spinning star” opening credits
- First entry of the 1943-44 film season.
Abner Kneitel
- The second appearance of Shorty. Here, he is voiced by Arnold Stang[7] rather than Gilbert Mack
- Final appearance of Margie Hines as the voice of Olive Oyl
- A restored version aired on The Popeye Show
- The last Popeye cartoon to use the Western Electric “Noiseless Recording” sound system
1944[edit]
Ben Solomon
Jack Ward
- First of two cartoons to use special opening credits and introductory music
- The first Popeye cartoon to use the RCA Photophone sound system
- The last Popeye cartoon produced at the Fleischer/Famous studio in Miami, Florida. Famous moved to New York City (the original home of Fleischer Studios) in late 1943.
- A restored version was prepared for The Popeye Show, but the show was cancelled before it could air
- Some TV airings delete Popeye’s “sambo dancer” line
- Final appearance of Dave Barry as the voice of Bluto[2]
Morey Reden
Jack Ward
- Color remake of the Fleischer Studios short Shoein’ Hosses
- The first Popeye cartoon produced after Famous Studios moved back to New York
- First appearance of Mae Questel as the voice of Olive Oyl since 1938’s A Date to Skate
- First appearance of Jackson Beck as the voice of Bluto. Beck would be the permanent voice for Bluto until The All-New Popeye Hour in 1978.
- A restored version aired on The Popeye Show
Joe Oriolo
Dave Fleischer (uncredited, archival)
William Henning
Tom Golden
Jack Ward
- A restored version aired on The Popeye Show
Ben Solomon
- Final film appearance of Shorty.
- A restored version aired on The Popeye Show
- Final cartoon directed by Dan Gordon
- Semi-remake of the Fleischer short Cops is Always Right
- Although Olive Oyl appears in this cartoon, she doesn’t speak at all.
- Final entry of the 1943-44 film season.
Ben Solomon
Otto Messmer
1945[edit]
Morey Reden
- First appearance of the Paramount mountain with a red color scheme and solid blue sky in the opening[8]
- No longer shown on American television due to Black African native stereotyping
Tom Golden
John Walworth
Carl Meyer
- Second of two cartoons to use special opening credits and introductory music
- A restored version aired on The Popeye Show
- Two similar men from Little Lulu appeared in the beginning of this cartoon.
Ben Solomon
Irving Dressler
- This is the first of the several cartoons where Mercer was unavailable to voice Popeye; however, this is the first and only time that Mae Questel provides Popeye’s voice.[9][10][11]
- Original Paramount version restored and distributed by Turner
- Despite the fact that Popeye and Bluto are wearing blue pants, it’s possible that their Navy sailor suits are blue.
John Gentilella
Irving Dressler
- First time that Floyd Buckley (the voice of Popeye on the Popeye radio program) provides Popeye’s voice since 1935’s Be Kind to “Aminals”.[12]
- A color remake of the Fleischer Studios short Hospitaliky
Lou Zukor
Otto Messmer
- The last time Jack Mercer voices Popeye until 1946’s Rocket to Mars
- An early appearance of the newly-designed Olive Oyl.
- Final Popeye cartoon produced and released during World War II.
- Final entry of the 1944-45 film season.
1946[edit]
Martin Taras
Carl Meyer
- First Popeye short to have a separate opening title card for the “A Famous Studios Production” credit
- Floyd Buckley voices Popeye[12]
- Color remake of the Max Fleischer short The House Builder-Upper
- First entry of the 1945-46 film season.
Ben Solomon
Carl Meyer
- Floyd Buckley voices Popeye[12]
- The newly-designed Olive Oyl appears in the opening credits; however, she retains her old style in the cartoon.
- First cartoon directed by Bill Tytla
John Gentilella
George Hill
William Henning
Otto Messmer
- The first Popeye cartoon produced in Cinecolor
- Original titles were retained in a.a.p. TV syndication print
- Final short in which Floyd Buckley voices Popeye[12]
- Semi-remake of the Fleischer shorts Dizzy Divers and Stealin’ Ain’t Honest
- Bluto reverts to his Fleischer-era character design for this cartoon only
John Gentillela
Otto Messmer
- Produced in Cinecolor
- Jack Mercer and Harry Foster Welch both voice Popeye (Mercer does 3/4 of this cartoon; Welch takes over near the end)[12][13]
- Some TV versions are edited to remove a Japanese stereotype
- Original Paramount version restored and distributed by Turner. However, syndicated TV airings on Boomerang have an editing error on the opening titles.
- Early appearance of the newly-designed Olive Oyl
Martin Taras
Joe Stultz
- Harry Foster Welch voices Popeye[12][13]
Nick Tafuri
Jack Ward
- Harry Foster Welch voices Popeye[12][13]
- First regular appearance of the newly-designed Olive Oyl
- Some TV versions are edited to remove a Black stereotype
George Germanetti
Larry Riley
- Harry Foster Welch voices Popeye[12][13]
- An edited-for-TV version is known to exist
- Although uncredited, Jim Tyer worked on this short
- Herman the Mouse makes a cameo appearance
- No longer shown on American television due to Black African native stereotyping
- Final entry of the 1945-46 film season.
1947[edit]
Tom Golden
Carl Meyer
- Produced in Cinecolor
- Final short in which Harry Foster Welch voices Popeye[12][13]
- Original Paramount version restored and distributed by Turner
- First entry of the 1946-47 film season.
George Germanetti
Larry Riley
- First time Jack Mercer voices Popeye since 1946’s Rocket to Mars. Mercer voices Popeye in all cartoons from here onward
Martin Taras
Jack Ward
- All prints in circulation use an edited print which cuts out the scene where Popeye transitions from being in drag into having a sailor suit, presumably due to nudity. This clip has been edited out since the original theatrical showing in 1947. This clip is presumed lost or destroyed.
- The French pirate captain was named after Pierre le Grand
Frank Endres
Carl Meyer
- Although uncredited, Jim Tyer worked on this short
John Gentilella
Carl Meyer
- Although uncredited, this is the last Popeye cartoon on which animator Jim Tyer worked on before leaving to join the Terrytoons studio
- Some TV versions are edited to remove a Black stereotype and Bluto in blackface
- King Little from the Fleischer Studios film Gulliver’s Travels appears as the jousting announcer.
- Final entry of the 1946-47 film season.
Morey Reden
- First entry of the 1947-48 film season.
Martin Taras
Jack Ward
- Produced in Cinecolor
- Dave Tendlar’s animation crew got the credit for animation, but this cartoon was actually animated by Tom Johnson’s crew.
- Original Paramount version restored and distributed by Turner
1948[edit]
John Gentilella
Els Barthen
Larry Riley
- Additional Voices are provided by Sid Raymond
- Final Popeye cartoon produced in Cinecolor[14]
- Color remake of the Fleischer Studios short Betty Boop for President
- Little Audrey makes a cameo appearance in Popeye’s unconscious dream sequence. This is the second appearance she has been in a Famous Studios cartoon, the first being the Noveltoon Santa’s Surprise. She later appeared in more Noveltoons, billed as her own cartoon series. Prior to that scene, the dog who appears in this cartoon is the same dog that appears in the final Little Lulu cartoon, The Dog Show-Off. Both cartoons were double feature.
- The ending music for most a.a.p.-distributed Famous Studios Popeye shorts was sourced from this cartoon.
- Original Paramount version restored and distributed by Turner
William Henning
Jack Mercer
- The first Popeye cartoon produced in Polacolor
- Original Paramount titles restored and distributed by Turner
- Doesn’t air on American television outside of any scheduled airings on The Popeye Show because of Native American stereotyping and the transracial appearance of Olive Oyl.
Morey Reden
Jack Mercer
- Produced in Polacolor
- Opening titles revised to shorten the “Sailor’s Hornpipe” portion of the theme
Tom Moore
- Produced in Polacolor
- Clouds added behind the Paramount mountain in the titles
- Original titles were retained in a.a.p. TV syndication print
George Rufle
I. Klein
- Produced in Polacolor
- Original titles were retained in a.a.p. TV syndication print
Tom Moore
Larz Bourne
- Compilation film, uses clips (with original soundtracks) from The Anvil Chorus Girl, Pop-Pie a La Mode and She-Sick Sailors
- Some TV versions are edited to remove the clip from Pop-Pie a La Mode, which is no longer aired in America.
- Bluto only appears in two of the archival clips.
- Although not appearing in person, this is Wimpy’s first mention since 1940’s Onion Pacific.
Martin Taras
Jack Mercer
- Produced in Polacolor
- Final entry of the 1947-48 film season.
Frank Endres
Tom Golden
- Produced in Polacolor
- Original Paramount version restored and distributed by Turner
- A parody of Robin Hood
- First entry of the 1948-49 film season.
John Gentilella
Larry Riley
- Produced in Polacolor
- Original Paramount version restored and distributed by Turner
1949[edit]
John Gentilella
I. Klein
Dave Fleischer (uncredited, archival)
- Compilation film, mostly reused footage from the Fleischer two-reeler Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp with new wrap-around animation and a new soundtrack
George Rufle
Jack Mercer
Bill Hudson
- Final Popeye cartoon produced in Polacolor
George Rufle
Jack Mercer
- All cartoons produced in Technicolor from now on
- A color remake of the Fleischer short The “Hyp-Nut-Tist”
- A similar setting from Popeye’s Premiere appears in this cartoon.
Steve Muffatti
Jack Mercer
Frank Endres
- Final entry of the 1948-49 film season.
John Gentilella
Jack Mercer
- Third of four cartoons where Popeye’s sailor outfit is blue
- A color remake of the Fleischer Studios short Protek the Weakerist
- First entry of the 1949-50 film season.
Frank Endres
- A color remake of the Fleischer short Flies Ain’t Human
- Final Popeye and Famous Studios cartoon released in the 1940s
1950[edit]
William Henning
- Live-Action (Black & White) & Animation (Color) Hybrid[17]
- Narrated by Jackson Beck[16]
- Jackson Beck also voices Bluto[15] and TV Newscaster[16]
- Jack Mercer voices Popeye
- Cecil Roy voices Boy in Movie Theater[15]
- Tom Ewell appears on-screen as Man in Audience[17]
- First Popeye cartoon released in the 1950s
John Gentilella
Jack Mercer
- Jack Mercer voices Popeye
- Mae Questel voices Olive Oyl
- Jackson Beck voices Bluto[18]
- Color remake of the Fleischer Studios short Vim, Vigor and Vitaliky[19]
Frank Endres
Els Barthen
Larry Riley
- Jack Mercer voices Popeye
- Mae Questel voices Olive Oyl
- Jackson Beck voices Life Guard[20]
Harvey Patterson
Jack Mercer
George Rufle
Els Barthen
Dave Fleischer (uncredited, archival)
- All Other Voices are provided by Jack Mercer
- Mae Questel voices Olive Oyl
- Jackson Beck voices Abu Hassan
- Sid Raymond voices Ali, Third Thief[21]
- Compilation film, mostly reused footage from the Fleischer two-reeler Popeye the Sailor Meets Ali Baba’s Forty Thieves with new wraparound animation and dubbing voices[21][22]
- First film appearance of Wimpy since 1940’s Onion Pacific
- One of two Famous cartoons where Popeye appears in his comic strip uniform
- This is the first of six cartoons where Popeye’s nephews appeared with Bluto (Abu Hassan), and the first of two cartoons where Wimpy and Popeye’s nephews appeared together.
Wm. B. Pattengill
Jack Mercer
- First film appearance of Swee’Pea since 1942’s Baby Wants a Bottleship. The design for Swee’Pea is different than the Fleischer Studios version.
- A color remake of the Fleischer Studios short With Little Swee’Pea
John Gentilella
Jack Mercer
William Henning
- Color shot-for-shot remake of Me Musical Nephews
- Fourth and final cartoon where Popeye’s sailor outfit is blue
- The ending gag is cut from a.a.p. prints due to the involvement of the Paramount logo
Frank Endres
1951[edit]
John Gentilella
Jack Mercer
- This short has gained some subliminal advertising from a grocery store chain A&P for its use of a sped-up voice clip used for 2 squirrels.[23]
John Gentilella
Jack Mercer
George Germanetti
Jack Mercer
- The ending gag is cut from a.a.p. prints due to the involvement of the Paramount logo
- Original Paramount version restored and distributed by Turner
- Semi-remake of the Fleischer short I-Ski Love-Ski You-Ski
- Popeye permanently gains teeth from here on out.
Bill Hudson
George Germanetti
Jack Mercer
- Timothy Turkey makes a guest appearance
George Germanetti
- Alternated rendition of the Popeye theme is utilized; this version would be used for all remaining Popeye theatricals
Frank Endres
- Some TV versions are edited to remove a Black stereotype
1952[edit]
Frank Endres
- Poopdeck Pappy’s first film appearance since 1941’s Pest Pilot. This is the first of three appearances he would make in the Famous shorts.
- Semi-remake of the Fleischer Studios short Goonland
- No longer shown on American television due to Black African native stereotyping
George Germanetti
Jack Mercer
- This is the second of six cartoons where Popeye’s nephews appeared with Bluto.
John Gentilella
Jack Mercer
George Germanetti
- Reused footage from Tar with a Star and I’ll Be Skiing Ya
Frank Endres
John Gentilella
Jack Mercer
- This is the third of six cartoons where Popeye’s nephews appeared with Bluto.
George Germanetti
- This short has gained some infamy for its use of a sped-up voice clip used for the mouse, which includes swearing.[24]
- The mouse is voiced by Isadore Sparber.
- The mouse eats the spinach and triumphs over Popeye
- In the public domain in the United States
William Henning
Dave Fleischer (uncredited, archival)
- Mostly reused footage from the Fleischer two-reeler Popeye the Sailor Meets Sindbad the Sailor with new wraparound animation and a new soundtrack
- In the public domain in the United States
- A restored original print is available on some PD compilations
- Second of two Famous cartoons where Popeye appears in his comic strip uniform
- Final cartoon directed by Dave Fleischer
- This is the fourth of six cartoons where Popeye’s nephews appeared with Bluto (Sinbad), and the second of two cartoons where Wimpy and Popeye’s nephews appeared together.
1953[edit]
Wm. B. Pattengill
- Poopdeck Pappy’s second appearance in a Famous cartoon. This time he appears as Popeye’s fairy godfather.
- In the public domain in the United States
- A parody of the fairy tale Cinderella
Frank Endres
Jack Mercer
Frank Endres
Jack Mercer
John Gentilella
Jack Mercer
George Germanetti
Jack Mercer
- The final appearance of Poopdeck Pappy in a Famous cartoon. This time, he is a younger version in a flashback sequence
Frank Endres
Jack Mercer
- A color remake of the Fleischer Studios short The Two-Alarm Fire
George Germanetti
Wm. B. Pattengill
Anton Loeb
Jack Mercer
- Originally made in 3D
- One of two Paramount cartoons filmed in 3D
- This is the only 3D Popeye cartoon, the other Famous Studios animated theatrical short to be made in 3D was the Casper cartoon Boo Moon.
- The ending gag is cut from a.a.p. prints due to the use of the Paramount logo
- A print with original titles aired on The Popeye Show
- A fully restored 3D print is in circulation for screening at 3D film events
- A semi-remake of Rocket to Mars
John Gentilella
- A color remake of the Fleischer Studios short A Clean Shaven Man
- 200th Popeye cartoon.
1954[edit]
Bill Hudson
Jack Mercer
- In the public domain in the United States
- Semi-remake of the Fleischer short Plumbin is a ‘Pipe’
- Copyright is marked as 1953 on the title card, due to this cartoon being released on New Year’s Day in 1954.
George Germanetti
- Reused footage from Tops in the Big Top and Rodeo Romeo
- In the public domain in the United States
Frank Endres
- In the public domain in the United States
- Some restored versions on public domain DVDs use the original soundtrack.
John Gentilella
- Semi-remake of the Fleischer Studios short Wimmin Is a Myskery
- In the public domain in the United States
George Germanetti
- In the public domain in the United States
- This is the fifth of six cartoons where Popeye’s nephews appeared with Bluto.
Wm. B. Pattengill
- Semi-remake of the Fleischer short Ghosks is the Bunk
- In the public domain in the United States
Frank Endres
- In the public domain in the United States
- Final entry of the 1953-54 film season.
John Gentilella
- In the public domain in the United States
- To make the film’s title safe for emerging widescreen theatres, the Paramount mountain was completely redrawn for this cartoon. Along with other Famous Studios cartoons after Herman and Katnip’s Rail-Rodents, the new logo remains permanent for all remaining shorts to the end of the series.
- First entry of the 1954-55 film season.
1955[edit]
William Henning
- In the public domain in the United States
- a.a.p. print mistakenly leaves in Famous Studios credit with the Paramount logo in the background.
Wm. B. Pattengill
- Last film appearance of Swee’Pea
Frank Endres
- Semi-remake of the Fleischer Studios short Customers Wanted
- Reused footage from Silly Hillbilly, Wotta Knight, and The Fistic Mystic
- Some TV versions are edited to remove Black stereotypes that originally appeared in the reused footage from Wotta Knight
John Gentilella
Frank Endres
John Gentilella
- Color remake of the Fleischer Studios short Wimmin Hadn’t Oughta Drive
- The last cartoon produced before the cartoons were sold to a.a.p. for television. All following entries only exist with original titles
- Final entry of the 1954-55 film season.
Wm. B. Pattengill
- This is the sixth and final cartoon where Popeye’s nephews appear with Bluto.
- First entry of the 1955-56 film season.
- From this entry onward, all remaining Popeye shorts retain their original Paramount titles
Frank Endres
George Germanetti
1956[edit]
John Gentilella
- Latest Popeye short not to be in the public domain. All remaining shorts to the end of the series are in the public domain
- Possum Pearl had her own cartoon short the following year
- This cartoon was a role-reversal, in which Olive Oyl was the protagonist who had to rescue Popeye.
Frank Endres
- In the public domain in the United States
John Gentilella
- In the public domain in the United States
- A semi-remake of Punch and Judo
Wm. B. Pattengill
- Reused footage from The Farmer and the Belle, How Green Is My Spinach, and A Balmy Swami
- In the public domain in the United States
Thomas Moore
- In the public domain in the United States
- The only Popeye cartoon to be directed by Dave Tendlar
- Final entry of the 1955-56 film season.
Wm. B. Pattengill
- In the public domain in the United States
- First entry of the 1956-57 film season.
Frank Endres
- In the public domain in the United States
Wm. B. Pattengill
- Color remake of the Fleischer Studios short Let’s Get Movin’
- In the public domain in the United States
1957[edit]
Frank Endres
- Last Popeye cartoon to bear the name “Famous Studios” in the credits before the studio became Paramount Cartoon Studios
- In the public domain in the United States
Wm. B. Pattengill
- Reused footage from Alpine for You and Quick on the Vigor
- First Popeye cartoon released under Paramount Cartoon Studios
- In the public domain in the United States
Frank Endres
- Final theatrical film appearance of Popeye’s nephews
- In the public domain in the United States
Frank Endres
- Final theatrical film appearances of Bluto and Wimpy
- In the public domain in the United States
Frank Endres
- Final theatrical film appearances of Popeye and Olive Oyl
- In the public domain in the United States
- Some of the ghosts from Casper the Friendly Ghost appear in this cartoon.
- Semi-remake of Shiver Me Timbers!
- Final cartoon directed by Isadore Sparber
- Final entry of the 1956-57 film season.
after-content-x4
Recent Comments