Popeye-8 Reviews

The Master: Hostages (1984) Season 1, Episode 4

When you are out-acted by Randi Brooks...David McCallum's career at low tide

[3/10 · 15 December 2020]

I admit--I only know of this episode through "Mystery Science Theater 3000"...but while the series had potential, it slipped into a cookie-cutter routine fairly quickly. But, the sad part is watching David McCallum (who frankly looks intoxicated, as he sleepwalks through his role as if he's thinking, "Did I REALLY need a paycheck this badly?") as he is out-acted by Randi Brooks, for goodness sake.

Randi Brooks--she was the nasal-voiced prostitute that Steve Martin couldn't kill in "Man With Two Brains". Yeah, her--or rather, them. She (they) actually tries in her role as a terrorist who looks like a supermodel (until overcome by Timothy Van Patten in a scene that screams, "Let's wrap this UP, people!"), while David is obviously thinking, "I used to BE somebody..." and can't be bothered to actually perform.

And then this episode features George Lazensby. Yep, the one-time James Bond plays another old spy who somehow winds up aiding Lee Van Cleef. He, also, is out-acted by Randi Brooks, but considering George's career, that is not as surprising.

And, yeah, Timothy Van Patten gets thrown through a bar window. And the worst shootout ever filmed sets up the whole episode.

There's just too much plot for a 60-minute action series to handle, with too many characters.

Have Gun - Will Travel: The Uneasy Grave (1961) Season 4, Episode 37

"Tough Woman" Handled with Respect

[8/10 · 14 April 2019]

This was my first ever episode of "Have Gun--Will Travel" after hearing abut the show's legacy...and I was suitably impressed. A strong story (with a lot of plot packed into 30 minutes) starts off with the gorgeous Pippa Scott digging a grave...and of course Paladin offers to help. It seems that the grave is for her fiance...who was murdered by a jealous lover who just happens to be the scion of the town's wealthiest family. One glitch--she's the town's prostitute, and her fiance was a "john" who fell in love with her.

Paladin is determined that the dead man get the revenge he deserves, while she seeks another revenge that goes well beyond murder.

Overall, a tight, strong, well-written and directed episode, and a solid introduction to the show for me. And as I mentioned, Pippa Scott is flat our gorgeous as the "soiled dove" who seeks retribution.

Bonanza: The Newcomers (1959) Season 1, Episode 3

Inger Stevens and Dan Blocker make this special....

[10/10 · 19 August 2012]

I didn't see this episode until some thirty years after it was produced...but for me, it is one of a precious few Bonanza episodes that I hold dear. Inger Stevens is an absolute marvel as a dying young woman who is sadly part of a criminal family that has crossed the Cartwrights--and she falls in love with Hoss when he shows her the "beauty" that hides beneath the "beast". Hoss, while acting as their protection as they return to California, proves to be her knight in shining armor--but she know that she is dying; as a result, she cannot allow him to love her, either.

Eventually, these "dying girlfriend" plot lines would become routine in Bonanza (I used to use the line "that lasted about as long as a Cartwright wife")--but this one was the first--and the most powerful. We see the gruff Hoss blossom as he clumsily but tenderly reveals his emotions, and as he tries to understand why she won't--and can't--love him in return...and we feel his pain and loss.

This episode, along with the tragic "Forever", represent the Bonanza franchise for me.

Popeye the Sailor: Popeye and the Giant (1960) Season 1, Episode 83

Welcome to the "Plan 9" of Television Animation!

[1/10 · 4 January 2009]

For decades, animation historians and fans have "slammed" the King Features Popeye series as being cheaply made, poorly directed and just plain awful.

Usually, it's because they've just watched "Popeye and the Giant".

It starts off with a decent gag--Brutus give Wimpy plant growth pills with the idea of offering him to the circus as a sideshow freak--but thanks to the cost-cutting animation butchering, it is impossible to watch. And the sound editing is just as bad, especially towards the end.

It is essentially snippets of other cartoons spliced together with only a portion of new animation used, and the snippets don't mix, as sets and costumes don't mesh, and even the animation styles are different. It is the closest to being a "Plan 9 From Outer Space" for cartooning that I've ever seen--you start watching it just to see how BAD it is.

The 1960-61 King Features Popeye series is a mixed bag, but the majority of the shorts are enjoyable and entertaining. Avoid this one if you wish to keep that opinion.

Popeye the Sailor: Hoppy Jalopy (1960) Season 1, Episode 4

Cute story, but horrid animation

[7/10 · 3 January 2009]

"Hoppy Jalopy" was one of the first "Popeye" TV shorts that was produced, so that explains the sloppy animation...but the story it self is amusing and worth a look.

Popeye decides to enter a road race featuring sleek race cars--and of course shows up in a pathetic relic of a car. Standard slapstick gags regarding Brutus the villain and racing are inter-spaced, and almost make up for the poor images produced. Finally, the spinach emerges, but Popeye gives it to his car, which transforms it into the "muscle car" of all muscle cars.

This is one of the funnier "scripted" King Features TV shorts, but sadly the animation simply didn't do it justice.

When Billie Beat Bobby (2001 TV Movie)

Surprisingly Funny/Poignant "documentary"-except for Willard...

[9/10 · 21 April 2006]

This movie (which I bought on DVD, having missed the initial TV run) takes a decidedly tongue-in-cheek approach to the legendary King/Riggs "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match...which is totally appropriate! Silver and Hunter do a magnificent job of portraying the combatants, who actually cared for each other and had no ill will towards the other. The movie does a fine job of showing that their "battle" was co-opted by others, rather than by anything they actually did (though both rode the hype to their own successes).

In addition, the movie is a hoot. King's nightmare sequences are absolutely comical, and you can actually feel Riggs' bewilderment with his "hustle" that has gone completely beyond his wildest dreams, as well as spun out of his control. And, the tennis playing is quite 'serviceable', to excuse the poorly adapted pun. Also, the historical accuracy is commendable (many forget that Riggs thumped Margaret Court before playing King--an event well adapted here, as well), and ABC file footage of the event is inter-spaced nicely.

The ONLY real criticism is the use of Fred Willard as Howard Cosell. He makes NO attempt to be anything except good ol' Fred with plastic hair (not even Howard's rug looked THAT bad), and every appearance of him on screen leaves one wondering, "WHY??" A definite drag on what was otherwise an excellent production.

Toys Will Be Toys (1949)

Pleasant "Screen Song" entry a holiday favorite

[8/10 · 22 December 2005]

This "Screen Song" entry from Famous Studios is virtually plot less, but is still an engaging collection of images and scenes. Taking place inside a closed toy store, the toys come to life when the humans are gone, and promptly take part in a toy parade throughout the store. A toy soldier then professes his love for the "Queen of Toys" (still "mint in box"!).

This leads into a quaint rendition of "Oh, You Beautiful Doll", with the standard 'bouncing ball' that was well known for the time, but is essentially a period piece today.

Overall, a neat look at a past art form, and still enjoyable for today's audiences.

Astronomeous (1928)

Solid FELIX effort, with Adventurous Plot line

[8/10 · 9 December 2005]

A very enjoyable Felix the Cat cartoon, which features Felix (as a candidate for 'cat president', apparently) promising to find a better place for cats--and courtesy of his bow and arrow, establishes a rope climb straight to Mars!

The action features the "king" of Mars, as well as quality animation of Felix taking on a shooting star--very well drawn, and very entertaining!

This was likely a silent film that has been butchered with poor cuts (to remove the word 'balloons' that was a hallmark of the series) and adds a shrill soundtrack, but these are the only real distractions to a cultural and historical gem.

Back Alley Oproar (1948)

--Simply one of the finest Warner Brothers cartoons ever--

[10/10 · 18 November 2005]

This is a prime example of a cartoon that is superior to its original inspiration. This is a remake of Friz Freling's "Notes To You" (with Porky Pig in Elmer's spot). Warners spent a good amount of their releases in the 1940's updating and colorizing old B & W classics in their catalog. Also, they often re-used old gags from other releases, of which this possesses several 'redone' bits.

However, what raises this cartoon to the level of classic is the inspiration that surrounds the reused material. Virtually all sung dialog drives the action as Sylvester leads a backyard cat concert for the suffering Elmer. The ultimate push for genius status goes to the sequence where Sylvester--fleeing Elmer--hands off his songbook to a strange tabby, who appears for all intents to be a chubby male. His transformation into an operatic soprano (just by flipping the songbook over!)is as inspired as any classic moment in the Warner canon.

The tragedy is that this cartoon missed out on TV immortality by just a few months. The TV deal that Warners struck made for all their cartoons produced before June 1948 to be sold into syndication ("Oproar" came out in March), and reserved the rest for what would become that Saturday morning staple, "The Bugs Bunny Show". Still, it has become a constant presence on the BOOMERANG network, so we should be grateful.

More Pep (1936)

OUT OF THE INKWELL format returns, with middling results

[7/10 · 19 April 2005]

MORE PEP is a cartoon that proves to have a lot of promise, but fails ultimately to be anything other than slightly above ordinary.

The plot starts rather dramatically--a narrator, "Uncle Max" (Max Fleischer, in a cameo voice-over) boldly announces the latest stunt to be performed by Betty Boop's dog--unfortunately, he's too sleepy to do anything. Betty comes to the rescue, singing an original song "You Gotta Have Pep" while shipping up a vitamin-fortified brew that happens to run amok, spraying the energetic drink everywhere BUT where it is supposed to be.

Once the dog fails to perform, the old OUT OF THE INKWELL process appears, for the first time in years--Betty pops out of the ink bottle, offering to help out Uncle Max complete the cartoon. The use of archival footage starts out creative, but runs out of steam quickly, and the INKWELL concept is abandoned until the very end.

A neat cultural artifact, and a decent cartoon--but mostly a curiosity.

Superman: The Arctic Giant (1942)

Godzooky's Grandpa in an okay Cartoon

[5/10 · 12 April 2005]

When an earlier poster commented that this cartoon exceeded Saturday morning cartoons, I had an immediate flashback of the old GODZILLA cartoon from NBC's Hanna Barbera connection...and in many ways, the tyrannosaurus found in this cartoon can be considered an ancestor to that cartoon--their composition color and total LACK of one standard size of the beast (I cringe when the beast changes size with EVERY scene!).

While the Fleischer SUPERMAN series is one of the most adventurous, ambitious and advanced statements in animation, this one ain't one of them. From its simplistic plot to Lois pausing to change her flashbulb while mere FEET from the tyrannosaur' jaws, it lacks the believability that was a vital part of the series. It's watchable, but not memorable.

Plus, my nine-year-old daughter (who is a SERIOUS dinosaur buff) is furious with the lack of realism with the dinosaur's design!

The Scared Crows (1939)

Essentially a PUDGY cartoon, with Betty along for a Bumpy Ride

[5/10 · 11 April 2005]

This cartoon showcases the decline and fall of the Fleischer animation machine, as it essentially uses Betty Boop to give a already-clichéd plot (Pudgy the dog guards against cagey crows) a boost. The boost isn't quite enough, though the cartoon has its amusing moments.

The cartoon is interesting in that Betty's design is different--she is no longer the "boop-boop a doop" flapper of her past--as the Depression hit long and hard, the world changed...and eventually so did Betty. She is taller, narrower, and more realistic looking--this is an indication more than anything that the Fleischer studio had evolved away from its anarchy-riddled past efforts into what would be more mature (but also more boring and safe) efforts.

What's saddest is that they use Betty only as a gimmick to showcase Pudgy. A shame.

Hep Cat Symphony (1949)

GREAT music...REDUNDANT Tom and Jerry plot

[6/10 · 11 April 2005]

This was in a DVD collection of copyright-expired cartoons, but I had not seen it in a previous collection...a jazzbo cat is playing jazz in his home when he is disturbed by the mouse orchestra hidden within his wall.

Yes--an orchestra of mice in the wall.

What could have been enjoyable turns into a poor copy of any number of TOM AND JERRY routines. Cat is annoyed by the music noise, then briefly gets revenge, only to be topped by the industrious mice. A positive joy is the finale, as the mice gain the upper hand while performing the William Tell Orchestra (I'd tell more, but I'd be approaching spoiler territory).

An okay cartoon--but not memorable in any state.

Snapshots (I) (2002)

Bittersweet love story--surprising work by Burt

[10/10 · 7 April 2003]

A nice tale of redemption and love...Burt plays a hermit-like bookseller and former poet who still carries wounds from a past love affair. Oddly enough, his old flame's daughter (out 'discovering' her purpose in life, much like Burt's character did in flashbacks) stumbles onto his shop...and he falls in love again, not realizing his interest in her is because she reminds him of her mother...

Julie Christie is an odd casting as his old love, as you're left wondering what this very British lady is doing playing a Moroccan woman--but, then you look at Burt and can't help seeing "The Bandit" in his sixties, old, broken and alone...so it's a wash.

A beautiful, subtle little movie. Burt makes you think of how some of his past characters might have aged, and still creates a new character in this haunted old man who has retreated from life, yet is still full of life.

Monty Python & the Holy Grail in Lego (2001)

A Parody done with Love

[10/10 · 4 April 2003]

A remarkable homage/parody of the "Camelot" song and dance from the "Holy Grail" motion picture. Essentially, the scene is totally redone with LEGO figures and blocks, but is true to the movie--which is why it is so hilarious. I look forward to a LEGO CASABLANCA, or a LEGO parting of the Red Sea from TEN COMMANDMENTS!

Steve Martin: Comedy Is Not Pretty (1980 TV Special)

Spotty Sketch Show Has Some Great Moments

[7/10 · 4 April 2003]

This show (not seen on network tv since 1988) represents the 'old' Steve Martin, as he began to outgrow the 'wild and crazy guy' persona. The sketches vary from hilarious (a parody of Marty Robbins' "El Paso" where Martin acts out the song with trained monkeys may be the funniest thing he's ever done) to subtle genius (he lip-synch's "Some Enchanted Evening", and does it straight, wearing a white tux) to parody (he mimics "60 Minutes" by turning the tables and investigating THEM, esp. Morley Safer being Canadian--look for Paul Reubens in a odd cameo as a sandwich maker), and those are the strong points. Other skits are inconsistent (the diving competition bit has some funny moments), dated(his "Love God" routine with Joyce DeWitt dies a rather painful death) or a bit offensive (a drunk driving steamroller bit actually made my mother storm out of the room!)...

This is a nostalgia piece for fans of the old "arrow through the head" Martin fans...fans of the slightly pretentious "artist" will likely be confused.

Wild Child (1991)

Slightly Below-Par Soft-Core Fare..whaddya expect--CITIZEN KANE?

[3/10 · 4 April 2003]

WILD CHILD offers little above the standard soft-core fare. It is essentially wrapped around a bare (no pun intended) plot about reuniting with a high school lover, which almost keeps the sex scenes tied together.

The film quality itself is poor--rather grainy and blurry, and the outdoor scenes actually are a bit overwhelmed by smog! Hard core pro Missy Warner "performs" well, and Brandy Bench (like most of the other cast members, in her only role to date using 'that' name) is also attractive.

There's Good Boos to-Night (1948)

Disturbing Little Classic

[8/10 · 3 April 2002]

I've often wondered just how much CASPER was meant for children...with all the issues revolving around his identity (in this film we are lead to believe that he is the spirit of a dead child, as his home is a cemetery plot), as well as the disturbing message brought by this particular film. Maybe Casper was meant more as a morality play, or Famous Studios felt like breaking new ground in 'reality' cartoons.

THERE'S GOOD BOOS TONIGHT is a well-animated project-no doubt there. But, the plot development involving the fox (who becomes Casper's friend, but meets a tragic end) is a concern.

Give Famous Studios credit--they tackle death with respect...but, the stark image of Casper's mourning is rather graphic and disturbing for children (though the denouement does offer a happy ending, but I won't give away the ending), and the violence is rather steep, even for 1940's standards.

This might be a good cartoon for parents to use in helping explain death to children--but I wouldn't pop it into the VCR for a perky cartoon break.

Casper the Friendly Ghost (1945)

Interesting Little Gem opens CASPER Franchise

[9/10 · 3 April 2002]

This first CASPER cartoon is an engaging little film (though Casper is almost unrecognizable--his design was later "cleaned up" and streamlined as he developed, much like Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny) that has much to offer younger children. Issues such as fair play, overcoming peer pressure and being accepted for who you are (not by how you appear) make this a charming bit of animation for children that offers a nice moral education as well.

Later on, as Famous Studios would try to understand how to approach Casper as a character, they would often get esoteric (THERE'S GOOD BOOS TONIGHT is an example of how they tried to make Casper a "serious" cartoon, and features actual death). Ultimately, Harveytoons would make Casper into a brain-dead ghost--but here he is a ghost with a soul.

Waitress! (1982)

"It looks like you fought the Civil War in here!"

[8/10 · 26 March 2002]

This movie qualifies as a "guilty" pleasure...a loopy plot surrounding an aspiring actress and her restauranteur-wannabe boyfriend (and actually featuring some quality 'soft-core' sex scenes that actually enhance the plot/humor), intercut with some of the best/worst sight gags and one-liners ever filmed. You actually wait for the the next joke, to see if it will fall into one or the other categories!

A major complain is that the movie never really decides WHAT to be--soft-core porn, slapstick comedy or gag-fest. That indecisiveness really throws off the movie's plot, wherever it is.

You will never, ever order wine the same after seeing this movie.

He Said, She Said (1991)

Wonderful Balance of Story-Telling

[9/10 · 22 February 2002]

A unusual take on modern romance, HE SAID SHE SAID looks at a relationship in trauma from both sides--first, we see Kevin Bacon's take (his insecurities, job woes, she's a competitor for a promotion, they swoop into romance...in other words the essentials of the plot without much dressing up), then we get Perkins' viewpoint (her breakup before Bacon, her belief that he's favored for the promotion, her plotting to get him to dance), which is much more emotional, and ultimately more entertaining.

A very pleasant and enjoyable tale, well worth the rental--especially to see Perkins' re-interpretation of Bacon and his 'past' with old flame Sharon Stone.

Surviving Gilligan's Island: The Incredibly True Story of the Longest Three Hour Tour in History (2001 TV Movie)

Marvelous, Nostalgic Look at an Amazing Phenomenon

[10/10 · 15 October 2001]

With wit, charm and a decidedly protuding "tongue in cheek", the surviving "Gilligan's Island" cast gets together one more time, but ON THEIR TERMS...no "True Hollywood Story" paranoia here.

Using actors to portray them in their youth (as well as the deceased Backus, Hale and Schaefer), Dawn Wells, Bob Denver and Russell Johnson (along with Sherwood Schwarz, the show's creator) tell of the ups and downs of the longest tour in nautical history. The use of actors to tell the story's choppy history (it was hated by critics and CBS execs but loved by the public, much to CBS's confusion and dismay) can often be an 'iffy' proposal, but here it works wonders (the sudden jump of Wells into her "past" is especially funny and effective).

Their approach on the issue of Tina Louise (who long ago rejected the show) was honest but not as harsh as they likely could have been. Other stories, such as the demise of Jim Backus and Alan Hale and Natalie Schaefer's breast cancer, are very poignant and told with great dignity.

Special notice to Dwayne Hickman (Bob Denver's co-hort on DOBIE GILLIS) who does a nice cameo as a remarkably arrogant and dense CBS executive.

Overall, a well-developed story told beautifully, and a nostalgic trip on the SS Minnow sails smoothly. If only ALL tv shows had this chance to "finish the story"...

Shuteye Popeye (1952)

Funny Role Reversal for the Spinached One

[10/10 · 2 October 2001]

A very amusing turn of the plotline for the POPEYE series, as Paramount matches him up with a mouse desperately trying to sleep, but cannot due to Popeye's snoring. As a result, the mouse tries various means of eliminating Popeye (while he sleeps, adding to the humor as Popeye wakes up in various uncomfortable situations). A wonderful production, and a nice change of pace from the usual "Bluto wants Olive to date him" scenario.

Shaving Muggs (1953)

Fast-action Humor Makes this POPEYE a Special One

[10/10 · 2 October 2001]

Though this is primarily a one-joke cartoon (Popeye and Bluto need to clean up, or Olive Oyl will not go out with either of them), the gags flow quite well in this Famous Studios presentation. A key gag is seeing just how good-looking Bluto is, sans beard...and it leaves us wondering just WHAT Olive sees in the Spinached One. A twist in the plot at film's end (Olive, of course, changes her mind about facial hair) shows that Bluto and Popeye really are teammates in "the game of love" as they mutually kick each other in punishment. Great cartoon, with quality spinach-powered action!

The Fly's Last Flight (1949)

Humorous but Disturbingly Violent Cartoon

[7/10 · 2 October 2001]

A funny entry in the Popeye series, but featuring an unusually high dosage of violence and gunplay to really be enjoyed. The plot is simple--Popeye wants to sleep, and a fly annoys him--but the violent reactions of both Popeye AND the fly makes for a rather disturbing presentation. This is one that if it isn't an example of excessive cartoon violence on TV, then it should be.

Now, I'm a Popeye fan. I know that violence is a cornerstone of the series, but this takes it too far, even for 1940's standards.