Bulldozing the Bull

Let me state at the outset that when it comes to bullfighting, my sympathies are entirely with the bull and anyone foolish enough to to get in the ring with one for "sport" deserves whatever happens to him. End of sermon.

Here we have a very reluctant Popeye essentially drafted by default into the position of matador by being in the wrong place at the wrong time by virtue of his flirtation with Olive. This is a bullfight, Popeye style. A great cartoon, with snappy dialogue, typically fine animation and the inimitable Jack Mercer and a fine time is had by all. One of the more inventive ways for Popeye to get ahold of his spinach fix, so as to emerge once again covered in victory, is seen here. One of my favorite Popeye shorts. Originally done in black and white, there is also a colorized version. While the color version is okay, the black and white is better. Well worth seeking out. Most recommended.

Animal rights devotees will like this old Popeye cartoon. Popeye is dead set against bullfighting, saying it is cruel to the animalsk," or something like that. The sailor never could pronounce that word.

Anyway, he's south of the border and right outside a bullring when the ticket master feels generous and offers Popeye a free ticket to the bullfight. He turns it town, tearing up the ticket and giving the man his two cents on what he thinks of that "sport." However, when a beautiful, veiled senorita comes by (Olive, with a Spanish accent!), Popeye glues the ticket back, courtesy his pipe, and enters the arena. Immediately, since he's standing in the toreador's box ogling Olive, he's mistaken for the matador, and finds himself in the ring against some vicious bull.

The horned animal brutalizes Popeye all around the ring until the latter can get his spinach.

The uniqueness of this cartoon is the ending. It's not what you think will happen. As I said, animal lovers will like this cartoon.....especially that unforeseen ending!

Popeye finds himself in front of a bull ring. He won't go in because it's cruelty to animals, but when he sees the beautiful Olive Oyl (Spanish: Senorita Aceite de Oliva) go in, he follows, and finds himself the toreador facing a fierce bull.

I'm in favor of any Fleischer Popeye cartoon, and especially when he doesn't fight Bluto. That said, this one is pretty standard for the era, with a goodly number of gags, and some typical cartoon violence, which somehow never seems to have much of an effect.

Dave Fleisher is credited as director, which he was on all of the Fleischers' sound cartoons. In fact, for cartoons, it's more akin to producing, with lead animators Willard Bowsky and George Germanetti doing the actual work.

Bulldozing the Bull (1938)

*** (out of 4)

Popeye is offered tickets to a bullfight but he refuses them because it's "unkindly" to animals. He then sees Olive walk in so he decides to follow and before long he's in the ring with an angry bull.

BILLDOZING THE BULL is another charming short from the Fleischer boys and while it's not a classic by any stretch of the imagination it's certainly an entertaining one. As you'd expect there are plenty of great visuals throughout and there's no doubt that the animation itself is top-notch. There are several funny moments throughout but I must say that the highlight was just the wording used by Popeye to explain his displeasure of the fighting.

Fleischer Studios were responsible for many gems. Ones that amused and charmed, though over-cuteness did come through in some efforts and the stories were always pretty thin, with appealing characters, outstanding music and visuals that were inventive and with innovative animation techniques.

'Bulldozing the Bull' is one of the best Popeye cartoons to me. It is extremely well done and never less than very funny, its best parts being hilarious. Will admit to having always enjoyed many of the Popeye cartoons a good deal and like Popeye very much, Fleischer's efforts were always well animated and scored with lots of entertainment value and great chemistry between the characters. 'Bulldozing the Bull' has top-notch characterisation and everything that makes the other best cartoons so great is evident here. Didn't mind the absence of Bluto at all and feel that with the premise it was the right decision to not have him.

The story is an interesting and beautifully paced one, never being dull, if slightly formulaic (not uncommon with the Popeye cartoons). The humour and gags make it even more entertaining, 'Bulldozing the Bull' is non-stop fast-paced wildness and laughter, avoiding the trap of repetition.

All the characters are great, Olive Oyl is not underused and she charms and amuses. Easy to see what Popeye sees in her. Popeye is always amusing and likeable while the funny and formidable bull comes close to stealing the show. The bullfight setting is used to great advantage, though it's the character interplay between Popeye and the bull, which is so much fun with some tension, that is most memorable here.

Furthermore, the animation is great, beautifully drawn and with enough visual detail to not make it cluttered or static and lively and smooth movement. The music is also outstanding, lots of merry energy and lush orchestration, adding a lot to the action and making the impact even better without being too cartoonish. Fleischer's direction is always accomplished and his style is all over it.

Jack Mercer is spot on as Popeye and Margie Hines' decision to give a Spanish accent to Olive comes over very well, though there is a preference for Mae Questel because she fits the character more.

In conclusion, another great Popeye cartoon. 9/10 Bethany Cox