Wimmin Hadn't Oughta Drive

Wimmin Hadn't Oughta Drive (1940)

*** (out of 4)

Fun-nature episode in the series has Popeye showing off his new car to Olive who of course then wants him to "learn her" how to drive.

The title should pretty much tell you the type of humor this film is going to offer and that's sexism. Yes, this is a sexist short that's trying to say women can't drive and that's what makes it so funny. I'm sure some might be offended by the subject matter but who cares? This was a really funny short and especially the way Popeye's patience is constantly being tested because Olive just does one dumb thing after another. The gag dealing with the turning of the car is the highlight of the picture.

There is little plot here. After the offensive title goes past, Popeye is intimidated into letting Olive drive his new car. Once this happens, all the cliches begin. The grabbing and pulling off of the steering wheel. Not being able to get it out of reverse. Distraction by both of them, running into things time after time. It's just rather uninteresting.

1940 on the whole was actually not a particularly good year for Fleischer Studios, but actually on the most part (although not on the same level as the mid/late-30s period) it was not a bad year at all for the Popeye series, that year the only Fleischer theatrical series worth watching. 'Wimmin Hadn't Oughta Drive' really did not appeal to me conceptually on first watch and the title is one that makes one squirm in the seat. On first watch, this was one of the few Fleischer Popeye cartoons that did little for me.

On rewatch, 'Wimmin Hadn't Oughta Drive' still does little for me and actually am more indifferent to it now. While it is better than the worst of the Gabby, Stone Age and Color Classics cartoons, 'Wimmin Hadn't Oughta Drive' is a strong contender for the worst 1940 Popeye cartoon, one of the worst Fleischer Popeye efforts (not just in their later period but overall) and one of my least favourites of the whole series. Am not taking any pleasure in saying that, being someone who likes Popeye and many of his cartoons.

'Wimmin Hadn't Oughta Drive' has some things that makes it watchable. The animation is very well done. Love the attention to detail in the backgrounds and Popeye's character animation, and compared to the series in its early years to me the animation quality advanced quite a bit for Fleischer regarding the late-30s onwards Popeye cartoons. Some of it, even in the busier moments, were quite inventive. The music is another high-point, that was something that was consistently never less than excellent throughout the entire Popeye series (for both Fleischer Studios and Famous Studios). Very lush and characterful, adding a lot to the action.

Jack Mercer's voice acting is spot on, as is his priceless delivery of Popeye's mumblings and asides. Popeye is likeable and is also relatable in this situation, sympathy is completely on his side here and one can understand his frustration. There are a few mildly amusing moments, the turning round the car gag is agreed the best.

Unfortunately, Olive is insufferably annoying here and all her negative character traits are exaggerated to breaking point. 'Wimmin Hadn't Oughta Drive' is one of the few Popeye cartoons where Popeye and Olive's chemistry/relationship did nothing for me, in no way do they look like they are in love and it all looked too acrimonious.

Excepting a few amusing moments, there is really not much that is funny here and the gags compared to most Popeye cartoons from this period are in relatively short supply. As well as being quite stale. Will be very honest too in being too distracted by the material revolving around the teaching one to drive (which is almost all the cartoon) being less than tasteful and pretty out of date. Which is what can be said, even more so, of the characters' attitudes. The story is both dull and bland, even in the final third where the cartoon actually did literally run out of gas, and the predictability factor is high.

In conclusion, has its good things but didn't do much for me. 5/10.

Popeye shows Olive Oly his new car. She wants to drive and he reluctantly acquiesces. Olive is especially annoying in this one. It makes her look bad and makes the relationship look bad. It's a part of the Popeye cartoons that I've never liked. Otherwise, this is perfectly fine Popeye.

In this one, Popeye "teaches" Olive how to drive. I'm curious as to who taught Popeye, as he neglects to impart Important Rule # 1: Pay attention to the road when navigating any vehicle anywhere. It isn't that Olive is totally inattentive. She's just not attentive to minor trivialities-like steering or the traffic around her. The title here shouldn't be "Wimmin Hadn't Oughta Drive" but rather, "Don't Let Olive Oyl Have Control Over Anything More Complex To Operate Than a Toothpick". Though I must confess that Popeye is no great mental heavyweight either, as he permits Olive behind the wheel in the first place! Great sight gags make this loads of fun. Jack Mercer was as great as always and the ending is fittingly apropos. Worth seeking out and most recommended.