Hospitaliky

Yeah-Yeah. I know full-well that "Hospitaliky" is "just-a-cartoon". But, with that said - I think that Popeye & Bluto's rivalry and their mutual attraction towards Olive Oyl is downright demented and, yes, just plain stupid (for the most part).

And, here in "Hospitaliky" (instead of just asking Olive for a date) Popeye & Bluto, literally, go to the most ridiculous extremes (risking their very lives) in order to be admitted into the hospital (as a seriously injured patient) where their sweetheart, Olive just happens to work as a nurse.

Anyway - (IMO) - "Hospitaliky" really overplayed this whole business of Popeye & Bluto seeking out Olive's affections. And because of that I could only give this vintage cartoon nothing more than just a 4-star rating.

Olive Oyl is a nurse walking down the street. Popeye and Bluto spot the beauty and both chase after her. She walks into the hospital. The boys decide to fake illnesses to get admitted. Olive Oyl is not buying it and sends them away. The boys decide to get real hurt through different ways.

After getting rejected by Olive Oyl, I thought the boys would start fighting right away. With this idea, the episode is more interesting and has more variety. The only problem is that it takes too long for the boys to reunite. Maybe they should stay together for the whole run. It does have a great twist to the conclusion.

Fleischer Studios' cartoons more often than not amused and charmed and were always well made. Not without over-cuteness at times and stories were seldom a strong suit, but they were always made up for significantly in appealing characters, outstanding music and visuals that were inventive and with innovative animation techniques.

Of the 1937 Popeye cartoons, 'Hospitaliky' agreed is one of the best, among the best Fleischer cartoons and is one of the best Popeye cartoons overall. If there was a list for classic Popeye cartoons, 'Hospitaliky' undoubtedly would be on it. It has everything that makes the Popeye series so appealing in its prime era and Popeye, Olive Oyl and Bluto are all on top form. While the good animation, even better music scoring, entertainment value, spot on character writing and chemistry between the leads.

The chemistry between the three characters really shines in 'Hospitaliky', especially as ever between Popeye and Bluto. Their chemistry is pretty legendary and drives the Popeye cartoons when they are together, which they are a lot though there have been effective changes of pace. One can see why that is the case, the energy between the two sparkles. Popeye is immensely entertaining and likeable while Bluto is every bit his equal. Would have liked to have seen more of Olive though.

If reading the premise, one would naturally think this is absurd. Thinking how to make something funny out of going to great lengths to be admitted to hospital just for love, when hospitals are among many people's least favourite places. Including me with it over the past eight years being a familiar place for me, while having great respect for everybody in the medical profession. 'Hospitality' manages to do so, brilliantly with remarkably fresh execution and non-stop energy and entertainment value. The story is not too formulaic and boasts a clever ending. Lots of gags spot on in timing, with not a misfire in the lot. Particularly effective in the laughs department are the truly creative injury attempts of Popeye and Bluto and Popeye's asides and mumblings, what could have been irritating manages to be something of an art form.

Furthermore, the animation is 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.

Voice acting is dynamic and of very good quality, especially from Jack Mercer. Though nobody voiced Olive better than her most frequent voice actress Mae Questel and Gus Wickie has the right amount of menace for Bluto.

Summarising, a great cartoon and one of the best from this period. 9/10

When both Bluto and Popeye want to get in the hospital to be near Olive Oyl, they proceed to try to cause damage to themselves. They try to explode themselves, let trains run over them, allow the other to beat them up. Whoever thought of this plot was very, very clever.

Now THIS was different: Popeye and Bluto trying to get hurt, trying to be injured badly. Huh?

Well, it's what Olive tells them after the two get into an argument in front of a hospital. "You have to be hurt badly to get into a hospital," she tells them, so both guys go off in separate directions looking for ways to get pulverized and get sent to the hospital!

The scene earlier at the hospital front doors had some good moments of humor. "My high blood pressure is low, too," is one of the good lines Popeye gets off as he and Bluto both go into dramatics pretending to be sick. The only reason they are acting like this is that Olive just walked in, and she's a nurse. They want her attention. When Popeye outdoes Bluto is the theatrics, Bluto calls him a faker and the argument escalates until Olive comes out and tells them what I mentioned in the first paragraph.

What lengths both of these guys do to get injured provides some outstanding moments and some terrific graphics (sight gags). It reminded me a bit of a Dabney Coleman movie in the '80s called "Short Time," where he tried everything to kill himself and was never, thankfully, successful.

In a shocking ending, Popeye gives Bluto the spinach, instead of eating it himself, hoping that Bluto will beat the you-know-what out of him. It's unbelievable!!

This may be the best of an excellent collection of mid-to-late 1930s Popeye cartoon, one of many included in the recent DVD package featuring his theatrical cartoons from 1933-1938. Great stuff!