Protek the Weakerist

Not only is much-smaller usually battle big, brutish Bluto but now Olive's little dog Fluffy has to run for his life against Bluto's big bulldog.

It all starts after Popeye, as a favor to Olive, took Fluffy for a walk. Popeye was not happy about it, embarrassed he might be seen walking with this pansy, little women's dog. Popeeye's mumbling and disparaging comments about the dog provide the humor. However, along comes Bluto and chaos ensues as the bulldog takes off after the little mutt and Bluto belts Popeye into the side of a brick wall.

One just knew what was going to happen, but it didn't spoil the ending which was both cute and funny. Popeye's message? "Just 'cause you're taller, don't hit people smaller.....I'm Popeye the Sailor Man." (the dog grabs the pipe and goes "toot, toot!")

Proteck The Weakerist (1937)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Popeye shows up at Olive Oyl's house and she demands that he take her little dog for a walk. Popeye is embarrassed by such a small dog and soon he runs into Bluto and his large bulldog. Soon Bluto and his dog are picking a fight and it's up to the small one to rise up.

PROTECK THE WEAKERIST is another classic episode from the Fleischer series that once again has some terrific animation as well as some fabulous gags. This short works extremely well even though I'm sure some are going to find it rather mean and especially how Popeye bullies the dog early on. I really don't think people should take it too serious since it is animation after all! There are some great fights that break out towards the end of the film including Popeye getting slapped around. The highlight is certainly the small dog who winds up in the spinach and comes out strong.

1937 was/is one of the best and most consistent years for the Popeye series from personal opinion. In the series' best period too, which, again personal opinion, was the late 30s. This is coming from someone who prefers the Fleischer Popeye cartoons over Famous Studios' output (actually not just for Popeye but in general as well), which was not as consistent or as high in quality while still more than watchable.

'Protek the Weakerist' is a very strong example as to why and although there are even better 1937 Popeye cartoons this is towards the better end. While the basic formula of most of the Popeye series still remains, 'Protek the Weakerist' also attempts a relative change of pace and succeeds. This change of pace being including two dogs and having two fights/conflicts in alternative to one, one being the typical one with Popeye and Bluto and the other with the dogs.

For some, Popeye's initial bullying of the dog may come over as rather mean by Popeye standards. For him it is mean and a bit off-putting, seeing as he is usually a likeable character with great comic timing, but it was appreciated that it wasn't distasteful or too over the top.

However, the animation as always for this period has some charming detail and neat drawing. Didn't find it too busy, even when it was chaotic, yet it was always interesting to watch. The music, also typically, is lushly orchestrated and characterful. Adding a lot to the action, gestures and expressions and actually helps in giving them more impact.

There are a lot of gags, without feeling too much or like it went overboard, and none of them misfire. The best ones were hilarious, and on top of the imaginatively done increasing chaos between Popeye and Bluto and the dogs the ending agreed really stands out. Found myself both awwing and laughing. Once again, it is very difficult to not love Popeye's mumblings and asides and Jack Mercer's delivery helps a lot. Popeye amuses and endears most of the time, Bluto is a formidable opponent and their chemistry has the right amount of surprises and amusement.

Actually thought though that the dogs stole the show from under them, loved their contrasting personalities and their chemistry has a genuine spark despite being polar opposites to each other and their animosity being even stronger than that between Popeye and Bluto. Jack Mercer was the better known Popeye for good reason, William Costello voiced the character in the early 30s but Mercer is the better one of the two.

Olive has far too little to do once again, her main purpose here being introducing the action and not an awful lot more.

In summary, excellent. 9/10

If you like to watch Popeye for the fights, you'll love this one! You get to watch not only Bluto and Popeye mix it up, but two dogs get into the act as well. Bluto's dog has his charming personality and social graces as well. Actually, the dog angle is what makes this cartoon work (that and Jack Mercer, who made all the Popeyes he voiced better-he was great!) and the ending is quite good. Well worth watching. Recommended.

I think the best thing about this short is that it's never cutesy about the dog, which Popeye thoroughly dislikes (and humorously ignores), though they do have an inevitable Spinach-bonding moment. The chase antics are good, and Mercer's voicings are always funny, especially the under-the-breath comments.