I Yam What I Yam

Popeye, Olive, and Wimpy cross the Atlantic and encounter the native population. Of course, there is massive stereotyping here and the Indians are really plains Indians. It has some entertaining moments but it's all old tired cliches.

This second-ever Popeye cartoon still offers some things which look and sound strange for those of us who have seen a lot of other Popeye efforts, especially from the later '30s to the '60s. Bonnie Poe, instead of the customary Mae Questel, did the early voice of Olive Oyl. Speaking of Olive, she was subservient to Popeye early on and by 1960, Popeye had to work hard to keep winning her over. For instance, the first scene in this cartoon is Popeye, Olive and Wimpy in a boat crossing the ocean (?) and Olive is doing the rowing while Popeye just sings. Wimpy eats fish, not hamburgers.

Anyway, the story in "early settler" one in which the trio lands, Popeye belts some big trees which magically produced a log cabin (complete with chimney!) and then the Indians, disguised as trees, attack the cabin. Olive fights them off while Wimpy keeps eating. (I wonder when he began with his trademark hamburgers?)

Nothing really super-funny in here, but I did laugh near the end when Popeye clobbered the huge chief, changing him from a big, violent monster to the peace-loving Ghandi.

"Ohh, my hero," Olive croons.

I Yam What I Yam (1933)

**** (out of 4)

Second film in the series has Popeye, Olive Oyl and Wimpy landing on an island when they're attacked by Indians. There are several funny moments here including a great scene where Popeye goes duck hunting and the Indian coins is another great gag. The spoof of Ghandi also works quite nicely in this politically incorrect short.

Blow Me Down! (1933)

**** (out of 4)

Popeye travels to Mexico to see Olive Oyl who's working in a Mexican bar when Bluto shows up to start trouble. Once again we get some great humor with a lot of in coming in the politically incorrect form. The scene where a Mexican bandit shoots Popeye in the head only to have to bullet fly back and hit him is great as is the scene where Popeye and Bluto have a shooting contest.

In this short, named after what would become one of Popeye's signature catchphrases, he, Olive Oyl, and Wimpy (who makes his on-screen debut in this short) row to land and set up a cabin. However, while the sailor man hunts for duck for dinner, he soon finds a tribe of native americans attacking him and the log cabin.

While it is nothing special, you have to understand this is the second Popeye cartoon ever made (the first being a Betty Boop cartoon). While some may find native americans as antagonists to be politically incorrect, I thought it was done in a comedic style (besides, there are other media that portray native Americans as savages, both in and after the year this was made), as Popeye uses his strength and brains (one he twists the nose of using his twister punch, three others he bends the arrows of so they shoot their rear ends, which have targets on them as part of the punchline, when he gets the ducks). This has a good story and voice acting, and is worth checking out.

Dave Fleischer was responsible for many gems. Ones that were amusing and charming, 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.

'I Yam What I Yam' is not quite one of the best Popeye cartoons to me. It is extremely well done though and has a lot going for it. Have 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. 'I Yam What I Yam' has much of what makes the Popeye series so appealing in its prime era and does nothing to waste the main characters or make them less interesting. It is another nice change of pace, with a different setting and the absence of Bluto.

The story is an interesting and beautifully paced one, never being dull, if formulaic (not uncommon with the Popeye cartoons). The material make it even more entertaining, 'I Yam What I Yam' is non-stop fast-paced fun, avoiding the trap of repetition.

All the characters are great, though Olive Oyl is a bit underused and her material not as great as the rest. There is a lot of energy here and while 'I Yam What I Yam' is somewhat politically incorrect it's not offensive, not to me that is. The Gandhi caricature is a strange one but works within the setting. Popeye is always amusing and likeable and Wimpy likewise.

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, Bonnie Poe doesn't quite fit Olivr but William Costello is fine as Popeye and Charles Lawrence is even better.

Overall, strong effort. 8/10 Bethany Cox