Spinach Fer Britain

Popeye was given a mission in delivering a shipment of spinach to Great Britain. The only problem is that there's a Nazi sub roaming around destroying everything in sight.

And they've set their targets on Popeye's boat of spinach. He'll need to get past them and a field of mines in order to succeed in his mission.

Will our American sailor be able to save the spinach. And what with England do without the spinach? It's a common WW2 cartoon. With a use of entertainment, but it's no where near being a classic like other Popeye and WW2 cartoons.

And like other average WW2 cartoons, it coexists due to it having Nazis in it.

Have a general preference for, as far as Popeye cartoons go, Fleischer Studios' output. A vast majority of them are better made, more inventive and funnier, they tended to be formulaic in terms of story but when they did their changes of pace (and they had a number of those) they were generally better than those of Famous Studios.

Not implying here that Famous Studios' output isn't good. Much of it is, the later years did see evidence of tight budgets and hasty deadlines which accounted for the inferior animation quality (a general issue with later Famous Studios actually), the stories being more formulaic and the humour not as plentiful or imaginative, also more amusing than hilarious. With that being said, most of them were among the studio's better efforts in an increasingly inconsistent output, better than the late Herman and Katnip and late Casper cartoons, being still funny and with great character interaction and even better music.

Although one of the better World War II Popeye cartoons, 'Spinach for Britain' is still not one of the best representations of Popeye. The best Popeye cartoons are great to classic, this fits under the good distinction.

'Spinach for Britain' is not perfect although there is not an awful lot wrong with it. It is occasionally a little on the heavy-handed side and It is not hard to figure out what happens next and how the cartoon is going to end.

Inevitably there are stereotypes, but luckily while unsubtle it is not in an offensive way.

The conflict is stronger here though than in the two previous world war cartoons with Popeye fighting the Japanese because the personalities are more interesting. Popeye is likeable and amusing as well as resourceful and brave, he seems comfortable and fits well here.

Writing-wise, there is very funny material in 'Spinach for Britain' and it does boast some inventive moments visually and in the well-timed gags. As said, the characterisation is strong, meaning that there is tense and humorous interaction.

On top of all this, the animation and music are without complaint. The animation is fluid and beautifully detailed, everything looks meticulous and like a lot of effort and care went into it clearly. The music is outstanding as always, lushly and cleverly orchestrated with lots of energy, it adds to the action and enhances it even. Jack Mercer does a great job as Popeye and makes the most out of his material.

Altogether, good. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Spinach Fer Britain (1943)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Here's another WWII era Popeye short that has him on a personal mission to deliver cans of spinach for Britain. While crossing the ocean he runs into a German submarine.

SPINACH FER Britain is pretty much what you'd expect out of a WWII short. You've got the great American Popeye having to go up against some nasty Germans and of course there's plenty of action along the way. The film is certainly patriotic and it's easy to see that movie crowds in 1943 would have loved it but to be honest there really aren't many laughs here and that keeps it from being much better. The animation is nice and the action is good though.

Popeye is sailing out for Britain to provide the people there with well needed spinach to fight of the Germans. While sailing there, he has an encounter with a German U-boot which destroys his ship. Popeye takes his revenge, wiping out the nazi's and taking the spinach in the U-boot to Downing Street ten.

Reasonable propaganda piece from the World War II age, with stereotypical dumb and cruel Germans beaten heavily by our spinach loving sailor. The animation is black and white, but well done, as there isn't much to complain about in this short cartoon. Though there isn't much to enjoy either, I must admit.

So and so on the whole, but check it out if you're interested in cartoons from that era. 6/10.

This short, one of a handful done by Paramount Famous Studios in black and white, is fairly effective propaganda and uses the black and white to best advantage with shadows and shadings. While the overall value of even a rowboat full of spinach versus, say, munitions, to Britain at that time and place is an open question, Popeye's patriotic fervor is not. An excellent use of Popeye for the war effort. Well worth tracking down. Recommended.