Too Weak to Work

The boys - Popeye and Bluto - are assigned painting chores while serving in the Navy. They have to paint those small boats you see on the sides of the big warships.

Bluto doesn't want to work, so he feigns illness to get out of the detail. He's so dramatic that he fools our half-brained hero who escorts him to a nearby hospital. When Popeye inadvertently discovers he's been had, he dons a nurse disguise, comes back into the room and makes the big oaf pay.

That's about it. This was a basically silly and strange Popeye cartoon, certainly not up to standards, to be honest. A lot of these WWII Popeye cartoons were so-so, at best.

I miss the better-drawn, funnier battles between Popeye and Olive back in the big city or out in the country. I even miss Olive and Wimpy. War is hell.

Too Weak to Work (1943)

*** (out of 4)

Popeye and Bluto own a boat company but the big man says he's too weak to work. Bluto ends up in the hospital but Popeye learns that he's faking so he dresses up as a nurse to teach him a lesson.

TOO WEAK TO WORK isn't a masterpiece or anything but if you're a fan of the series then you'll certainly want to check it out since it does contain some nice action and good laughs. The highlight comes towards the end of the film when Bluto shrinks down in size and him running around will certainly have tears running down your face from laughing. Another great gag deals with Popeye putting too much oxygen in him, which causes him to float away.

Navy sailor Popeye is busy working but Bluto is too lazy to work. Bluto pretends to be sick so that he gets time in the hospital. His worried friend Popeye discovers that he's faking. Popeye decides to teach him a lesson by dressing as a female nurse.

The most notable aspect of this Popeye short is that Bluto is the one who gets the spinach injection. They're best friends in this one. It's a good short. I do wonder if Olive Oyl shouldn't be included. It needs some extra sauce.

For a refreshing change of pace, Popeye & Bluto aren't in competition for the affections of Olive. Instead, they're supposed to be painting a fleet of small boats (at least Popeye is painting,where Bluto is content being a lazy S.O.B.). Bluto tries to feign sickness, is trucked to the closest hospital for some much needed R&R (yeah, right). When Popeye sees through Bluto's lie, he cross dresses as what has to be the ugliest nurse in history, and puts Bluto through the ringer (with some fairly sadistic results). This is one of the last Popeye cartoons that was shot in black & white by Famous Studios (once the Fleischer Brothers were given their walking papers,the rest of the series was filmed in various colour processes). This is a fast paced, ultra funny short that was actually a remake of a 1938 Captain & The Kids short, 'Cleaning House' for M-G-M studios (that,like 'Too Weak To Work',was also filmed in black & white). Occasionally aired on Cartoon Network's sister station Boomerang on either Late Nite Black & White, or on their half hour block of original Paramont/Fleischer/Famous Studio Popeye animated shorts (air times vary,depending).

Like to love a vast majority of the Popeye cartoons. Also like Popeye himself. A likeable character whose chemistry and animosity with Bluto one that drives the cartoons with such fun and energy, always a highlight. Do have a preference for the Fleischer era cartoons, that are generally funnier, more imaginative and of higher quality, though many of the later Famous Studio offerings entertain, just inferior in quality.

An early Famous Studios effort, as far as the Popeye cartoons go that is, 'Too Weak to Work' is not quite one of my favourite Popeye cartoons overall. Although it has pretty much everything that was so great about the best of the Fleischer output while not being quite as imaginative in the formula and humour. That is not saying that 'Too Weak to Work' is unimaginative, for Famous Studios Popeye it is quite the contrary and another change of pace for the series. Being a cartoon that focuses on Popeye and Bluto and their far from amicable chemistry rather than their rivalry for love with Olive Oyl. The result is a great cartoon and do have to agree that it is one of the best Popeye cartoons from this period of the series and also one of Famous Studios' better Popeye cartoons overall.

One doesn't care so much that the story is on the thin and somewhat formulaic side, the outcome is never in question. Namely because there is enough creativity and variety to stop 'Too Weak to Work' from being repetitive or predictable and the energy is constant and so infectious. The lack of Olive Oyl proved to be a good move and it let it be all about Popeye and Bluto, who were always far more interesting characters anyway, in a competitive situation.

Many fine things in 'Too Weak to Work'. The animation cannot be faulted, the backgrounds have lost none of the meticulous attention to detail, it's fluid, Popeye still looks good and is recognisable in design and the shading has atmosphere. Every bit as good is the lively and lushly orchestrated music score, that has character and adds a lot to the action and enhances it.

Popeye is amusing and likeable still and Jack Mercer doesn't disappoint with the voice acting. Bluto is just as funny and interesting and the chemistry between the two sparkles and carries 'Too Weak to Work' brilliantly.

'Too Weak to Work' boasts lots of dialogue and gags that are timed beautifully and are never less than very funny, Popeye's asides and mumblings are something of a hilarious art-form of its own, and the energy never wavers. Thanks to the action being imaginative visually, crisply timed and non-stop without being exhausting.

In conclusion, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox