I Likes Babies and Infinks

I have to really hand it to the writers of these 1930s Popeye cartoons: they really varied the shows, especially during the this time period (1936-1938). If it was the Fleischer brothers, Dave and Max, they were geniuses. I know Dave directed this and Max produced, but it doesn't say who wrote these. I am going to presume it was Dave but knowing Max's early silent work, it could be him, too. Both had great imaginations.

I never would have guessed I would be seeing big, bad Brutus doing the antics he did in here, all to make a baby - "Swee' pea" - stop crying, but he was hilarious! Popeye wasn't bad, either. The things they did, of course, were humanly impossible but they sure made me laugh.

The ending was very clever, with Popeye downing a can of onions instead of spinach! These cartoons are so good that I cannot recommend highly enough purchasing the "Popeye: The Sailor Man 1933-1938 Volume One" DVD. You get the first 60 Popeye cartoons that were theatrically released and most of them are outstanding and look super with the "restored" artwork.

When Swee'pea has an attack of the never-get-overs, Olive Oyl calls in neighbors Popeye and Bluto. They engage in increasingly fantastic efforts to stop the child from crying, until the inevitable brawl between the two of them begins.

I enjoy almost all of the Fleischer Popeye cartoons, but there's little doubt in my mind that they peaked between 1936 and 1938. They had their formula, of course, but the amazing variety of gags and the occasional manner in which they avoided their usual tropes -- here, Popeye does not eat his spinach -- as well as the care in setting the venue -- Olive's apartment has all the latest gadgets for the decade -- add greatly to my enjoyment.

I Like Babies and Infinks (1937)

*** (out of 4)

Olive Oyl is watching Swee' Pea but he won't stop crying so both Bluto and Popeye come to the aid to try and impress their woman. They soon realize that fighting each other is more important than the crying kid.

This one here doesn't quite reach the classic level but if you're a fan of the long-running series then you'll find plenty to enjoy here. I'm not going to lie but when the kid was crying I really wanted to pull my ear drums out because it was just so annoying. Once the actual fighting between Popeye and Bluto starts things get a lot better including one stunt where Popeye has Bluto kick himself in the face. The animation itself is as great as you'd expect and there are plenty of nice gags throughout and especially the twist at the end.

Fleischer Studios made numerous good and more cartoons. Regardless of how some of them veered on being the wrong side of cute and thin plotting was a common feature in their cartoons, they were also very well made and scored, the characters appealed and enough of them were amusing and charming. If asked whether their cartoons are recommended, the answer is a yes. The mid/late-30s Popeye cartoons especially.

Of which 'I Likes Babies and Infinks' is in the top half, in one of the studios best years. It is all of the above positive things and just about avoids being too cute, despite the presence of a baby (a dangerous type of character to pull off in animation and any visual media for that matter), even if the story is somewhat thin and formulaic. It has enough invention, in visuals and humour, to stop it from becoming predictable and repetitive, or too much so at least. It is a fine example of why Popeye and his cartoon appeal a lot to me and what makes them work so well is all evident here.

Apart from the thin story, the only other flaw is that again Olive has too little to do compared to the other characters, screen time and in material which is also weaker than that of the other characters. All of which are spot on. Popeye is amusing and likeable as always with his as ever hilarious asides and mumblings, and Bluto is an even funnier and imposing foil. Love their chemistry, which was always a strength even in their lesser efforts. Not making Swee'Pea sugary sweet and obnoxious would have not been easy, but 'I Likes Babies and Infinks' just about achieves not doing it and Swee'Pea was a scene stealer in a way.

'I Likes Babies and Infinks' does not disappoint when it comes to the animation, which is very good. It's beautifully drawn and with immaculate visual detail, that doesn't ever feel cluttered or static, and lively and smooth movement. Neither does the music underwhelm in any way, 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.

Lots of very funny to hilarious gags here and the ending is very clever and a nice pace-changer. Jack Mercer is especially good of the voice actors, his vocal delivery being why the asides and mumblings make as much impact as they do.

Summarising, great. 9/10

Swee' Pea was an occasional bit player in the Popeye shorts, but when he was in one, he was usually the focal point of the cartoon. He certainly comes off better here than either Popeye or Bluto. That Olive can leave an infant in the tender "care" of those two is proof that she's not a Rhodes scholar. Fascinating visuals, as always, and a good script make this cartoon worth watching. Recommended.