Hospitaliky

Hospitaliky (1937)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Highly entertaining short has Popeye and Bluto following Nurse Olive Oyl into the hospital. The men pretend to be sick to try and get her attention but she chews them out explaining that the hospital is for injured people only. The two then set out to get really hurt so they can go to the hospital.

This here is certainly one of the best shorts in the series as there are a great number of laughs, some creative injury attempts and plenty of violence. Obviously one has to wonder why either man would put themselves into so much pain for Olive Oyl but whatever. As far as this short goes it's a great one with non-stop laughs and plenty of action. There's a great scene with Bluto trying to have a safe fall on his head as well as another where he and Popeye fight over who gets to get hit by a train.

Popeye and Bluto spot Olive Oyl in a nurse's uniform going into a hospital. They pretend to be sick, but apparently you need to be at death's door to get into this joint, so they try to just-shy-of-kill themselves.

Movie comedies about suicidal people were long popular, at least as far back as 1906's LE PENDU. There's a lot of ways for the boys to self-massacre, and they choose some interesting ones. However the final method, the one of that works, is unique to this cartoon series, and I should have seen it coming but did not. Kudos on that.

There are also plenty of other gags on view. Director Dave Fleischer like to pack them in.

Fleischer Studios' cartoons more often than not amused and charmed and were always well made. Not without over-cuteness at times and stories were seldom a strong suit, but they were always made up for significantly in appealing characters, outstanding music and visuals that were inventive and with innovative animation techniques.

Of the 1937 Popeye cartoons, 'Hospitaliky' agreed is one of the best, among the best Fleischer cartoons and is one of the best Popeye cartoons overall. If there was a list for classic Popeye cartoons, 'Hospitaliky' undoubtedly would be on it. It has everything that makes the Popeye series so appealing in its prime era and Popeye, Olive Oyl and Bluto are all on top form. While the good animation, even better music scoring, entertainment value, spot on character writing and chemistry between the leads.

The chemistry between the three characters really shines in 'Hospitaliky', especially as ever between Popeye and Bluto. Their chemistry is pretty legendary and drives the Popeye cartoons when they are together, which they are a lot though there have been effective changes of pace. One can see why that is the case, the energy between the two sparkles. Popeye is immensely entertaining and likeable while Bluto is every bit his equal. Would have liked to have seen more of Olive though.

If reading the premise, one would naturally think this is absurd. Thinking how to make something funny out of going to great lengths to be admitted to hospital just for love, when hospitals are among many people's least favourite places. Including me with it over the past eight years being a familiar place for me, while having great respect for everybody in the medical profession. 'Hospitality' manages to do so, brilliantly with remarkably fresh execution and non-stop energy and entertainment value. The story is not too formulaic and boasts a clever ending. Lots of gags spot on in timing, with not a misfire in the lot. Particularly effective in the laughs department are the truly creative injury attempts of Popeye and Bluto and Popeye's asides and mumblings, what could have been irritating manages to be something of an art form.

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, especially from Jack Mercer. Though nobody voiced Olive better than her most frequent voice actress Mae Questel and Gus Wickie has the right amount of menace for Bluto.

Summarising, a great cartoon and one of the best from this period. 9/10

This short has Popeye and Bluto trying extremely hard to get admitted to a hospital. I try very hard to avoid them myself, so I fail to see the attraction. But the animation is good, the gags are funny and Popeye's mutterings and asides are a scream, as always. The funniest jokes are often those little muttered comments Jack Mercer would make. They're particularly good in this one. Well worth watching. Recommended.

One of my favorite Popeye shorts is from 1937. Despite my 9 out of 10 rating, I really enjoy this cartoon and consider it another favorite of mine.

In this short, oh boy! How can men be so foolish in their attempts to impress women? I mean, Popeye and Bluto go to colossal lengths to impress Olive Oyl, trying wild stunts like skydiving and crashing a scooter into a wall. Olive Oyl is working as a nurse at the hospital. Please keep in mind that professional "toons" perform these stunts, and you should not attempt them at home. Stay safe, and enjoy this cartoon!

I love how Popeye pretends to be sick with hilarious fits. I enjoy the humor and creativity in the story, especially the unexpected twist at the end with the spinach-eating scene. So overall, it is another marvelous Popeye short from 1937.