1941's 'Olive's Boithday Presink' is another example of a change from the usual formula for the Popeye series. Instead of Popeye and Bluto fighting and trying to outsmart each other to achieve a certain goal or vying for Olive Oyl's affections, it has Popeye interacting with a character other than Olive and/or Bluto. There were times where he was partnered with historical/literary characters, family members and even animals. 'Olive's Boithday Presink' is an example of the third.
It is also in my view one of the better cartoons to have Popeye interacting and being partnered with an animal, in this case bears. Despite what the title may suggest, Olive doesn't actually feature at all here. It is a truly excellent cartoon, one of the best ones of 1941 and one of the few great cartoons produced in Fleischer's early 40s period, which on the whole was its worst period in a big quality decline. Not all their output from this period was below average, a lot were, with the best of the Popeye series being among the exceptions. Of which 'Olive's Boithday Presink' is one of them and one of the finest ones.
Maybe it is on the slightly slow side to begin with, but there is next to nothing wrong with this.
The animation is great for one thing. Love the attention to detail in the backgrounds and Popeye's character animation, and compared to the series in its early years to me the animation quality advanced quite a bit for Fleischer regarding the late-30s onwards Popeye cartoons. Some of it, even in the busier moments, were quite inventive. The music is another high-point, that was something that was consistently never less than excellent throughout the entire Popeye series (for both Fleischer Studios and Famous Studios). Very lush and characterful, adding a lot to the action.
Jack Mercer's voice acting is spot on, as is his priceless delivery of Popeye's mumblings and asides. Popeye is likeable and is also relatable in this situation. The bears are very compelling foils and are big in personality. The gags are many and are never less than very amusing, hilarious later on even. While the cartoon starts off slightly slow, the pace very quickly picks up. Culminating in one of the best, wildest and funniest endings of the whole Popeye series.
Absolutely excellent overall. 9/10.
