Seein' Red, White 'n' Blue

Seein' Red, White 'n' Blue (1943)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Popeye is a member of the draft board when Bluto comes in trying to fake an illness so he can stay out of the military. Before all of that can happen some Japanese soldiers attack.

Obviously there are some racial stereotypes on display in this short but it's fair to remember that this was made during WWII when Japan was our enemy so seeing exaggerations of them was something that American crowds would find entertaining and funny. As far as the actual film goes, it's pretty good for what it is but there's no question that it's not in the upper tier of the series. The highlight is when Bluto is faking his illness and a "woman" comes in. The animation is good throughout but the film could have used some more laughs.

"Seein' Red, White 'n' Blue" was one of many Popeyes filmed during World War II to spoof some aspect of the War. Bluto suggested one, interestingly enough, of many young Americans who, despite the fact that the War WAS morally AND politically supportable, was not willing to fight in it. (Many guys just did not want to be wrenched away from homes, girls, wives, mothers, etc.) While working as a blacksmith, he got a letter from the President, ordering him to report for induction. People DID still earn their livings as blacksmiths in the Forties; apparently, such were not entitled to 2-A, 2-B or other deferment based on occupation. Bluto growled that they can't make me serve, but the letter from the President read OH YES WE CAN! He reported, Popeye being on draft-board duty, claiming medical unfitness (to get a 4-F) but Popeye saw through it. Then Bluto tried to get himself injured; that also backfired. Bluto then declared "I'll never sign up. Never!" So, Popeye and Bluto visited an orphanage. Was Bluto assigned to this instead, as he objected to military service? (When America had a draft, registrants with religious objections WERE assigned to orphanages, old-people's homes, etc. as civilian alternative service.) The five "cute little orphinks" that Popeye saw were really Japanese spies! Popeye and Bluto BOTH ate spinach and made short work of the Japanese, landing them behind bars (after a sign was posted saying "Is there a doctor in the house?" with "doctor" replaced by "undertaker"). Bluto FINALLY agreed to serve. Being a peanut brain, he could not spell his own name, so asked "How do you spell Bluto?", to which the Japs replied in close harmony "B-L-U-T-O!" I do NOT believe that this Popeye was meant to insult Orientals! Some have regarded it as childish; I see it as an AMUSING spoof of a war that DID have to be fought.

Will admit to preferring, as far as Popeye cartoons go, Fleischer Studios' output throughout the 30s. Find that they 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 from the early 40s onwards.

Am not implying here that Famous Studios' output isn't good. Much of it is actually, though 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), the stories being far less imaginative and the humour not as plentiful or imaginative, also with it being more amusing than hilarious. With that being said, most of them were among the studio's better efforts in an increasingly variable output, being still funny and with great character interaction and even better music as well as some successful changes of pace. Definitely better than the later Herman and Katnip and later Casper cartoons.

Although a perfectly reasonable World War II Popeye cartoon, 'Seein Red, White and Blue' is still not one of the best representations of Popeye. The best Popeye cartoons are great to classic, this fits under the pretty decent distinction.

'Seein Red White and Blue' is not perfect. It is occasionally a little on the heavy-handed side, it is not very imaginative in terms of story and some of the humour is slightly childish and could have had more surprises.

Inevitably there are stereotypes, and they are not for the easily offended. Would have liked to have had the supporting characters given more interesting things to do.

The conflict however is reasonably strong here, with enough of the supporting characters being far from bland and serving their purpose well (though there are definitely more interesting supporting characters in Popeye cartoons). Popeye is, as in the other wartime Popeye cartoons, easy to like and amusing as well as resourceful and brave, he seems comfortable and fits well in the setting here. Bluto is just as funny and perhaps even more interesting.

Writing-wise, there is very funny material in 'Seein Red, White and Blue' 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. Regarding any surprises, the change of pace with the spinach was the most noticeable one.

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. As always with the Popeye cartoons the music is of outstanding quality, 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. The voice work for Bluto is good, but do prefer William Pennell, Jackson Beck and Gus Wickie.

Concluding, decent. 6/10 Bethany Cox

Of all the propaganda cartoons made during the WWII, those made by Paramount always seemed to me the most childish and offensive, and with this one is no exception. Recorded one year after the nip-away extravaganza "You're a sap, Mr. Jap, this one shows Bluto ,the once world most extra ordinary fellow as the brave Sinbad, trying at any cost to escape from drafting. Just like on those shorts where him and Popeye wants to get broken to be hospitalized by Olive, here he tries to get horribly injuried and not get drafted.He eventually succeeds on that, but as usual the Patriotism hits him in the heart when he sees Pop being slaughtered by five stereotypical japs. Here the good minutes of the short begins. Popeye wakes up, chomps his spinach, makes Bluto swallow the can and they transform into the Fist of Justice, butchers the nips, give Mr. Hirohito his last waltz, then obviously go sock Adolf"Peeeeeeeee-yooooooooooo" Hitler (the most ridiculous Adolf caricature ever made). At the ending Bluto agrees with being drafted. After all the caricatures and the unimaginative plot, this one is somewhat cool to see, even being a little childish at times.

7 outta 10.

Bluto is being drafted to be in the navy. I love it when he gets the letter: 'who do I know that can write?'. But he really doesn't feel patriotic and when he comes to the office of navy draftsman Popeye he acts like he's unfit to join. When that doesn't work he tries to be hurt in several ways so he won't have to go into the navy.

But things complicate as he sees Popeye being kicked around by some Japanese, and without thinking (literally) he helps Popeye defeat them (but not without the help of the well-known spinache), and finally signs in anyway.

Pretty decent propaganda with some good humour, though there have been better. I'd like to give it a 6/10.