It's the Natural Thing to Do

This episode in the Fleischer's Popeye series doesn't waste any time. It starts with Popeye and Bluto fighting in the yard when Olive receives a telegram asking them to cut out the rough stuff. So the three of them abandon their usual clothes and awkwardly join Olive for afternoon tea.

It's a very meta episode of the series, and becomes something of a comedy of embarrassment, far from the usual range of the series, with a maid serving piles of food and t everyone talking about conversing, while Olive breaks in occasionally to note that it's the natural thing to do.

It's a commentary about the then-current fad of claiming that good manners were merely being natural. It might be for some people, but for Popeye and Bluto, the natural thing to do is to beat the tar out of each other.

It's the Natural Thing to Do (1939)

*** (out of 4)

Popeye and Bluto are involved in a violent fight when Olive receives a telegram from the Popeye Fan Club. The telegram asks the three to quit fighting so much and act more mature. The three decides to give it a try.

I'm sure there were some complaints from people back in the day. I'm sure there were some who thought these cartoons were a bit too violent and sent the wrong message at times so it's pretty funny seeing this short address that issue. Of course, it's all done in a funny way as the three characters were really stupid when it came to acting normal. The title song is certainly the highlight of the film as Olive really gets to shine. The rest of the film is certainly entertaining but the laughs aren't as big as the sarcasm.

Here's a different twist from the normal Popeye cartoon: we see a telegram delivered to Popeye, Bluto and Olive Oyl after the first minute of the cartoon. It reads: "We like your pictures but wish you'd cut out the rough stuff once in a while and act more refined. Be ladies and gentlemen. That's the natural thing to do. Signed, The Popeye Fan Club. P.S. Now go on with the picture."

Bluto and Popeye had been beating the you-know-what out of each other while Olive was inside in the kitchen when the telegram arrived. All three of them read it outside in the backyard where the boys were going at it tooth-and-nail.

Olive tells the boys to come back later as gentlemen. From that point, the cartoon is hilarious, a real hoot. I begin to mention all the sight gags in here, right from the opening scene with the two boys, dressed in tuxes and top hats strutting up the walkway to the insane, wild finish. Olive is dressed to the hilt, too, and actually looks good!

How long everyone can stay on their good behavior is the big question here and you just know they are all going to snap any minute. This is a very good cartoon....the Fleischer brothers at their zaniest. It even incorporates the title as a song as all three people sing a verse or two of it!

A telegram from fans changing the rules in the relation between popeye, Bluto and Olive Oyle. But to be polite is far to be an easy stuff. So, the games to wars resurrected.

Olive receives a telegram from a Popeye fan who is upset with the violence. It asks that the three of them become more refined. What happens is Popeye and Bluto make a concerted effort to make nice. We know that will be short lived, especially when they start to get bored with their efforts. Olive is as bad as they are when it comes to the craziness.