Bulldozing the Bull

Bulldozing the Bull (1938)

*** (out of 4)

Popeye is offered tickets to a bullfight but he refuses them because it's "unkindly" to animals. He then sees Olive walk in so he decides to follow and before long he's in the ring with an angry bull.

BILLDOZING THE BULL is another charming short from the Fleischer boys and while it's not a classic by any stretch of the imagination it's certainly an entertaining one. As you'd expect there are plenty of great visuals throughout and there's no doubt that the animation itself is top-notch. There are several funny moments throughout but I must say that the highlight was just the wording used by Popeye to explain his displeasure of the fighting.

Popeye finds himself in front of a bull ring. He won't go in because it's cruelty to animals, but when he sees the beautiful Olive Oyl (Spanish: Senorita Aceite de Oliva) go in, he follows, and finds himself the toreador facing a fierce bull.

I'm in favor of any Fleischer Popeye cartoon, and especially when he doesn't fight Bluto. That said, this one is pretty standard for the era, with a goodly number of gags, and some typical cartoon violence, which somehow never seems to have much of an effect.

Dave Fleisher is credited as director, which he was on all of the Fleischers' sound cartoons. In fact, for cartoons, it's more akin to producing, with lead animators Willard Bowsky and George Germanetti doing the actual work.

Animal rights devotees will like this old Popeye cartoon. Popeye is dead set against bullfighting, saying it is cruel to the animalsk," or something like that. The sailor never could pronounce that word.

Anyway, he's south of the border and right outside a bullring when the ticket master feels generous and offers Popeye a free ticket to the bullfight. He turns it town, tearing up the ticket and giving the man his two cents on what he thinks of that "sport." However, when a beautiful, veiled senorita comes by (Olive, with a Spanish accent!), Popeye glues the ticket back, courtesy his pipe, and enters the arena. Immediately, since he's standing in the toreador's box ogling Olive, he's mistaken for the matador, and finds himself in the ring against some vicious bull.

The horned animal brutalizes Popeye all around the ring until the latter can get his spinach.

The uniqueness of this cartoon is the ending. It's not what you think will happen. As I said, animal lovers will like this cartoon.....especially that unforeseen ending!

Let me state at the outset that when it comes to bullfighting, my sympathies are entirely with the bull and anyone foolish enough to to get in the ring with one for "sport" deserves whatever happens to him. End of sermon.

Here we have a very reluctant Popeye essentially drafted by default into the position of matador by being in the wrong place at the wrong time by virtue of his flirtation with Olive. This is a bullfight, Popeye style. A great cartoon, with snappy dialogue, typically fine animation and the inimitable Jack Mercer and a fine time is had by all. One of the more inventive ways for Popeye to get ahold of his spinach fix, so as to emerge once again covered in victory, is seen here. One of my favorite Popeye shorts. Originally done in black and white, there is also a colorized version. While the color version is okay, the black and white is better. Well worth seeking out. Most recommended.

Popeye is passing by the bull fighting arena. He sees bull fighting as unkindness to animals. All that changes when Olive Oyl goes into the arena. Popeye rushes to follow her. He is mistaken for the toreador and gets thrown into the arena. Only he doesn't want to hurt the bull. Right off the bat, he snaps his swords in half.

This is a Popeye for the Peta crowd although there is some bull punching. Nevertheless, the inevitable conclusion should be very pleasing to that crowd. I do like this for Popeye. It also works well as a cartoon. The animal loving do come and go over the years for Popeye.