This is the second 1940 Popeye cartoon to have Popeye's father and show the father and son chemistry that was done very well in 'My Pop, My Pop' (a good cartoon if not a great one). It is always interesting when Popeye is partnered with characters other than Olive and Bluto and quite a lot of the cartoons that don't have them are still quite good. That is of course on how good the other character is as a character and their chemistry with Popeye.
'Poopdeck Pappy' to me was a great cartoon. It is a superior one to 'My Pop, My Pop' and one of the best 1940 Popeye cartoons, second only to 'Puttin on the Act'. Proof that there were still some glimmers of light in a generally murky, but quite dark, tunnel for Fleischer Studios in the early 40s. Meaning that 1940 was not a good year for the studio, but at least the Popeye series was still watchable, even if the series had far better years overall.
Not really all that much to criticise really. It is quite slight and plot-wise it's nothing earth shattering.
However, these are minor quibbles, especially as everything else works and is done brilliantly. The animation is neatly and expressively drawn (especially with Pappy in the second half) and still very much like the work that goes into the backgrounds. The music, appropriately like its own character, is as beautifully orchestrated and characterful as ever.
It is a funnier cartoon than 'My Pop, My Pop', with more gags and ones that are sharper and funnier. Especially in the second half, where 'Poopdeck Pappy' is brimful with energy and wit. While there is a return to the gentle tone of that cartoon here, 'Poopdeck Pappy' is faster paced and is particularly lively in the climactic moments.
While Popeye is as ever amusing and likeable, Pappy steals the show and is an absolute joy. They interact so beautifully together too, even more so than with any of the cartoons with Popeye and Olive and Popeye, Olive and Bluto from 1940. Jack Mercer is again in a one man show and is typically exuberant, not many people did asides and mumblings as well as he in his day.
Overall, great. 9/10.
