Alpine for You

As well as the numerous colour remakes of near-classic/classic Popeye cartoons from the (superior) Fleischer period and cartoons with reused footage (which varied), Famous Studios also did some semi-remakes. 1951's 'Alpine for You' is one of those semi-remakes, this time one of one of the best Popeye cartoons 'I-Ski, Love-Ski, You Ski'. Have found that the colour remakes/semi-remakes don't always quite have the same spark of their originals, but that is not the case with all.

One of those cartoons where for me it was not the case is 'Alpine for You'. It does help hugely that the original material is so good that it would be very difficult to ruin it or lessen its impact. While liking the Popeye vs Bluto vying for Olive's love formula on the whole and it certainly served the series well for a while, it did start to lose its freshness in the late Famous Studios output. Having said that, 'Alpine for You' didn't have that sense and it is not just among the best of the 50s Famous Studios cartoons (early-50s and of that decade it's among too the best of the Famous Studios cartoons.

Sure the story is standard, though the entertainment value and liveliness made up for that, and Olive is underused (not unexpected, she always was when it was she, Popeye and Bluto).

However, the animation is bright and colourful with some lovely rich background detail. The character animation is smooth and expressive enough too, especially in the physical comedy and the use of the logo (which is indeed creative). Music is outstanding throughout, very luscious and characterful. Not to mention Popeye's climbing.

Popeye is as amusing and likeable as ever and Bluto is a formidable and every bit as entertaining adversary. Love their chemistry together, which is full of wit and energy. The voice acting is reliably fine, Jack Mercer is the definitive Popeye and while there has always been a preference for Gus Wickie (a lot of people's personal favourite Bluto voice actor) Jackson Beck is both menacing and robust. Like Mercer for Popeye, Mae Questel was the most popular and frequently used voice for Olive and for me she is the only Olive that does anything for me and the only one to fit the character design.

Gags and verbal humour are aplenty, all hit and many are hilarious. The climax is wildly imaginative and hysterical, possibly my favourite climax of the early 50s Popeye cartoons.

Concluding, excellent. 9/10.

Popeye is climbing the alps carrying along Olive Oyl. Bluto is the self-declared world famous mountain guide. Bluto keeps sabotaging Popeye and raising Olive's desire for a guide. It's the classic Popeye trio and their standard story. It's a Famous Studios production and one of their better ones.

In this Popeye short, Popeye & Olive are mountain climbers. Olive is taking photographs of all there is to see,while Popeye does all of the grunt work. Bluto as a tour guide,tries to convince Olive that they need a professional,but Popeye couldn't care less for Bluto's service. Most of the short is Bluto,trying to get Olive away from Popeye. Does Bluto win out? Watch & decide for yourself. Jack Mercer,in addition to providing Popeye's voice,also co-wrote the episode (Mercer,in addition to writing,or co-writing a number of the Popeye shorts, actually started out as a staff writer for Paramont's short subjects division as the sound era just kicked in),along with series regulars, Jackson Beck (Bluto),and Mae Questal (Olive). Funny,but pretty much standard Popeye fare from Famous Studios (but does make creative use of the Paramont logo at film's conclusion). Can be seen at various times on Cartoon Networks sister station,Boomerang at various times (check your local listings for air times & cable provider). Pre ratings.

What? That's not a change? No it isn't. I was being ironic, and it is the almost unvarying plot of the long-running Popeye cartoons that makes me dislike them. Everyone involved is very professional, and Jackson Beck overlays a French accent over his Bluto voice. But eventually we know that Bluto will knock out Popeye, then Popeye will eat some spinach and knock out Bluto.

Good background art and standard gags.