"Popeye the Sailor: 1933-1938, Volume 1" DVD Talkback (Spoilers)

[Kolbar]

Well blow me down! Popeye arrives on DVD officially!

http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51zfEK5qH0L._SS500_.jpg
Popeye The Sailor 1933-1938 Volume 1 includes more than nine hours of cartoons -- 58 (7- to10-minute) theatrical black-and white-shorts and two two-reeler 20-minute color cartoons. Some of the most memorable shorts from the DVD are the remastered "Blow Me Down!" and a cameo appearance by Betty Boop dressed as a hula dancer in the 1933 "Popeye the Sailor" cartoon, the short in which Popeye made his first animated appearance. The four-Disc DVD set also includes the Academy Award-nominated "Popeye The Sailor Meets Sindbad the Sailor" and more than five hours of incredible bonus features, including:


Popeye Commentaries - Including historians, animators, and filmakers
"Behind the Toons" - These featurettes are in depth looks at select cartoons, characters, and creators
"I Yam What I Am: The Story of Popeye the Sailor Man" - All-new documentary
"The Evolution of Animation: The History of the Fleischer Studios" - All-new documentary
"Max Fleischer and the New York Style" - All-new documentary
Bonus Popeye Shorts - Including "Let's Sing with Popeye" and "Popular Science"
Bonus Fleischer Cartoons - Including "Poor Cinderella," "Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy," and "Superman"Also check out GAC's discussion (http://forums.goldenagecartoons.com/showthread.php?t=9646).

Comments?

[Super Leviathan]

Actually, the Bonus shorts are about a Dozen silent films (both Fleischer and non-Fleischer). Poor Cinderella, etc. was an error on Warner Bros' part.

[TnAdct1]

Actually, the Bonus shorts are about a Dozen silent films (both Fleischer and non-Fleischer). Poor Cinderella, etc. was an error on Warner Bros' part. Two possible ideas about Poor Cinderalla, etc., (with me asking about it on the GAC boards if those shorts are indeed on the disc):


1. Those shorts were added at the last minute;
2. Those shorts were originally planned to appear on the disc, but were dropped due to certain reasons (although I think all those titles are in the public domain).

[Lord Dalek]

2. Those shorts were originally planned to appear on the disc, but were dropped due to certain reasons (although I think all those titles are in the public domain).But the best quality elements sadly are not.

[Kolbar]

I got to Best Buy this morning at 10 and they had 7 of them out for sale. I had to look for the one that looked the least beat up as most of them had major dents in them. The cover price was at $59.99 but it only came out to be around $50. When I got home, I opened it, and the box was kind of beat up and distorted.

http://www.hbshows.com/images/popeye/popeye1_small.jpg http://www.hbshows.com/images/popeye/popeye2_small.jpg
http://www.hbshows.com/images/popeye/popeye4_small.jpg http://www.hbshows.com/images/popeye/popeye3_small.jpg

[Mandouga]

There's only one part about it I already don't like:

"...intended for the adult collector. May not be suitable for children."

Give me a break. I know they were made during a time when theatrical shorts were made for older viewers, but there really isn't anything bad on these shorts. Is it the collectable tin? Obviously, it CAN'T be because these are the original B&W versions. I'm sorry, but it's just stupid. My age is not the issue here, but I am nonetheless insulted by this. Really, there isn't anything that bad in terms of content, and I've already seen most of the shorts on TV (aside from being colorized and having the a.a.p logos, I believe they are relatively uncut). Oh, and I refuse to believe it's because Popeye smokes a pipe (true, Bluto is sometimes seen smoking a cigar, but still), and I especially refuse to believe it's because of Popeye's statements about women...

Oh, and another thing. I also refuse to believe that it has anything to do with Betty Boop's hula dance in the very first one (which technically was a Betty Boop short, BTW).

[TnAdct1]

There's only one part about it I already don't like:

"...intended for the adult collector. May not be suitable for children."

Give me a break. I know they were made during a time when theatrical shorts were made for older viewers, but there really isn't anything bad on these shorts. Is it the collectable tin? Obviously, it CAN'T be because these are the original B&W versions. I'm sorry, but it's just stupid. My age is not the issue here, but I am nonetheless insulted by this. Really, there isn't anything that bad in terms of content, and I've already seen most of the shorts on TV (aside from being colorized and having the a.a.p logos, I believe they are relatively uncut). Oh, and I refuse to believe it's because Popeye smokes a pipe (true, Bluto is sometimes seen smoking a cigar, but still), and I especially refuse to believe it's because of Popeye's statements about women... From the first two shorts, I can see two things that could concern parents:

1. Betty Boop's appearance in the "Popeye the Sailor Man". Since this was before she was forced to be toned down by the Hayes Code, her appearance here is somewhat raunchy (especially since it appears that the lei is the only thing that is keeping her breasts covered);

2. The depiction of the Indians in "I Yam What I Yam". You how some people like to complain about the treatment of Indian characters in old movies. :shrug:

[tailsxcream]

i cant wait to get that set.;) ;) ;)

[Joe]

There's only one part about it I already don't like:

"...intended for the adult collector. May not be suitable for children."

Give me a break. I know they were made during a time when theatrical shorts were made for older viewers, but there really isn't anything bad on these shorts. Is it the collectable tin? Obviously, it CAN'T be because these are the original B&W versions. I'm sorry, but it's just stupid. My age is not the issue here, but I am nonetheless insulted by this. Really, there isn't anything that bad in terms of content, and I've already seen most of the shorts on TV (aside from being colorized and having the a.a.p logos, I believe they are relatively uncut). Oh, and I refuse to believe it's because Popeye smokes a pipe (true, Bluto is sometimes seen smoking a cigar, but still), and I especially refuse to believe it's because of Popeye's statements about women...

Oh, and another thing. I also refuse to believe that it has anything to do with Betty Boop's hula dance in the very first one (which technically was a Betty Boop short, BTW).

Practically every Golden Age DVD collection has this on the back of the box. Woody Woodpecker has it, Looney Tunes has it, Tom & Jerry has it. Having bought this excellent set recently, I noticed there is also a disclaimer on every disc saying the cartoons may depict "racial, sexist, and ethnic prejudices." At least Whoopi Goldberg isnt present...

I pretty much agree that these cartoons are good for all ages. It bugs me that these disclaimers are deemed necessary, but I'ver learned to live with it. Warner Bros. are just covering themselves from any lawsuit from people with absolutely no sense of humor or those with extremely puritan standards that may find any off-color joke "offensive."

African American characatures are rare in Popeye cartoons, but they do existin a couple. There is also a sole blackface gag in "My Artistic Temperature". A documentary in the extras shows footage of Popeyes future spats with the Japanese Navy with Japanese characatures (whose faces actually look a bit like Bluto's with a shave). Since the ninties, its been pretty much standard to consider any cartoon characatures of other minorities offensive, so depictions of Indians, Mexicans, Arabians, etc offensive, no matter how harmless they appear on screen.

Also, there are probably feminists out there that may be offended by Olive Oyl taking abuse from Bluto or some other ruffian. There is also some (minor) off-color stuff in the silent shorts and the documentary "Forging the Frame: The Roots of Animation 1900-1920"

Most of these cartoons I've never seen up till now, so I'm not sure about TV cuts.

[Mandouga]

At least Whoopi Goldberg isnt present...

Meaning?...

[jcorey3]

they ran a "sponsored by" plug for the Popeye set at the end of Jeopardy. Warners at least plugging it to folks that might remember the cartoon.

Also it's better to put the warning on the back of the box so in case a parent puts it on and then acts shocked that they showed their kid a violent cartoon, The guys at WHV can say, "Did you not read the box, lady?"

[DarkKnight]

Meaning?...

the stupid whoopi goldberg introductions on the looney tunes dvd's

[Mek]

2. The depiction of the Indians in "I Yam What I Yam". You how some people like to complain about the treatment of Indian characters in old movies.

I'm not a bleeding heart liberal (but I play one on TV) or anything, but that particular cartoon was pretty tasteless IMHO. Sure, I'm WELL aware of the time period these were made in -so don't club me over the head for being 'too sensitive'- but it doesn't make it any less tacky. =/

[PeppeRaskell1]

I still want this DVD, but can't find it at the local Wal-Mart.

A trip to Best Buy is definitely in my future...if they haven't sold all the tin-box Popeye sets yet.

BTW, are the shorts Learn Polikeness and The Dance Contest on this set?
Those are my favorite Popeye shorts.

[TnAdct1]

I still want this DVD, but can't find it at the local Wal-Mart.

A trip to Best Buy is definitely in my future...if they haven't sold all the tin-box Popeye sets yet.

BTW, are the shorts Learn Polikeness and The Dance Contest on this set?
Those are my favorite Popeye shorts. Not sure about "The Dance Contest", but "Learn Polikeness" is indeed on the set.

[Dub]

I'm not a bleeding heart liberal (but I play one on TV) or anything, but that particular cartoon was pretty tasteless IMHO. Sure, I'm WELL aware of the time period these were made in -so don't club me over the head for being 'too sensitive'- but it doesn't make it any less tacky. =/


Don't worry - I kinda thought the same thing when I saw "You're a Sap Mr. Jap" for the first time. I honestly thought the death scene in that was the most single disturbing thing I'd ever seen in a classic cartoon period - and I'm well away of the time period too, especially given that it was wartime, but hot damn all the same. XD

[Toony Loon]

I just bought it. It's great.The restorations are amazing, and the special features are awesome! I have no complaints. :anime:

[Dr. Dave]

I've only been able to get through the first disk so far, but I'm impressed. The old prints never looked better. :D

[Anarky]

sunuva...a tin box edition???
I just got my regular edition from deepdiscount today.

I'll check out my local BBs to see if there are any on hand...not beaten up. That's the trouble I have w/ the WDW Chronological Donald Duck tins.

[Wanted]

I'll forgo the tin... it would just look odd on my shelf.

And, by the time I get it, there won't be any tins left. That doesn't help.

[RedNinja84]

Not sure about "The Dance Contest", but "Learn Polikeness" is indeed on the set.

The "Dance Contest" is on Disc 2.

[Wussycat]

There's only one part about it I already don't like:

"...intended for the adult collector. May not be suitable for children."

Give me a break. I know they were made during a time when theatrical shorts were made for older viewers, but there really isn't anything bad on these shorts. Is it the collectable tin? Obviously, it CAN'T be because these are the original B&W versions. I'm sorry, but it's just stupid. My age is not the issue here, but I am nonetheless insulted by this. Really, there isn't anything that bad in terms of content, and I've already seen most of the shorts on TV (aside from being colorized and having the a.a.p logos, I believe they are relatively uncut). Oh, and I refuse to believe it's because Popeye smokes a pipe (true, Bluto is sometimes seen smoking a cigar, but still), and I especially refuse to believe it's because of Popeye's statements about women...

Oh, and another thing. I also refuse to believe that it has anything to do with Betty Boop's hula dance in the very first one (which technically was a Betty Boop short, BTW).

Maybe the short with Betty Boop still includes the hidden frames Betty Boop cartoons are famous for?

[snowpeck]

It's likely the various ethnic stereotypes (Native Americans, Arabs, etc)


Greg

[Anarky]

ethnic charicatures were commonplace in that era.
I noticed a few incidental extras in some of the early Woody Woodpecker shorts I watched this weekend.

The studios should acknowledge this and fully disclose that, unfortunately, there will be unflattering ethnic charicatures featured in these shorts.

now, I had purchased this title from deepdiscount...but then I learned of the tin set at Best Buy so I went down to my local BB and got my tin edition. Now I'll have to send my standard issue back to deep for credit on a future purchase.

I'm going to check out a few toons tonight before The 4400.

[veemonjosh]

Maybe the short with Betty Boop still includes the hidden frames Betty Boop cartoons are famous for?

Hidden....frames? :confused:

[SirLemming]

It's likely the various ethnic stereotypes (Native Americans, Arabs, etc)

Some stuff in the Ali Baba "feature length" toon could certainly be perceived as Arab stereotyping. The aforementioned documentary clip of the anti-Japanese WWII cartoon also qualifies. And let's not forget Big Chief Uhgamugmug, who gotta have a squaw.

Furthermore, watching these again, Popeye really goes to extremes quite often to accomplish simple goals, especially in most of the episodes on the first disc. He's not what would be perceived as a good role model for kids these days, and perhaps he wasn't even an amazing role model back then either. For example, in the span of one episode he demolishes a construction site, knocks unconscious the entire enrollment of a music school, sinks a large cruiser, destroys an intersection's worth of cars, and murders Harpo Marx, all because they were making too much noise around the baby. He also lets the baby smoke his pipe briefly. This seems especially excessive due to the fact that he could have simply walked past all of these situations and gotten the baby out of earshot rather quickly.

But of course, that's also what I love about these.

Tonight we watched "A Dream Walking" (finishing up disc 1) and the commentary on it. The commentary was a very good analysis of this particularly well-animated episode.

[sdp]

I'd rather they have a warning than editing the "offensive" content. I was never a big Popeye fan though I was very tempted to get it. but I couldn't justify the price for something I'm not a huge fan of and I could get cheaper. I'll probably get it sometime in the not so near future but I did buy one of those cheap public domain toons with a bunch of popeye to get my fix.