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I was raised on Popeye cartoons, so it is only fitting I also to a tribute to other characters in the series. (Popeye here) … Time for Bluto!
Bluto
Large, bearded, muscle-bound antagonist to Popeye
Classic bully as he prefers brute force over strategy
Like Popeye, a sailor and attracted to Olive Oyl
Occasionally, Bluto and Popeye start at as friends
Occasionally knocked out by Olive Oyl and by Sweet Pea
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Created by Elzie Crisler in 1932
First appeared September 12, 1932 in Thimble Theater comic strip
Early Popeye cartoons had other villians
Also called Professor Bluteau and Pierre Bluto
Bluto-Brutus is a story in itself involving copyright
Here’s the first Popeye feature, which so happens to include Olive, Bluto, and Betty Boop
Also a Popeye cartoon fan. Never figured out what the two of ‘em saw in Olive though. But life’s full of mysteries.
Speaking of which, is this yours?
http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/10/12/look-out-mysterious-giant-eyeball-washes-up-on-florida-coast/
Fasab,
No kidding regarding Olive. Then again, I wonder what is in the artist’s mind.
Not my eye – but I did have it in yesterday’s OITS. Nonetheless, one big OUCH!
Thanks for commenting.
I love Popeye cartoons! Me and my two brothers would lay on the living room floor and watch them every morning, followed by Captain Kangaroo…thanks for sharing Frank!
Good Morning John in Seattle … You are up early today. Glad this post was able to take you back in time! Popeye after school (4 pm) was where I saw most of my Popeye cartoons! Thanks for commenting
How I loved the Popeye cartoons from so many years back… that can of spinach just made me sick though, hated the stuff…. sure the cartoon was backed by a vegetable farmer… just to get kids to eat spinach …
Bulldog,
Thanks for commenting.
I’m with you – loved Popeye and hated spinach. Interestingly, through the years I’ve discovered that I love raw spinach … but dislike spinach cooked … but it’s fine cooked as an ingredient. I know … strange.
These cartoon snippets bring back childhood memories. One of them being: “Eat your spinach and you can be as strong as Popeye”!
Colline,
Gosh … I wonder how many of us were told that one! Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for stopping by.
Boy the middle one I sure did get a good laugh at the end! Very funny cartton. :+) Hope your weekends going OK Frank see ya on Monday.
Starla,
Thanks for commenting.
Glad to bring a laugh with your coffee on this Saturday morning. Enjoy the rest of the weekend .. and of course good luck to your Grizzlies.
Oh, the hours I spent, a metre away eyes fixated to an already antiquated black and white television, cross legged and in pyjamas. And it was the older shows I remember more as a result of CBC not having the funds to telecast newer cartoon episodes. They were true drama, full of intrigue, a place for a young minds to escape.Now that you mention Brutus, sure he was antagonistic, a shoddy character but his character never went completely devious or diabolical. He could always be out witted, outmanoeuvred. If I recall correctly I was a little sympathetic to him as I grew older. Popeye was at times a little annoying, more hyperactive than calming, Brutus kept him grounded.
I enjoyed this.
Howl,
Oh my … the eloquence of your words! Well done. Great descriptions of the two characters. In some ways, Popeye was also a bully. (Oh the parent groups that fought showing them.) Thanks for visiting and commenting.
As far as I was concerned, Popeye was the whole reason Saturday morning existed. That was back when cartoons were only on for a few hours Saturday morning. Dang! I’m always dating myself on your blog…
Carie,
Great that you recall Popeye and gang so fondly. But, come on … I recall the day of President Kennedy’s assassination. Heck, others here were at even at Ford’s Theater! Thanks for commenting.
Haha. At least some things were before my time.
Oh, Popeye. Everyone knew that “yam what I yam”
Classic!
Ah, Popeye! That takes me back a bit, Frank! Never liked Bluto, though, for some reason… and I was surprised to see Betty Boop in that first episode!
Tom,
I think Betty was already a Fleischer star, so just as we see on television shows today in the US, stars are used to introduce new shows. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
It’s interesting to see how Bluto evolved. He was much fatter and spoke only in grunts in the Fleischer Bros cartoon, but in the Famous Studios short, he has both an actual speaking role and a waistline. I noticed that both shorts have a connection aside from the same characters — Seymour Kneitel. He was an animator on the first Popeye cartoon and he directed “The Nearlyweds”. As usual, an excellent Saturday post, Frank.
Lame,
Interesting point about Bluto’s evolution. I also wonder what drove the changes. Meanwhile, changing views of popular figures as Santa and Mickey Mouse are interesting. Meanwhile, you seem to have an interest in early animations! Thanks for sharing your insight!
Well, it taught us that life is a competition and that spinach is good for us. Thanks for bringing back memories of Saturday mornings watching cartoons! Great times!
Clan,
Rekindling memories is a purpose of this series … well, besides the fact that I enjoy doing them. Thanks for stopping by.
I look forward to everyone of your posts!
I never liked Bluto, but I guess you’re not really supposed to. He’s mean. I come by my fondness for Popeye through my dad—Popeye was his favorite cartoon as a kid when he watched cartoons at the movies.
Weebs,
Good point about Bluto because I agree – he wasn’t meant to be liked! Cheers to your dad’s influence on you toward Popeye cartoons! Thanks for commenting.
I was the weird kid whose mother wouldn’t let her watch cartoons. I know. Don’t get me started. Great post, Frank. Happy Saturday!
Hugs,
Kathy
Kathy,
Thanks for visiting.
I recall that from a previous conversation. At least you can start catching up!
The cartoon that got me to like spinach as a kid. I was soooo impressionable.
Nowdays I’ll pay you Tuesday for a burger today.
Mobius,
So you are the other person who determine to like spinach due to Popeye! Cheers to your Wimpy reference … and for that, he’s a past post about him! http://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2012/02/11/on-a-wimpy-today/ Enjoy!!!! … and thanks or commenting.
It was actually Popeye that turned me onto spinach. Still like the stuff (occasionally) to this day.
I never understood the Bluto/Brutus shift. Guess I’ll have to wait until your sequel explaining the whole story, eh?
John,
Glad Popeye’s joy of spinach worked on someone! The Bluto/Brutus involved copyrights or corporate transactions.Not sure if is worth visiting. Thanks for commenting.
I had forgotten about Bluto.
Debra,
Thanks for stopping by.
Cartoon characters shouldn’t be forgotten … on well, at least this post didn’t let you forget.
I love Popeye and these cartoons are so clever. Amazing to think all images were hand-drawn. Shame how technology has made that skill extinct xx
Spiced,
The early animators were talented and set the standard. Although technologies have changed the way things are done, many still revere the early animators. Thanks for commenting.
love the old b/w popeye cartoons when both he and bluto would kind of mumble little snide remarks semi under their breath. did you see the popeye movie with robin williams? he did about as good a job as could be expected, but i’ve heard hollywood plans to try again. we’ll see.
Rich,
Didn’t see the Popeye movie. Meanwhile, I too loved the mumbles. In the Popeye post, lots of good mumbling lines while on Goon Island! Thanks for visiting.
now i think i’m going to look it up on netflix.
I think Goon Island is on my Popeye post.
oh, i meant popeye on netflix.
Make sure you watch Goonland too on the Popeye post. Classic mumbles!
Popeye was probably my favorite cartoon. I think I could sit down and watch those cartoons right now and enjoy them almost as much as I did as a kid! And Bluto was the perfect foil! I don’t know if I ever saw any of the really early Popeye cartoons. The memory is fading….
Debra,
Glad this rekindled your Popeye memories. Meanwhile, I do remember seeing the last one because I recall the Betty Boob scene. Meanwhile, not sure how many of the old ones I’ve seen/not seen. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Always thought Popeye was pretty funny but Olive was pretty dimwitted. These were great fun, thank you.
Val,
I would agree with your assessment. Thanks for stopping by.
I was never a Popeye fan — my mother used that cartoon to try and make us eat our spinach. She failed. I can still barely swallow when it comes into contact with my tongue!
Elyse,
Cooked spinach (all to its own) is still a big no-no for me! Thanks for sharing.
Great to see Popeye and Bluto, Frank! I also loved the movie with Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall (not everyone did). Actor heavyweight Paul L. Smith was great as Bluto in the movie, he was also memorable in Midnight Express and Dune.
Lynn,
Thanks for visiting.
Glad you enjoyed this post … but I didn’t see the movie. Guess I loved the cartoon too much.
There was something about the Popeye cartoons that just sort of rubbed me the wrong way.
Interesting facts about Bluto though.
Guapo,
Thanks for stopping by.
Not into Popeye? That’s ok But hey – at least you learned something on this post.