It’s Saturday morning, so this is a perfect time for a post about a cartoon. After all, did you watch cartoons on Saturday morning?
I watched many cartoons during my youth – not only on Saturday morning, but 4 pm Monday-through-Friday’s local cartoon show (Mr. Cartoon on WSAZ). I also recall going to the theater when a cartoon preceded the main feature.
Since it has been too long since I’ve posted about a classic cartoon character from my youth, I dedicate this post to one of my favorites, Popeye – and include a cartoon at the end of the post. For more tributes, visit Categories > Entertainment > Classic Cartoons or click here.
Popeye first appeared in the Thimble Theater comic strip on January 17, 1929.
Fleisher Studios adapted Thimble Theater characters for cartoon short films, which debuted in 1933 in a Betty Boop film.
Popeye has appeared in comic books, television, commercials, arcade and video games, and films.
Popeye’s one good eye is blue and his hair is red.
Popeye is 34 years old and was born in a typhoon off Santa Monica, California.
In the original comic strip, Popeye gained his extra strength not from eating spinach, but by rubbing the head of the rare Whiffle Hen.
Sammy Learner composed I’m Popeye the Sailor Man as the theme song in 1933.
753 Popeye cartoon segments exist.
Other characters include Bluto, Olive Oyl, Poopdeck Pappy, four nephews (Peepeye, Pupeye, Pipeye, and Poopeye), Wimpy, Swee’Pea (Popeye’s adopted child), Eugene the Jeep, Alice the Goon, Sea Hag with Bernard (her pet buzzard), Toar (caveman), and George W. Geezil.
Tributes
- Statues of Popeye are at Universal Orlando Resort; Crystal City, Texas; Chester, Illinois; and Alma, Arkansas
- Popeye Picnic in Chester, Illinois on the weekend after Labor Day
- Popeye is the only comic strip character honored by a special lighting celebration at the Empire State Building (January 16-18, 2004 for Popeye’s 75th anniversary)
Useful Sites
A Frank Angle 
Hi,
Oh yes I loved the Saturday morning cartoons, they are still on, but I don’t like these new cartoons much at all. I am a Popeye fan and always enjoyed watching him, thanks for posting the cartoon, I really enjoyed it.
Have a great day, I’m about to hit the sack. 😀
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Mags,
It’s Saturday night and you’re going to bed early! Well, you must have had an energetic day!
Today’s cartoons are a mere shell of the classics – well, in my opinion. Meanwhile, various parent groups proclaim classic Popeye as too violent for children. Glad you enjoyed the cartoon and thanks for visiting.
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always preferred the black and white popeye episodes. did not like the goon episodes for some reason. loved listening carefully to his side comments and subtle dialogue when he was interacting with olive or fighting bluto.
in new york in the 70’s he was featured on our afternoon show hosted by a character called officer joe bolton. he was also born in santa monica.
http://www.tvparty.com/lostny2bolton.html
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Rich,
Thanks for the great link regarding Office Joe Bolton. In that era, the local celebrities ruled!!!
Great point as Popeye did have a lot of good mumbling! I still recall a time when I was scared of the Goons – thus maybe a reason why I have a fondness for this episode. Thanks for commenting and sharing!
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thanks for bringing us things to comment on. about. say. dammit.
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How many revivals of PE? I recall one with Robin Williams in maybe about 1990? It was massive flop I think. Have there been better ones.
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Bruce,
I think the Robin Williams film was the only Popeye revival in film. Given the level of animation today, gotta wonder if Popeye will reappear. Thanks for visiting and asking.
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Oh my gosh, you took me back! 🙂 I loved Popeye – even just his name. This was PRECIOUS watching that video.
I used to read comics too – Little Lotta, Ginger Meggs, and Archie & Jughead, I think it was called. Loved it. Oh, how wonderful was this post!
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Eyes,
Welcome first-time commenter! Glad that this post was able to take you back in time – but I’ve never been a comic follower. On the other hand, I need to consider doing another cartoon character soon. Thanks for visiting and hope you return.
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Hey Frank, I am sure I’ll be back 🙂 I actually really, really like the OLD cartoons. Oh! Betty Boop too!
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Eyes,
Thanks for the Betty Boop recommendation!
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Popeye was one of my favourite cartoons. I love his character and Olive too. They sure helped get the message across that you needed to eat your spinach xx
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Spiced,
Although Popeye was one of my favorites during my youth, I hated spinach! These days, I’m a bit more tolerable, but I watch my step. Thanks for visiting.
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Popeye always gave me the creeps! Great post
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Ginger,
Oh no … say it ain’t so! Then again, I would imagine there are also classic British cartoons as well! Thanks for commenting.
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Captain Pugwash was good!
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… and I will look into the captain! Thanks.
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Heck yes I watched cartoons on Saturday mornings. It was a ritual. Luckily, I was able to see alot of the old classics like Popeye; Max Fliescher was great. Well illustrated stuff for black and white 1938.
Thanks
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Hansi,
Hooray — another classic cartoon afficienato! Thanks for commenting.
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What’s amazing is that: A) I am presently wearing a Popeye teeshirt B) I have been called Popeye throughout my life because my forearms are big C) I am actually married to Olive Oyl.
Great post!
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Les (aka Popeye),
Thanks for visiting and for sharing more reasons why everyone wants to be like you.
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Love Popeye!
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Lynn,
Cheers to a fellow Popeye lover! Thanks for visiting.
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I’d have to say bugs bunny is my favorite from when I was a kid. Then maybe Top Cat, and Underdog.
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Bruce,
That era gave us many classic characters – and you mentioned three of them. Fortunately, I have a past post about one of them. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2010/05/01/on-a-shoeshine-boy/ … enjoy … and thanks for sharing your memories!
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The cartoons on Saturday morning were the best! I used to get up at an insane hour to watch them…I remember sitting on the floor in front of the TV in the living room, wearing PJs and eating Apple Jacks. The older cartoons were always the best…Bugs Bunny, Road Runner, and yep….Popeye!
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Alex,
PJs, Apple Jacks, and cartoon – now there is a great Saturday morning. I loved the Bugs Bunny-Road Runner Hour! So many great characters of that era, thus maybe I should get back to this more. Thanks for commenting.
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I like the movie where Robin Williams plays Popeye!
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Thoughts,
Welcome first-time commenter. I admit not seeing it. Being such a Popeye fan, I recall the previews didn’t grab my attention. Oh well … glad you enjoyed it and thanks for visiting!
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Thank you for the cartoon. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Popeye. 🙂
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Robin,
It’s been too long since I did a post on cartoons. When I do them, I try to appropriately post them on Saturdays. FYI: I have another one for this Saturday. Thanks for commenting.
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I don’t think you are in the WSAZ viewing area NOW, so you must have grown up in SE Ohio. It’s a good thing Popeye became an advocate for spinach–I don’t think he could have inspired kids to eat their whiffle hens.
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John,
Oh yes .. 20 minutes from you in Meigs County. Thank for visiting.
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