You're a Sap, Mr. Jap

Am somebody who likes to love a vast majority of the Popeye cartoons and likes the character himself. A likeable character whose chemistry and animosity with Bluto one that drives the cartoons with such fun and energy, always a highlight. Do have a preference for the Fleischer era cartoons, that are generally funnier, more imaginative and of higher quality, though many of the Famous Studio offerings entertain, just inferior in quality.

'You're a Sap, Mr Jap' is not one of my favourite Popeye cartoons, nowhere near so. 'You're a Sap, Mr Jap' is amusing and well made, and do appreciate what it aimed to do, which was done reasonably well if not completely successfully. It is one of those cartoons that is not going to appeal to all and be easy to criticise, but as a cartoon and product of its time it is intriguing.

There are many good things. It is well made visually, the backgrounds have lost none of the meticulous attention to detail, it's fluid, Popeye still looks good and is recognisable in design and the shading has atmosphere. Every bit as good is the lively and lushly orchestrated music score, that has character and adds a lot to the action and enhances it.

Popeye is amusing and likeable still, he is convincing as a single character taking on a much larger army, and Jack Mercer doesn't disappoint with the voice acting. There are a lot of dialogue and gags that are timed beautifully and are very funny and the energy doesn't let up. It is not a dull cartoon and has good intentions.

It does fall into the trap that a wartime cartoon has danger falling into and has fallen into, it does get rather too heavy-handed and lays what it's trying to say too thick. Other cartoon characters have worked and gelled better in a wartime setting, for Popeye it feels too on the serious and out of character side. Just my thoughts on this.

Furthermore, 'You're a Sap, Mr Jap' is not for those easily offended. Even for somebody judging it as a product of its time, the Japanese are stereotypically drawn and characterised and not only will it not bode well it also doesn't hold up. For Popeye, 'You're a Sap, Mr Jap' is on the bland side, it is great to have a change of pace where the usual characters and conflict are not seen and numerous Popeye cartoons have done this very well, but part of me did miss the zaniness and imagination of the best Popeye cartoons and the conflict lacking. Didn't find the Japanese strong enough as characters.

Concluding, interesting and not bad at all but left me a bit conflicted. 6/10 Bethany Cox

If you are very sensitive when it comes to extreme racial stereotypes, this cartoon is not for you. But if you are strongly interested in seeing a rare piece of wartime animation, come on in!

In this cartoon, Popeye is patrolling the seas and discovers what looks like a Japanese fishing boat. The two Japanese fishermen trick Popeye into thinking that they want a peace treaty signed. But looks can be deceiving; the fishing boat turns out to be a Japanese navy ship! What follows is considered today to be morale-boosting propaganda.

Be forewarned, the representations of the Japanese in the film are done in a mean-spirited fashion. Keep in mind, though, that there was a war going on at the time. But I strongly recommend this cartoon to those who are interested in the WWII era.

This World War II Popeye cartoon had some very good sight gags in it, and its decidedly above-average for its genre. It was nicely drawn, too, with some great angles, good detail and....well, lots of interesting sights.

What it amounts to is Popeye out at sea in his little boat and accidentally running into a small Japanese boat, with two guys on it. (Incidentally, why were the "Japs" always pictured with big, round glasses and bucked teeth?).

Anyway, these harmless-looking Japanese sailors want Popeye to sign a peace treaty. Oh, boy, thinks the gullible Popeye, "wait until the Admiral sees this!" In one of those great artwork scenes I was alluding to above, we slowly see how that little Japanese ship is really a big destroyer.....and Popeye is in deep....um, water! "Why, you double-crossing Ja-pansies!," yells our Sailor Man.

How he gets out of the situation is fun to watch.

This short was the first short released by Paramount Famous Studios and was one of several done by the studio showing Popeye engaged directly against the enemy, most often the Japanese. While Warner Brothers, Disney and, to a lesser extent, other studios, did shorts often depicting Germans as foils, the majority of Famous Studios efforts focused on the Japanese. Given Pearl Harbor and Popeye's naval ties, this is quite understandable. This is an average short. Seein' Red, White an' Blue and Spinach For Britain have aged better. But it's still worth watching. Recommended.

'You're a sap, Mr. Jap, to make a Yankee cranky - You're a sap, Mr. Jap, Uncle Sam is gonna spank you!'

It's with these words this short propaganda movie starring Popeye starts. Popeye's ship happens to meet up with a japanese war ship. At first, the Japanese pretend they want to make peace with him, only to try and kill him behind his back. But Popeye (finally) finds out what they are doing and starts his own private war. Which he wins, but that will come to you as no surprise.

Short comedy provides some laughs but it's not the best WWII propaganda ever made (not the worst either), although it always occurred to me Popeye probably is the most convincing character taking on a whole army of the enemy.

6/10.