The 1950s was not the best decade for the Popeye theatrical series or Famous Studios, the early-50s efforts being better and a little more consistent than those from the late-50s. The less polished animation quality, lower gag count and varying effectiveness of them and less fresh stories being the primary reasons for the inferior quality, compared to several of the 40s Famous Studios Popeye cartoons and Fleischer Studios' output.
1950's 'Baby Wants Spinach', seeing the return of Little Swee'Pea for the first time since 'Baby Wants a Bottleship', is another colour remake from the Popeye theatrical series. This time it is remade from 1936's 'Little Swee'Pea' (the character's debut), a very good cartoon from a great year for the Popeye series in one of its, and of Fleischer Studios', best periods. Was very worried about 'Baby Wants Spinach' being pointless and that it would lose everything that made 'Little Swee'Pea' work so well. On the most part though, it's pretty good, not the best of the series' colour remakes and definitely not as good as the cartoon it's remade from but not one of the worst.
'Baby Wants Spinach' may not have the same amount of freshness that 'Little Swee'Pea' had, the material is all present and correct, the original gags are well executed and good fun. But the extra vim, vigour and vitality that was there before is not always there here in 'Baby Wants Spinach', due to knowing what's going to happen next.
Often there was throughout the series the annoying habit of giving Olive little material or screen time and making what she has forgettable, especially in the Famous Studios efforts. That's the case in 'Baby Wants Spinach'.
Popeye and Swee'Pea (here redesigned) are dead on. Popeye is very easy to like and is is amusing yet easy to feel sympathy for, but despite being a baby Swee Pea manages to be an even more interesting character, avoiding being obnoxious or too cute and is both adorable and funny. Their chemistry/interaction was essential for 'Baby Wants Spinach' to work and sparkles.
There are many clever and very amusing and beautifully timed gags (if not quite as hilarious this time around), the cartoon is hardly short-changed in this regard. A highlight is the sequence with the hippo. The asides and mumblings are even funnier and helped by Jack Mercer's ever genius vocal delivery, just wish there was more.
Regarding the animation, it is very good and among the better looking 1950 Popeye cartoons. It's beautifully drawn and with immaculate visual detail, that doesn't ever feel cluttered or static, and lively and smooth movement. The music likewise, lots of merry energy and lush orchestration, adding a lot to the action and making the impact even better without being too cartoonish.
Jack Mercer easily steals the show when it comes to the voice acting, for all the above reasons.
Not great overall, but nice job on the whole. 7/10.
