For Better or Worser

WHATEVER THE PARTICULAR title, one can always rely on two things in a Max Fleischer/Paramount cartoon short: 1) There will be great use of the characters' interaction; which is usually just about over the same situation, the "Eternal Triangle" between Popeye, Olive Oyl and interloper, Bluto. 2) We will have very little to zero in the area of continuity with any previous entries of the film series.

FOR THESE TINY transgressions and departures from the King Features Syndicate comic strip, THIMBLE THEATER/POPEYE by E.C. Segar, we can grant our forgiveness. Any adaptations that were used for sake of expediency of story line in the one reel, self-contained story-lines were both minor and necessary.

IN THIS INSTALLMENT, we find our hero living inn a Men Only Bachelor residence, struggling with the multi-tasking chores of housekeeping. His answer, go to the local Matrimonial Service and find a bride. At the service he runs into, you've guessed it, none other than Bluto, himself. In this and many cartoons in the series, it is if the characters were total strangers; and in this case, that goes for Miss Olive Oyl also.

INTERESTINGLY, IN THIS and many other of the Fleischer series, there are many other of Segar's characters cast in unedited, unbilled supporting roles. Here we find an unmistakably hamburger munching Wimpy cast as the Justice of the Peace. Perhaps not as obvious and far lesser in audience recognition power is Olive's former beau, Harold Hamgravy (Ham Gravy for short), who is cast as the clerk at the matrimonial service.

WITH THIS SHORT'S release, we saw the final appearance of voice actor, William Costello doing Popeye. He was replaced by animator Jack Mercer, who continued to do so right up until his death in 1984.

FOR BETTER OR WORSER is also a great example of the POPEYE Series at its very pinnacle, with 1935 marking the high water level.