The Spinach Overture

Spinach Overture, The (1935)

** (out of 4)

Popeye is trying to lead his band to play a new song but he keeps messing up so Bluto steps in to try and show him up but soon Popeye is taking some spinach and coming out on top. This here is probably the weakest film I've seen in the series as I felt it ran too long and really didn't have many laughs. There were a few scenes that put a smile on my face but and I honestly don't remember laughing once. The fighting between Popeye and Bluto is mainly them playing on various musical instruments and none of it comes off well.

This time it's Popeye trying to hold his own in concert hall. He has been deserted by Olive and is left behind to fend for himself. He uses spinach to become a great pianist. Of course, by this time, Bluto is conducting a symphony orchestra. It is going to end up in fisticuffs. This is a moderately entertaining feature, using a different angle.

Not only is Olive Oyl her fickle self, but so are three other members of Popeye's band, who all abandon him when Bluto shows him up as a musician. It's up to Popeye to mend his wounded pride and show that overgrown Stokowski who's who!

It all started when Popepe was conducting music with his little four-piece band which included Olive Oyl on harp; Wimpy on drums, and other guys on flute and clarinet, when they were drowned out by the neighbors next door. Those "neighbors" turn out a full orchestra, conducted by a long-haired, tuxedo- wearing Bluto

The big, hairy ape marches into Popeye's room, boots him over to the wall and says, "Let me show you how to make music." He then plays the violin, conducts the band and everything sounds 200 percent better. They have piano contest and Bluto blows him away there, too. Olive and the band leave to join Pluto. "Better practice," says a sarcastic Olive as she leaves.

It's a wonder Popeye ever stayed true to all his friends who were so disloyal to him, especially Olive.

The really funny part of this cartoon occurs after his "friends" all leave and Popeye downs a can of spinach. Presto! He is now the world's greatest piano player and conductor!

From that point, the sight gags are extremely funny (and the music is great, too!). This turned out to be another outstanding mid 1930s Popeye episode.

Popeye is conducting a quartet which includes Olive Oyl and Wimpy. Bluto and his orchestra next door are not impressed. They break out laughing at Popeye. Bluto pushes Popeye aside and takes over his quartet. Popeye tries to match Bluto and fails in an embarrassing fashion. With his musicians leaving him, Popeye brings out the spinach.

This is all about the overture from "Poet and Peasant". The last minute and a half is an epic musical performance. The earlier parts are fine although the point is that the music isn't that good. The last bit is Popeye highlight material. I feel like that's where I first saw this. It is a lot of fun.

Dave Fleischer was responsible for many gems. Ones that were amusing and charming, though over-cuteness did come through in some efforts and the stories were always pretty thin, with appealing characters, outstanding music and visuals that were inventive and with innovative animation techniques.

'The Spinach Overture' is one of the best Popeye cartoons from this period and one of my personal favourites actually of the whole series. Have always enjoyed many of the Popeye cartoons a good deal and like Popeye very much, Fleischer's efforts were always well animated and scored with lots of entertainment value and great chemistry between Popeye, Olive Oyl and Bluto. 'The Spinach Overture' has everything that makes the Popeye series so appealing in its prime era and does nothing to waste the three main characters or make them less interesting.

The story is an interesting and beautifully paced one, never being dull, if formulaic (not uncommon with the Popeye cartoons). It is a familiar premise, and wasn't new around then, but it is one of the best examples of it because of the fresh and funny execution and that there were characters worth caring for. The humour and gags make it even more entertaining, avoiding the trap of repetition. Some of the dialogue makes one smile and laugh, Olive Oyl shows a sarcastic side at one point and it's quite funny once you get over that it came from her. Music-themed cartoons is not a novel concept but it feels fresh here (maybe there was some slight bias on my part, seeing as any cartoon centred around music and especially classical immediately has me sold) and it is so exciting and fun to watch, with a snappy pace and beautifully crafted and sometimes creative visuals.

All three characters are great, though Olive Oyl is a little underused. Popeye and Bluto are spot on and their chemistry drives 'The Spinach Overture' and has so much energy. Popeye is always amusing and likeable but for me Bluto is here the funnier and more interesting character. Love the orchestras and the choice of instruments and who to play them, it is not everyday where you see Olive Oyl playing the harp.

Furthermore, the animation is beautifully drawn and with enough visual detail to not make it cluttered or static and lively and smooth movement. The music is also outstanding, lots of merry energy and lush orchestration, adding a lot to the action and making the impact even better without being too cartoonish. The musical interpolations are witty and the use of Suppe's "Poet and Peasant" is genius. Fleischer's direction is always accomplished and his style is all over it.

Voice acting is dynamic and of very good quality, especially from Jack Mercer.

Overall, wonderful. 9/10 Bethany Cox