Really liked to love a vast majority of Fleischer Studios' Popeye output, especially the best of those from 1935-1938. Famous Studios', taking over from 1942 until the series ended in 1957, was a little more variable, but all their cartoons for the series were watchable. 1946's output was not a consistent one and not in the same league as the late-30s cartoons but it was overall decent and during the war output was also well worth watching.
1947 also saw an overall decent but never quite outstanding perhaps group of Popeye cartoon. 'Abusement Park' started this group off, and it is on the most part another Popeye cartoon that was pretty decent but nothing exceptional. When you compare that to how great the best of the Fleischer output was it is a touch disappointing though not a bad position at all to be in. A lot of great things here, although they had been done better before.
To me, as is common with the series Olive has very little to do, and her material and her character are not near as funny or as interesting as Popeye and Bluto. The surprises and freshness are present more in other Popeye cartoons, especially previous ones but even some since too, with an outcome that is easily predicted too soon.
Jack Mercer not voicing Popeye takes getting used to and, despite giving it his best shot, Harry Welch never completely clicked with me when replacing him. He does amuse and Popeye is as likeable as ever, but Mercer did quite a lot more with the asides and mumblings and sounded like he was enjoying doing it more.
Popeye though is as amusing and likeable, while Bluto on villain duty is even funnier and even more interesting. Their chemistry really carries 'Abusement Park' and has considerable energy and sees a lot of amusing if not hilarious moments between them. The amusement park setting is well used and it is hard not to get nostalgic. When it comes to the gags, they are numerous and none of them misfire, just that there isn't really anything hilarious and they can be predictable. While the story may be a somewhat formulaic one, it is elevated by the chemistry between Popeye and Bluto. Really liked the increasing wildness present throughout the whole of the second half after a somewhat ordinary first one.
Moreover, the animation is lively and colourful with lovely attention to detail in the backgrounds. 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. Jackson Beck comes off best of the voice actors, being characteristically robust.
In a nutshell, nice if unexceptional. 7/10
1947 also saw an overall decent but never quite outstanding perhaps group of Popeye cartoon. 'Abusement Park' started this group off, and it is on the most part another Popeye cartoon that was pretty decent but nothing exceptional. When you compare that to how great the best of the Fleischer output was it is a touch disappointing though not a bad position at all to be in. A lot of great things here, although they had been done better before.
To me, as is common with the series Olive has very little to do, and her material and her character are not near as funny or as interesting as Popeye and Bluto. The surprises and freshness are present more in other Popeye cartoons, especially previous ones but even some since too, with an outcome that is easily predicted too soon.
Jack Mercer not voicing Popeye takes getting used to and, despite giving it his best shot, Harry Welch never completely clicked with me when replacing him. He does amuse and Popeye is as likeable as ever, but Mercer did quite a lot more with the asides and mumblings and sounded like he was enjoying doing it more.
Popeye though is as amusing and likeable, while Bluto on villain duty is even funnier and even more interesting. Their chemistry really carries 'Abusement Park' and has considerable energy and sees a lot of amusing if not hilarious moments between them. The amusement park setting is well used and it is hard not to get nostalgic. When it comes to the gags, they are numerous and none of them misfire, just that there isn't really anything hilarious and they can be predictable. While the story may be a somewhat formulaic one, it is elevated by the chemistry between Popeye and Bluto. Really liked the increasing wildness present throughout the whole of the second half after a somewhat ordinary first one.
Moreover, the animation is lively and colourful with lovely attention to detail in the backgrounds. 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. Jackson Beck comes off best of the voice actors, being characteristically robust.
In a nutshell, nice if unexceptional. 7/10