Seein' Red, White 'n' Blue (1943)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Dan Gordon

Writer:

Joe Stultz (story)

Release Date:

19 February 1943 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Comedy | Short

Plot:

Bluto the blacksmith gets a draft notice. Popeye is in charge of the local draft board. Bluto gives a sob story about his ailments...

Plot Keywords:

Bluto | Popeye | Orphanage | Japanese | Hitler

Cast

Dave Barry	...	Bluto (voice) (uncredited)
Jack Mercer	...	Popeye (voice) (uncredited)

Runtime:

7 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Company:

Famous Studios

Quotes:

Bluto: Who do I know that can write?

After half a century, now see the light

"Seein' Red, White 'n' Blue" was one of many Popeyes filmed during World War II to spoof some aspect of the War. Bluto suggested one, interestingly enough, of many young Americans who, despite the fact that the War WAS morally AND politically supportable, was not willing to fight in it. (Many guys just did not want to be wrenched away from homes, girls, wives, mothers, etc.) While working as a blacksmith, he got a letter from the President, ordering him to report for induction. People DID still earn their livings as blacksmiths in the Forties; apparently, such were not entitled to 2-A, 2-B or other deferment based on occupation. Bluto growled that they can't make me serve, but the letter from the President read OH YES WE CAN! He reported, Popeye being on draft-board duty, claiming medical unfitness (to get a 4-F) but Popeye saw through it. Then Bluto tried to get himself injured; that also backfired. Bluto then declared "I'll never sign up. Never!" So, Popeye and Bluto visited an orphanage. Was Bluto assigned to this instead, as he objected to military service? (When America had a draft, registrants with religious objections WERE assigned to orphanages, old-people's homes, etc. as civilian alternative service.) The five "cute little orphinks" that Popeye saw were really Japanese spies! Popeye and Bluto BOTH ate spinach and made short work of the Japanese, landing them behind bars (after a sign was posted saying "Is there a doctor in the house?" with "doctor" replaced by "undertaker"). Bluto FINALLY agreed to serve. Being a peanut brain, he could not spell his own name, so asked "How do you spell Bluto?", to which the Japs replied in close harmony "B-L-U-T-O!" I do NOT believe that this Popeye was meant to insult Orientals! Some have regarded it as childish; I see it as an AMUSING spoof of a war that DID have to be fought.