Popeye (1980)

The adventures of the famous sailor man and his friends in the seaside town of Sweethaven.

Director:

Robert Altman

Writers:

Jules Feiffer (screenplay), E.C. Segar (based on characters by)

Stars:

Robin Williams, Shelley Duvall, Ray Walston

3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robin Williams	...	Popeye
Shelley Duvall	...	Olive Oyl
Ray Walston	...	Poopdeck Pappy
Paul Dooley	...	Wimpy
Paul L. Smith	...	Bluto
Richard Libertini	...	Geezil
Donald Moffat	...	The Taxman
MacIntyre Dixon	...	Cole Oyl
Roberta Maxwell	...	Nana Oyl
Donovan Scott	...	Castor Oyl
Allan F. Nicholls	...	Rough House (as Allan Nicholls)
Wesley Ivan Hurt	...	Swee'pea
Bill Irwin	...	Ham Gravy, the Old Boyfriend
Robert Fortier	...	Bill Barnacle, the Town Drunk
David McCharen	...	Harry Hotcash, the Gambler

Storyline

Buff sailor man Popeye arrives in an awkward seaside town called Sweethaven. There he meets Wimpy, a hamburger-loving man; Olive Oyl, the soon-to-be love of his life; and Bluto, a huge, mean pirate who is out to make Sweethaven pay for no good reason. Popeye also discovers his long-lost Pappy in the middle of it all, so with a band of his new friends, Popeye heads off to stop Bluto, and he's got the power of spinach, which Popeye detests, to bust Bluto right in the mush. Watch as Popeye mops the floor with punks in a burger joint, stops a greedy taxman, takes down a champion boxer, and even finds abandoned baby Swee'pea. He's strong to the finish 'cause he eats his spinach.

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Plot Keywords:

sailor | spinach | abandoned baby | bully | based on comic strip | 

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Taglines:

Haves a happy holiday wit me an' Olive!

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 December 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Popeye - Der Seemann mit dem harten Schlag

Filming Locations:

Anchor Bay, Malta

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$49,823,057

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$60,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Walt Disney Productions, Robert Evans Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Vistasonic

Color:

Color Black and White (prologue)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie, and Mork & Mindy (1978), are the two projects that helped launch Robin Williams' career, yet in stand-up comedy, he constantly jokes about trying to distance himself from both, though he brings both up.

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Goofs

When Popeye finds his pappy tied to the chair hanging from the ceiling in Bluto's ship, he takes his pipe out of his mouth before he hugs his pappy. Seconds later, the pipe is back in his mouth.

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Quotes

Geezil: Fooey! The Commadore. Besides Wimpy, I hate him best.

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Crazy Credits

There is a statement in the closing credits: "Our gratitude to an international crew whose artistry helped to bring Sweethaven and the world of Popeye to life."

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Alternate Versions

A recent television version is altered in at least one way. Bluto's song "I'm Mean" is eliminated from the soundtrack as he trashes the Oyls' family home waiting for Olive Oyl.

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Connections

Featured in Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

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Soundtracks

Blow Me Down
(uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Harry Nilsson
Performed by Robin Williams

User Reviews

I'm Popeye The Sailor Man! I'm Popeye The Say-lor Man! I'm Strong To Dee Finnish ‘Cause I Eat Me Spinach I'm Popeye The Sailor Man!

Two hours of pure delight! I saw this film on television years ago and it keeps on getting better and better. I have always been a Popeye fan and the cartoons from the thirties are always fun to watch.

While the acting is definitely not the best, it is a cute movie and can be enjoyed whenever it is on TV. A fun movie is fun no matter how many times you see it.

While the film is nothing compared to the wonderful cartoons of the thirties through the fifties, Popeye creates a world like none other. We can relax and have fun with Popeye as he journeys with Ms. Duvall.

A fun movie for all to watch. Recommended especially for the little ones.

MPAA Rating: PG

My Rating: 4 and up

My * Rating: 8.0/10