Have always liked the Popeye series, loved even quite a lot of the cartoons from namely Fleischer Studios' late-30s period. Also like the character of Popeye very much especially his mumblings and asides and chemistry with Bluto (the latter of which being a huge part of the series' appeal, apart from the cartoons where Bluto doesn't appear). Am less of a fan of the cartoons, and cartoons in general actually, that are basically clips of previous cartoons with a framing story that isn't as interesting.
One of those cartoons is 1956's 'Assault and Flattery'. It is unique for its setting and the basic idea was great, but somehow it would have fared better as a cartoon that only had that story and didn't rely so much on the reused footage. Of this type of Popeye cartoons, the cartoon clips tend to be better than the framing story, but actually it's the opposite with 'Assault and Flattery'. Framing story-wise, it is one of the better "cheater" cartoons. When it comes to the reused footage, it is not one of the best.
'Assault and Flattery' does have quite a lot of good. The animation is bright and colourful throughout and despite saying that the animation quality isn't quite as good in the framing story it becomes closer than most compilation cartoons in being true in style to the clips as all three cartoons featured were only made a few years before. The music is typically fantastic throughout, lots of merry energy and lush orchestration, adding a lot to the action and making the impact even better without being too cartoonish.
The voice acting is very good, Jack Mercer sure does relish those mumblings and asides. Popeye and Bluto are a delight, as is Wimpy. The framing story is a lot of fun, with some amusing writing and a lively energy.
Conversely, the animation could have been smoother in the framing story. The cartoon could have done with more consistent freshness and there could have been a better selection of reused footage, plenty of gags and clips to choose from in the series.
Where 'Assault and Flattery' isn't so good is actually the reused footage this time. There are three cartoons used, 'The Farmer and the Belle', 'How Green is My Spinach' and 'A Balmy Swami'. Of the three, only one of them is good overall ('How Green is My Spinach') and 'How Green is My Spinach's' clip is the only great and inspired one.
Summing up, not bad but uneven. 6/10.