Talk:Popeye

Philippine Popeye movie

There was a licensed Popeye movie back then in the 70's which was produced and shown in the Philippines. The actor playing Popeye was Ariel Ureta. Unfortunately I don't have much info so maybe someone here would like to research on it more.

Surrealism?

The cartoon strip was not literally surrealistic.

Popeye's Chicken

Later on, Popeye would have a fried chicken chain named after him.

...except one of the founders of same told the New York Times that the namesake was Popeye Doyle from The French Connection --♥ «Charles A. L.» 21:18, Apr 20, 2004 (UTC)

He is very strong

Some things

• The Popeye theme is not in the public domain; we were violating copyright by posting the lyrics in the article.
• The following has been removed from the article:

A Popeye TV cartoon was made in the USA during the 1960s. The characters were substantially simplified (as is common in TV cartooning) and altered further from Segar's original designs. The voice of Popeye was provided by Poley McClintock, whose show-business credits date back to the 1920s, when he was a member of Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians, a popular sweet band. It is widely believed that the part sung by Tony Burrows in The Pipkins' 1970 novelty record "Gimme Dat Ding" was intended as a tribute to McClintock.

Jack Mercer voiced Popeye from 1935 to 1982, save for the World War II period when Mae Questel voiced Popeye in some shorts.

• The character list is roughly in the order the characters joined the strip. I will make it verifyably correct soon, after I located by copy of my Popeye 50th Anniversary book.
• It's officially "Popeye the Sailor," not "Popeye the Sailor Man."

--b. Touch 09:53, 19 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Math error: "Fleischer Studios produced 108 Popeye cartoons; 106 of them were produced in black and white. The remaining three were two-reel (double-length) Technicolor specials billed as "Popeye Color Features*" Since 106+3=109, I think either the 106 or 108 number is incorrect by one. I don't know which, however; someone must have the data to fix this typo. -- Wyvern 21:50, 17 Jan 2005 (UTC)

That was my mistake. There are 108 total[1], which means 105 in black and white, not 106. Sorry about that. Will change immediately. --b. Touch 05:27, 18 Jan 2005 (UTC)

The mention of Popeye's phrase "I am what I am" may have been a way to sneak a salty sailorism into the character. As exerpted, it is the description that God gave to Moses, and may be at least faintly blasphemous. The reputation that sailors had?/have? Is one of being ‘salty’: a bit foulmouthed. Which could not go into a comic book, unless snuck in. Sean —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.189.135.36 (talk) 04:28, 26 January 2008 (UTC)

Good luck finding a citation for that theory. Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} 04:47, 26 January 2008 (UTC)

Three Women

... is a film by Robert Altman. However I have three questions, which are not women. First, was Popeye a sailor in the merchant marine or America's equivalent of the Royal Navy? I have always assumed the former, but this is based entirely on supposition. Secondly, can anybody cite the specific study which supposedly, and erroneously, boosted the iron content of spinach? It's a well-known trivia fact, but is it an urban legend? Thirdly, why was 'Popeye' Doyle of The French Connection so-called? In reference to the cartoon character, or just because he was pop-eyed? Indeed, is 'Popeye' the character's given name, or a nickname? Why won't you tell me? Why? Why? -Ashley Pomeroy 15:04, 14 Feb 2005 (UTC)

Actually that is nine questions, and three of them definitely are women. "Why won't you tell me? Why? Why?".. These three are on average slighter, they have impertinent and repetitive attitudes, they get shorter in temperment as they get unanswered, and they are dead-sexy cute. Ok, now please put down the meat cleaver. Was just trying some wit. To answer the fourth question: "Popeye" was the nickname of real life cop and later actor Eddie Egan, who partly inspired and even had a bit part in "The French Connection" [2]. He was born in 1930 and apparently got the nickname in his childhood baseball exploits, but it can't be proven (since Popeye predates him) the nickname isn't stolen. Apparently there are two possible explanations for the "Popeye" nickname on the French Connection 2 disc DVD set (in a BBC documentary included on it called "Making the Connection: Untold Stories of the French Connection"). Hope that confuses! To answer the second: There was no one study. Every study showed (and still does) that spinach has lots of iron, plenty of it. However, what they discovered later, was that the iron was still in the spinach, after it passed through you. Oops. But check out most cereals that have "100% iron", you can pick out shavings of it with a magnet. Only certain sizes and shapes of iron will be absorbed by our digestive system. Iron metal isn't very digestable, but organic iron compounds are. Hemoglobin isn't even magnetic, because the electrons that make iron magnetic are bonded. I think. 64.162.10.50 09:45, 3 Apr 2005 (UTC)

If you mean the "10 times too much iron" study, there is information about it on Spinach (also [3]: "Spinach's iron content had been determined in 1870 by Dr. E. von Wolf but a misplaced decimal point in his publication led to a figure ten times too high."

Re: Popeye in merchant marine or U.S. Navy?

There was a period, beginning in the Second World War, when he enlisted and donned the distinctive uniform of U.S. Navy sailors, but prior to that, and since the 1970's, in the animated cartoons, he was depicted as either merchant marine or, quite frequently, some other occupation besides a sailor.--Aaron Walden 10:47, 1 February 2006 (UTC)

Actualy he is neither is is US Coast Guard

Pictures

Would someone be able to upload some pictures of the different characters? Obviously I can't. (13 January 2006)

My apologies

I've reverted to an already vandalised version. Arsine 12:20, 17 January 2006 (UTC)

Are the legends of a Tijuana Bible featuing Popeye simply that, or is there substaance there? And if there is, do they merit inclusion in the article? The vandalism on it got me thinking.

There are Tijuana Bibles featuring Popeye & Olive Oyle, Poopdeck Pappy, Wimpy, and G.W. Geezil (a minor character, but what the heck!). Bluto might be in there someplace. Saxophobia 23:45, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

I don't know why this article has been the subject of so much vandalism. I'm going to revert to the previous stable version. I know I'm loosing a few good rewrites, but these rewrites appear in otherwise seriously vandalized versions of the article, and I can't see any practical way to save them and still restore what has been lost. Rick Norwood 20:01, 17 January 2006 (UTC)

What's with american self-congratulation on this article?

The article, at some point, reads: "traditional view of how America sees itself as a nation: possessing uncompromising moral standards and resorting to force when threatened, or when he "can't stands no more" bad behavior from an antagonist. This theory is directly reinforced in certain cartoons, when Popeye defeats his foe while an American patriotic song such as "The Stars and Stripes Forever" plays on the soundtrack. Popeye also expresses American individualism. "I yam what I yam, and that's all I yam." "

Sorry, but if you care to look up america's military history you'll find that

a. america is seldom truly threatened by any enemy (except japan the soviets and alqaeda), and b. america has resorted to force against democracies (socialist or otherwise) around the world to advance its corporate greed.

As to the "uncompromising moral standards", i need only mention the sexual revolution, the mainstreaming of homosexuality, the worldwide torture gulags, the way americans themselves out of their own civil rights, prior decades of racial hatred and terrorism, the plundering of distant democracies and foreign resources, the depletion of the planet's resources and polluting it, the banalization of pop-culture in america (most american tv is nothing but ads sex and violence). So exactly where is america "uncompromising" in its "MORAL standards"? Looking at the foregoing list, I'm hard pressed to find any moral standards whatsoever.

Also, americans don't have a monopoly on individualism. And in fact, the american mainstream (more conservative than europe) often punishes individualism and fears it - that is not to mention the vast base of fundamentalists in american society, or the overall militarization and regimentation of american society which sets up individualists, teenagers as enemies.

What's with all this self-congratulatory rhetoric? Americans would be better served adopting more humble views of themselves at this juncture, now that their greed and extreme prejudice is seriously endangering their standing in the world.

Finally "i yam what i yam" sounds like some passage in the new testament. Popeye, like most pop culture icons in america happens to be anti-christian (i wonder why). so it is not a statement of individualism (where is the individualism, if the national anthem is played when popeye defeats his enemies?), it could be merely a satire of jesus christ.

I added the {{fact}} tag to the statement, since it does look like possible OR and doesn't cite any sources for the theory, but really, this America-bashing is not at all relevant. --Cheapestcostavoider 22:54, 9 May 2006 (UTC)

Firstly, the nearest biblical match to "I yam what I yam" is Old Testament, not New. Secondly, how do you figure Popeye is anti-Christian? I don't recall any positive or negative messages related to any religion, offhand. Thirdly, how would Popeye be a satire of Christ? (Given your OT/NT reversal, perhaps you mean a satire of Yahweh, the original "I am that I am".) 171.66.216.218 00:48, 26 June 2006 (UTC)

The one thing that upsets me more than US boasting is unskilled anti-americanism. The beginning of the sentence is: "how America sees itself as a nation". Now that's a good point to start criticizing! It's a wrong view, OK. America is not a nation, it's a continent, OK. But to criticize the article because it describes the (wrong) view of a cartoon is just unfair.--SidiLemine 11:48, 18 October 2006 (UTC)

What the hell is all this claptrap? First of all, the anti-americanism talk page is elsewhere. Second, we're discussing self-image (which doesn't have to be accurate, that's why it's self image instead of self knowledge!) from 70 years ago. I'm sorry that your life is so empty all you can do is rage against America, but this isn't the place for it.

One eye

So, why exactly DOES Popeye have only one eye? Dev920 10:40, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

On the topic of short and to the point questions. Was Popeye a British or American creation? Not even I can rememebr that far back! --Dom0803 00:46, 26 August 2006 (UTC)

Spinach

I've expanded the note about the spinach iron myth and mentioned T.J. Hamblin, who publicised the error. Sadly, no-one seems to know who corrected the error (just "german scientists"). Anyone who follows the link to the T.J. Hamblin page or the spinach page will see more detail on the origin of the myth. Kayman1uk 14:59, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

Movie

No mention of Popeye The Movie?

Noticed that too. Surely that needs putting in? 82.69.37.32 00:15, 7 October 2006 (UTC)

One eye?

The text states that he only has one eye, his left, yet this picture shows him with a right eye. Image:Popeye-floor-flusher.jpg -Ravedave ^{(help name my baby)} 21:57, 10 September 2006 (UTC)

One eye?

Popeye certainly has two eyes!

"Stephie the Sailor Babe": apocryphal

The entire paragraph on "Stephie the Sailor Babe" was contributed to this article by one person, the unidentified 134.220.3.14, a couple of weeks ago. Though I've been a cartoon researcher for years, I've never heard of "Stephie" and -- in lieu of any sources -- highly suspect that someone is having us on. As to the details of the purported information: the BBC was never in charge of creating or commissioning Popeye cartoons, and elements such as "a bear called Chris" and "a leprechaun called Ian" read like lame efforts at Python-style humor (i. e. give eccentric-sounding characters dully ordinary names). Unless someone can verify this information fast, I think the "Stephie" section should be deleted.

David Gerstein 207.114.33.3 18:04, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Removed it, I always found it farfetched especially the part about it "only being known by close friends and relatives", thanks for contributing-Dark Dragon Flame 19:24, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

---

Popeye speaks English with the same accent as my sister-in-law from the East End of Dublin, Ireland.

14:47, 17 January 2007 (UTC)~~ Conrad

---

Olivia?

Who is Olivia? This person is only mentioned in the list of Popeye cartoon characters, and is not listed as its own bullet point. Did the author mean Olive Oil? As it currently stands, the article says that Popeye had a son with Olivia in the short-lived series & that the niece is Olivia's. I wanted to ask before assuming the answer and making changes. SailorAlphaCentauri 17:57, 17 January 2007 (UTC)

DVD release

Some news on the first volume of the official DVD releases (1933-1938) over here. Esn 15:23, 3 April 2007 (UTC) The new release is great but it is missing the ( made) for tv Popeye that us baby boomers watched! Alice the Goon,The Sea Hag, Brutus! They are no where to be found. These cartoons were seen in over 90% of US markets. The big question though is Where is our Popeye? He is NOWHERE to be found! Rumors online saysome big wheel has him for his personal viewing! I sure hope that is not the case ! I don't believe that stuff,maybe you can find our Popeye! If it is true that some company or person has stole Popeye then shame on us for letting this happen! We need to spread the word to the millions of cartoon lovers who have wondered for 40 some years! Wheres Brutus,Wheres the Sea Hag,Wheres Alice The Goon,and of course Wheres 1960s Popeye.Its true lifes sometimes not fair but this is global robbery!! Spread the word my friend!

The Wedding of Popeye and Olive

A few years back to commemorate a big anniversary of Popeye's, the two characters were married in a one-shot comic book. Was this "canon" or ever referred to again? ChrisStansfield 23:21, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

Revert explanation

To clarify my revert of the unnamed editor who attributed comic strip Popeye's strength to smelling garlic: I suspect you are confusing the origin with the one presented in the animated short Greek Mirthology, which depicts Popeye's "ancestor" as gaining his strength through that vegetable. In fact, Popeye's superhuman strength and recuperative abilities (namely surviving being shot point blank several times) all happened "on camera" in the Thimble Theater comic strip. It is made very clear that Popeye's powers come from his kind treatment of the supernatural Wiffle Hen. In later strips, Popeye would return to the Wiffle Hen at times when his strength was at an ebb. Hope this clears things up for you. ChrisStansfield 05:28, 20 August 2007 (UTC)

English in Singapore

The article says that English is the first language in Singapore, which isn't entirely true. Actually, they use a creole based English, Malay, Chinese and a few other languages, called Singlish. This should be verified and corrected.

71.212.27.154 04:37, 16 October 2007 (UTC)

I cleaned up the section. I totally classify this as pure nonsense. If there ever were such an existance of a "strict" English program we'd be communists by now - There was a Campaign to promote English speaking, not a law or a program. However yes, there was been a ban in Singapore in the 1980s. However in 1995, the ban was lifted. I cannot add this line into the article as I do not have a variable source to prove my word. DVDs are also on sale here and I have the whole collection of them.

SomeFormOFhuman

03:34, 22 December 2007 (UTC)

Those Muscular Forearms

Why does Popeye have muscular forearms? Well, historically, ordinary seamen were required to spend a great deal of time working in the rigging of sailing vessels, to arrange the sails according to how the wind was blowing. Climbing around the rigging had the effect of building up forearm muscles, as sailors clung to the ropes, in good and bad weather, for dear life. After years of practice, sailors became quite adept at moving about, executing maneuvers that an untrained person would probably kill himself doing. Popeye, being a middle-aged man in the 1930s, has anachronistically hypertrophic forearm muscles. --72.75.91.146 06:56, 30 October 2007 (UTC)

Worth including if you can find a citation for it. It's worth noting (if not already noted) that initially his arms were only a slight exaggeration. By the time the cartoons rolled around, his exaggerated forearms had been established in the strip. Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} 10:42, 30 October 2007 (UTC)

I did not find a relevant reference. However, dig the photo of the body builder who has injected his arms with oil that was intended to be used topically to shine up the physique during exhibition: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article1782095.ece --72.75.91.146 01:51, 31 October 2007 (UTC)

Popeye the Sailor: 1933-1938, Volume 1

I started the article about the first official theatrical Popeye DVD set. How is it? Feel free to add to it. Steelbeard1 (talk) 00:39, 21 November 2007 (UTC)

Popeye the Sailor: 1938-1940, Volume 2

Now that enough info about the new Volume Two set is available so that an article can be created, I did that. How is it? Steelbeard1 (talk) 03:35, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Excellent. I changed the wording to "scheduled to be" because wikipedia is "not a crystal ball". Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} 03:42, 24 February 2008 (UTC)