Toons in History: Popeye and World War 2

 

welcome to the first of many post conveying some of the most prominent cartoons that had a significant influence on American history, but before I do that i wanted to give a special birthday shoutout...TO MYSELF

AND ALSO TO ONE MR. DEVEN FULTON BY LINKING YOU TO HIS  AWESOMELY TECH SAVVY BLOG GEEKSPEAK . IF YOUR LOOKING FOR THE LATEST IN TECH AND NERD NEWS, FOLLOW NOW!!!!!!

NOW THAT THAT'S OUT OF THE WAY 

The name "Popeye" is synonymous with everything that is manliness, perseverance, and spinach. He have won himself in the hearts of many kids with his strong anchor arms (the original...not spongebob),  his cheerful banter, and always beating up anyone getting in the way of him romancing the love of his life, Olive Oyl, but Popeye, along with other famous cartoons of that era, had there say in the events of the time. the noticeable of those times is World War 2. I will warn you that some of the clip and cartoons i'll show in this blog are banned and uses some images and language that may be considered offensive. 

before I show those lets get some of Popeye's History out of the way. The first recorded appearance of Popeye was in January 17, 1929 in the comic strip known as Thimble Theatre.

    

Four years later, the lovable sailor was picked up by Fleischer Studio where he debuted along side one of their more popular series, Betty Boop.  Not only did it feature Popeye, Olive Oyl, but it premiered Popeye's Arch Nemesis, Bluto

Throughout the years, Popeye have definitely made an impact on the American youth. According to the website http://www.retrojunk.com/details_tvshows/1910-popeye-the-sailor, a poll was taken in the mid 1930s and it was proven that Popeye was more popular than Mickey Mouse. Popeye the Sailor Man went on to have over 100 episodes, 3 double feature matinee and adoring fans in the form of  "The Popeye Club" rivaling that of the Mickey Mouse Club. unfortunately, when the WW2 came around Popeye was reenlisted  to help the home front from the attacks of the Japanese. 

   

"Your a Sap, Mr. Jap" was one of many Propaganda cartoons that features Popeye. This particular episode shows Popeye protecting an American navel fleet from a Japanese attack. the cartoon conveyed the Japanese Soldiers as incompetent, cowardly and physically appalling whereas the Americans were portrayed as strong and brave.

 

"Seein' Red, White, and Blue" shows Popeye battling it out Bluto, but for a different matter. Popeye is in charge of the Draft Board and Bluto is trying to do whatever it take so get out of serving the Country. 

"Spinach Fer Britain" is about Popeye's journey to delivery spinach to Britain while the same time defending the rations from the pressing attacks of the U-boats of the Nazis. all three of these cartoons were pulled from commercial viewing on television.

although these messages can be perceived as being very strong negatively, these cartoons were meant to instill a sense of patriotism in the world against the axis power. Popeye became the face of a strong America.