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by Fred M. Grandinetti (Author)
Following the surprising popularity of the theatrical Popeye cartoons on television in the mid-1950s, King Features Syndicate quickly went into production on new made-for-TV cartoons to capitalize on that success. Under the supervision of Producer Al Brodax, 220 new cartoons were created by six different animation studios, including one overseen by former Disney animator Jack Kinney, and Paramount Cartoon Studios (whose staff had worked on the theatrical Popeye cartoons). They appeared on television beginning in 1960.
Many of these cartoons featured excellent (though limited) animation, imaginative storytelling, and even occasional self-referential humor. Several stories were adapted from E.C. Segar's Thimble Theatre newspaper comics, and characters that had first appeared there (such as The Sea Hag, and Alice the Goon) would make their animation debut. The best-known voice artists from the theatrical Popeye cartoons - Jack Mercer, Mae Questel, and Jackson Beck (now playing Brutus, instead of Bluto) - each reprised their roles.
However, several of these cartoons were poorly animated, with errors and inconsistent character designs, and too reliant on reused animation. This has given the series a reputation - perhaps unfairly - of poor quality. While casting a critical eye, this book will encourage appreciation of the better films of the series.
These new made-for-TV Popeye cartoons were a terrific success and continued to appear on television for more than 30 years. They remain a beloved memory of childhood TV viewing.
