Popeye (1980)

User Rating:

4.8/10   

Director:

Robert Altman

Writers:

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

Release Date:

12 December 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

Haves a happy holiday wit me an' Olive!

Plot:

The sailor man travels to Sweethaven, falls in love with Olive Oyl, adopts Sweetpea and makes an enemy with Bluto.

Plot Keywords:

Popeye | Spinach | Sailor | Abandoned Baby | Baby

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

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

Runtime:

114 min | Argentina:115 min | Finland:97 min (1981)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Vistasonic

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:All | Canada:G (Canadian Home Video rating) | Australia:G | Argentina:Atp | Finland:K-8 | France:U | Sweden:7 | UK:U | USA:PG (Approved No. 26147) | Singapore:PG | Brazil:Livre

Filming Locations:

Anchor Bay, Malta

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Robin Williams's film debut.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: As per the info in the trivia section of this film, the make up and appliances for Popeye's massive forearms were not ready. So in some scenes, especially the boxing match, if you look at the inside of his forearms, you can see that they are merely flesh colored pads tied over Robin Williams' arms (the strings are visible).

Quotes:

Popeye: I found him in Sweet Haven, that's why I am calling him Swee'Pea. That is his name.
Olive Oyl: Swee'Pea is the worst name I've ever heard on a baby.
Popeye: Well what do you wants me to call him? Baby Oyl?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The 61st Annual Golden Globe Awards (2004) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Everything Is Food

puppies bunny rabbits

Before offering my opinion on whether this is "the worst movie" ever made or something else I have to mention this: A few minutes into the film, when Popeye lands, the song that begins after a piano nearly falls on him; This little number...the arrangement and choice of instruments.....filled with Williams mutterings and asides...suddenly becoming melodic and sweet between mutterings.....performed in a tilted sailor jig....well...it's beautiful....absolutely got some heaven in it.....it's so sweet and funny.......I love the sound of it...Williams voice...the swelling sweet horns, the Fender bass...that French accordian thing......it's got to be a "magic film moment" at least for me.....something blissful there....best moment of the movie by far......justifies renting it to play until you get it in your bloodstream....."I yam what I yam....I comes from the sea"

OK...as for the rest of it....sort of meanders and heads downhill. Yes Duval's interpretation is genius...and I don't think Robin Williams is capable of really lousing anything up.......in fact......I can't picture a better Popeye....he's one of a kind.......but with the exception of the lead in song....the rest of the tunes aren't going to win awards.

Ya know.....this movie shouldn't even be criticized. It's such a sweet easy sort of mess. People that hate puppies and babies playing with rubber duckies in the tub will despise it....maybe it even seems an embarrassment to the stars years later......and yes maybe Famous Rays pizza isn't fine dining and maybe cold beer at certain summer moments isn't exquisite liqueur but...you get the idea......i just like this loopy effort...a lot went into it......it's unselfconscious and weird and very funny...it isn't "challenging" or meant to be, and in fact it has brilliant moments.

It might not be your cup of tea, but to me it's sweet and light. And that first song knocks me out.