popeyehellz2.jpg

…and you thought the early Disney character costumes were ugly?

Popeye, Olive Oyl and Wimpy arrive for a performance of the Broadway musical revue Hellzapoppin, in this 1939 news photo currently for sale on ebay. Larger full size version here.

Popeye is one of those properties that is such a pure cartoon, any attempt to personify him in live action simply does not work. Even three dimensional Popeye toys have a history of looking grotesque – in a fun way.

(Thanks, Leonard Maltin)

Jerry Beck

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