As well as the numerous colour remakes of near-classic/classic Popeye cartoons from the (superior) Fleischer period and cartoons with reused footage (which varied), Famous Studios also did some semi-remakes. 1951's 'Alpine for You' is one of those semi-remakes, this time one of one of the best Popeye cartoons 'I-Ski, Love-Ski, You Ski'. Have found that the colour remakes/semi-remakes don't always quite have the same spark of their originals, but that is not the case with all.
One of those cartoons where for me it was not the case is 'Alpine for You'. It does help hugely that the original material is so good that it would be very difficult to ruin it or lessen its impact. While liking the Popeye vs Bluto vying for Olive's love formula on the whole and it certainly served the series well for a while, it did start to lose its freshness in the late Famous Studios output. Having said that, 'Alpine for You' didn't have that sense and it is not just among the best of the 50s Famous Studios cartoons (early-50s and of that decade it's among too the best of the Famous Studios cartoons.
Sure the story is standard, though the entertainment value and liveliness made up for that, and Olive is underused (not unexpected, she always was when it was she, Popeye and Bluto).
However, the animation is bright and colourful with some lovely rich background detail. The character animation is smooth and expressive enough too, especially in the physical comedy and the use of the logo (which is indeed creative). Music is outstanding throughout, very luscious and characterful. Not to mention Popeye's climbing.
Popeye is as amusing and likeable as ever and Bluto is a formidable and every bit as entertaining adversary. Love their chemistry together, which is full of wit and energy. The voice acting is reliably fine, Jack Mercer is the definitive Popeye and while there has always been a preference for Gus Wickie (a lot of people's personal favourite Bluto voice actor) Jackson Beck is both menacing and robust. Like Mercer for Popeye, Mae Questel was the most popular and frequently used voice for Olive and for me she is the only Olive that does anything for me and the only one to fit the character design.
Gags and verbal humour are aplenty, all hit and many are hilarious. The climax is wildly imaginative and hysterical, possibly my favourite climax of the early 50s Popeye cartoons.
Concluding, excellent. 9/10.
One of those cartoons where for me it was not the case is 'Alpine for You'. It does help hugely that the original material is so good that it would be very difficult to ruin it or lessen its impact. While liking the Popeye vs Bluto vying for Olive's love formula on the whole and it certainly served the series well for a while, it did start to lose its freshness in the late Famous Studios output. Having said that, 'Alpine for You' didn't have that sense and it is not just among the best of the 50s Famous Studios cartoons (early-50s and of that decade it's among too the best of the Famous Studios cartoons.
Sure the story is standard, though the entertainment value and liveliness made up for that, and Olive is underused (not unexpected, she always was when it was she, Popeye and Bluto).
However, the animation is bright and colourful with some lovely rich background detail. The character animation is smooth and expressive enough too, especially in the physical comedy and the use of the logo (which is indeed creative). Music is outstanding throughout, very luscious and characterful. Not to mention Popeye's climbing.
Popeye is as amusing and likeable as ever and Bluto is a formidable and every bit as entertaining adversary. Love their chemistry together, which is full of wit and energy. The voice acting is reliably fine, Jack Mercer is the definitive Popeye and while there has always been a preference for Gus Wickie (a lot of people's personal favourite Bluto voice actor) Jackson Beck is both menacing and robust. Like Mercer for Popeye, Mae Questel was the most popular and frequently used voice for Olive and for me she is the only Olive that does anything for me and the only one to fit the character design.
Gags and verbal humour are aplenty, all hit and many are hilarious. The climax is wildly imaginative and hysterical, possibly my favourite climax of the early 50s Popeye cartoons.
Concluding, excellent. 9/10.