The 1950s was not the best decade for the Popeye theatrical series or Famous Studios, the early-50s efforts being better and a little more consistent than those from the late-50s. The less polished animation quality, lower gag count and varying effectiveness of them and less fresh stories being the primary reasons for the inferior quality, compared to several of the 40s Famous Studios Popeye cartoons and Fleischer Studios' output.
1951's 'Thrill of Fair' is a worth watching cartoon if not a great one. It is not one of the overall best of the Popeye series. We're not just talking it not being one of the best of the Fleischer cartoons or not being one of the best of Famous Studios', this is overall we're talking about. 'Thrill of Fair' is pretty good still and worth watching if you like Popeye and Swee'Pea together (always have done and wish Swee'Pea featured more). As far as the early 50s output goes, this fares solidly without being one of the best or worst Famous Studios Popeye cartoons.
By all means, 'Thrill of Fair' isn't perfect. Once again, Olive for my tastes has too little to do in an underwritten role and her material is fairly weak and forgettable.
Like a good deal of Famous Studios' Popeye output, the pacing is not always perfect either, the first portion a touch slow and takes a little long to find its groove. One predicts the ending with certainty and correctly very early on, if you are familiar with any of the Popeye and Swee'Pea partnerings and know how they end you'll know how this does as it is essentially the same but in a different setting.
However, 'Thrill of Fair' is successful in many areas. Popeye and Swee'Pea (here redesigned) are dead on. Popeye is very easy to like and is is amusing yet easy to feel sympathy for, but despite being a baby Swee Pea manages to be an even more interesting character, avoiding being obnoxious or too cute and is both adorable and funny. Their chemistry/interaction was essential for 'Baby Wants Spinach' to work and sparkles.
Many clever, very amusing and beautifully timed gags can be seen here, the cartoon is hardly short-changed in this regard. The asides and mumblings are even funnier and helped by Jack Mercer's ever genius vocal delivery, just wish there was more. Smedley is quite a nice character and quite cute, but this is Popeye and Swee'Pea's cartoon all the way by a mile.
Regarding the animation, it is very good even if with occasional lack of finnesse. It's beautifully drawn and with immaculate visual detail, that doesn't ever feel cluttered or static, and lively and smooth movement. The music likewise, lots of merry energy and lush orchestration, adding a lot to the action and making the impact even better without being too cartoonish.
In conclusion, not great but definitely worth watching. 7/10.
1951's 'Thrill of Fair' is a worth watching cartoon if not a great one. It is not one of the overall best of the Popeye series. We're not just talking it not being one of the best of the Fleischer cartoons or not being one of the best of Famous Studios', this is overall we're talking about. 'Thrill of Fair' is pretty good still and worth watching if you like Popeye and Swee'Pea together (always have done and wish Swee'Pea featured more). As far as the early 50s output goes, this fares solidly without being one of the best or worst Famous Studios Popeye cartoons.
By all means, 'Thrill of Fair' isn't perfect. Once again, Olive for my tastes has too little to do in an underwritten role and her material is fairly weak and forgettable.
Like a good deal of Famous Studios' Popeye output, the pacing is not always perfect either, the first portion a touch slow and takes a little long to find its groove. One predicts the ending with certainty and correctly very early on, if you are familiar with any of the Popeye and Swee'Pea partnerings and know how they end you'll know how this does as it is essentially the same but in a different setting.
However, 'Thrill of Fair' is successful in many areas. Popeye and Swee'Pea (here redesigned) are dead on. Popeye is very easy to like and is is amusing yet easy to feel sympathy for, but despite being a baby Swee Pea manages to be an even more interesting character, avoiding being obnoxious or too cute and is both adorable and funny. Their chemistry/interaction was essential for 'Baby Wants Spinach' to work and sparkles.
Many clever, very amusing and beautifully timed gags can be seen here, the cartoon is hardly short-changed in this regard. The asides and mumblings are even funnier and helped by Jack Mercer's ever genius vocal delivery, just wish there was more. Smedley is quite a nice character and quite cute, but this is Popeye and Swee'Pea's cartoon all the way by a mile.
Regarding the animation, it is very good even if with occasional lack of finnesse. It's beautifully drawn and with immaculate visual detail, that doesn't ever feel cluttered or static, and lively and smooth movement. The music likewise, lots of merry energy and lush orchestration, adding a lot to the action and making the impact even better without being too cartoonish.
In conclusion, not great but definitely worth watching. 7/10.
