Parlez Vous Woo
- Studio
- Famous Studios
- Distributor
- Paramount Studios
Synopsis
The ever-fickle Olive Oyl is once again lured away from Popeye by arch-nemesis Bluto. This time, man-mountain Bluto learns that Olive is smitten by "The International" on TV. He one-ups Popeye by assuming the guise of the suave continental, sporting a cheesy French accent in order to impress the none-too-bright Olive.
Characters
Popeye, Bluto, Olive Oyl
Credits
Directing
- Director
- Isadore Sparber
Writing
- Writer
- Izzy Klein
Voices
- Voice
- Jack Mercer (Popeye), Mae Questel (Olive Oyl), Jackson Beck (Bluto)
Music
- Music
- Winston Sharples
Animation
- Animator
- Al Eugster, William B. Pattengill
Crew
- Scenics
- Anton Loeb
Production notes
The print reviewed had the original Paramount titles.
"The International," though unfamiliar to today's audiences, is a clever spoof of "The Continental," an actual TV show (aimed at bored, lovelorn housewives) which aired on CBS in 1952 and ABC in 1952-53. The title character, a suave "Italian count" (played by Italian-born Renzo Cesana), sat in a living room set, wearing his dinner jacket reading romantic poetry to the camera for 15 minutes twice a week, just after the 11 p.m. news, around bedtime.
In order to impersonate "The International," Bluto appears beardless!
"The International," though unfamiliar to today's audiences, is a clever spoof of "The Continental," an actual TV show (aimed at bored, lovelorn housewives) which aired on CBS in 1952 and ABC in 1952-53. The title character, a suave "Italian count" (played by Italian-born Renzo Cesana), sat in a living room set, wearing his dinner jacket reading romantic poetry to the camera for 15 minutes twice a week, just after the 11 p.m. news, around bedtime.
In order to impersonate "The International," Bluto appears beardless!
Pictures
Reviews
Parlez Vous Woo
Those who don't believe that Olive Oyl was ever attractive need to check out this cartoon! Here, she has a gorgeous face throughout the film and is wearing a sleeveless red evening gown which shows off her 38-24-36 figure!!! Alas for poor Popeye, she's not all dolled up for him, but for a suave TV star she has a huge crush on. Bluto impersonates the star, making a swooning Olive think she's won a date with him. Bluto, BTW, is himself quite handsome in this cartoon. It makes you wonder why he doesn't go with a clean-shaven look all the time. Anyway, the cartoon has some funny morphing by Olive as she responds to Bluto/The International's appearance at her door and his hand kissing, and as she literally turns ice cold when Popeye tries to be "romantical." There's two sexy scenes as Olive, confident in her appeal, and an ecstatic Bluto who is checking her out, flirt as they head for the couch and sit together, and as they do a romantic waltz . Popeye keeps interfering, even using the old "dress frame trick" he used in JITTERBUG JIVE. Finally, Bluto/The International has had enough and challenges Popeye to a duel for Olive's hand. And Popeye loses!!! And he's defeated in a very graphic manner as we see Bluto gleefully stab him in the chest with a sword! (This scene creeped me out when I was a kid!) As it turns out, though, it was the spinach can that was stabbed. Popeye eats the green stuff spilling out as the can hangs from Bluto's sword and gets the strength and skill to turn the tide and reveal the imposter. Mae Questel has a great vocal moment as she portrays Olive's hurt over Bluto's deception. And spinach turns Popeye into a sophisticated lover.
He ought to be thankful it did, because without it, he and Olive are completely incompatible!
Parlez-Vouz Woo
This is CLASSIC Famous Studios stuff and the kind of stuff I think of when I think POPEYE. Love Olive's looks, the reaction to her "idol," Popeye's being insulted, the classic duel scene, and Olive's cry of dismay upon learning the truth. All that AND a clean-shaven, handsome, tuxedoed Bluto who looks for the entire world like an animated Gordon MacRae! I give this one 5 spinach cans! (the highest rating!)"