Seein' Red, White 'n' Blue (1943)

Truly Dreadful Film

Masterful Cinema

Load of rubbish!!

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

Seein' Red, White 'n' Blue (1943)** 1/2 (out of 4)Popeye is a member of the draft board when Bluto comes in trying to fake an illness so he can stay out of the military. Before all of that can happen some Japanese soldiers attack.Obviously there are some racial stereotypes on display in this short but it's fair to remember that this was made during WWII when Japan was our enemy so seeing exaggerations of them was something that American crowds would find entertaining and funny. As far as the actual film goes, it's pretty good for what it is but there's no question that it's not in the upper tier of the series. The highlight is when Bluto is faking his illness and a "woman" comes in. The animation is good throughout but the film could have used some more laughs.

I could relate to this film, remembering a bunch of friends who were trying to do what Bluto did here to get out of the Vietnam War! I guess there have always been a lot of guys not exactly thrilled at the prospect of entering the military, even in World War II. Bluto, obviously, was one of them. Oddly, the military man/recruiter Bluto has to convince to get out of service is Popeye! (The two don't know each other here in this story.) Bluto's plan is to fail his physical. At least he can figure out a plan. He doesn't look too bright or have bright friends when he gets his draft notice. He sees the envelope and says, "Who do I know that can write?" Nothing is working to get out of the commitment, so he gets desperate. Bluto then looks like he's trying to kill himself - some real dark humor in here - but he's just trying to knock himself out of commission, so to speak, even if it means a heavy weight dropped on his head.The ironic ending has Bluto helping Popeye defeat an enemy attack! The big oak sees "the Japs" kicking the you-know-what out of Popeye and he comes to the rescue.It's the only cartoon I can recall in which Popeye shares his spinach, giving Bluto half the can!! That part made the cartoon worth seeing; otherwise, it was just "fair," at best.

"Seein' Red, White 'n' Blue" was one of many Popeyes filmed during World War II to spoof some aspect of the War. Bluto suggested one, interestingly enough, of many young Americans who, despite the fact that the War WAS morally AND politically supportable, was not willing to fight in it. (Many guys just did not want to be wrenched away from homes, girls, wives, mothers, etc.) While working as a blacksmith, he got a letter from the President, ordering him to report for induction. People DID still earn their livings as blacksmiths in the Forties; apparently, such were not entitled to 2-A, 2-B or other deferment based on occupation. Bluto growled that they can't make me serve, but the letter from the President read OH YES WE CAN! He reported, Popeye being on draft-board duty, claiming medical unfitness (to get a 4-F) but Popeye saw through it. Then Bluto tried to get himself injured; that also backfired. Bluto then declared "I'll never sign up. Never!" So, Popeye and Bluto visited an orphanage. Was Bluto assigned to this instead, as he objected to military service? (When America had a draft, registrants with religious objections WERE assigned to orphanages, old-people's homes, etc. as civilian alternative service.) The five "cute little orphinks" that Popeye saw were really Japanese spies! Popeye and Bluto BOTH ate spinach and made short work of the Japanese, landing them behind bars (after a sign was posted saying "Is there a doctor in the house?" with "doctor" replaced by "undertaker"). Bluto FINALLY agreed to serve. Being a peanut brain, he could not spell his own name, so asked "How do you spell Bluto?", to which the Japs replied in close harmony "B-L-U-T-O!" I do NOT believe that this Popeye was meant to insult Orientals! Some have regarded it as childish; I see it as an AMUSING spoof of a war that DID have to be fought.

On Google Video, this is listed among "banned cartoons" and I truly hope this really isn't the case. That's because not only is it one of Popeye's best cartoons but we can't toss cartoons just because they are no longer timely or might offend people--after all, this WAS WWII and it's a very important part of our history. Plus, the Japanese stereotypes in the cartoon aren't that offensive unless you are a 100% HUMORLESS lover of political correctness! Bluto receives his draft notice and when he shows up, he spends a lot of energy trying to convince Popeye that he should be given an exemption, as he's "too sick" to fight. When this doesn't work, the cartoon gets really silly and fun when Bluto tries to get himself hurt so he doesn't have to serve. All this fun is interrupted when Popeye stumbles into a nest of Japanese spies--at which point, Bluto comes to the rescue.The bottom line is that this is very well-written, original (which most Popeye cartoons are not) and great viewing even today. If you have a chance, give it a watch.