In a shipyard, Popeye and Bluto compete in each building a ship for a potential exclusive military contract.In a shipyard, Popeye and Bluto compete in each building a ship for a potential exclusive military contract.In a shipyard, Popeye and Bluto compete in each building a ship for a potential exclusive military contract.
- Directors
- Writers
- Stars
Dave Barry
- Bluto
- (voice)
- (uncredited)
Jack Mercer
- Popeye
- (voice)
- (uncredited)
- Directors
- Izzy Sparber
- Al Eugster(uncredited)
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn the closing shot, Churchill's "V for Victory" can be seen behind Popeye's fleet.
- GoofsBoth Popeye and Bluto lay down steel plates on the decks of their ships. But ship did not and still do not use steel for their decks. When wet (and ships do get wet as they sail on rough seas and inclement weather), steel is slippery. That is why they use wood planking for their decks. Rubber soled shoes can even get a grip on wet wood.
- Alternate versionsThere is a redrawn colorized version from 1987 originally commissioned by Ted Turner.
Featured review
Competitive ship-building
Am somebody who likes to love a vast majority of the Popeye cartoons and likes the character himself. A likeable character whose chemistry and animosity with Bluto one that drives the cartoons with such fun and energy, always a highlight. Do have a preference for the Fleischer era cartoons, that are generally funnier, more imaginative and of higher quality, though many of the later Famous Studio offerings entertain, just inferior in quality.
Notable for being the third Famous Studios Popeye cartoon, 'A Hull of a Mess' is not quite one of my favourite Popeye cartoons overall. Although it has pretty much everything that was so great about the best of the Fleischer output while not being quite as imaginative in the formula and humour. That is not saying that 'A Hull of a Mess' is unimaginative, for Famous Studios Popeye it is quite the contrary. The result is a great cartoon and do have to agree that it is one of the best Popeye cartoons from this period of the series and also one of Famous Studios' better Popeye cartoons overall.
One doesn't care so much that the story is on the thin and somewhat formulaic side and basically one big competitive race. Namely because there is enough creativity and variety to stop 'A Hull of a Mess' from being repetitive and the energy is constant and so infectious. The lack of Olive Oyl proved to be a good move and it let it be all about Popeye and Bluto, who were always far more interesting characters anyway, in a competitive situation.
There are many fine things. The animation is great , the backgrounds have lost none of the meticulous attention to detail, it's fluid, Popeye still looks good and is recognisable in design and the shading has atmosphere. Every bit as good is the lively and lushly orchestrated music score, that has character and adds a lot to the action and enhances it.
Popeye is amusing and likeable still, he is convincing as a single character taking on a much larger army, and Jack Mercer doesn't disappoint with the voice acting. Bluto is just as funny and interesting and the chemistry between the two sparkles and carries 'A Hull of a Mess' with boundless energy.
Lots of dialogue and gags that are timed beautifully and are very funny, the best absolutely hilarious, and the energy never wavers. The non-stop action prevents it from being dull.
In conclusion, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Notable for being the third Famous Studios Popeye cartoon, 'A Hull of a Mess' is not quite one of my favourite Popeye cartoons overall. Although it has pretty much everything that was so great about the best of the Fleischer output while not being quite as imaginative in the formula and humour. That is not saying that 'A Hull of a Mess' is unimaginative, for Famous Studios Popeye it is quite the contrary. The result is a great cartoon and do have to agree that it is one of the best Popeye cartoons from this period of the series and also one of Famous Studios' better Popeye cartoons overall.
One doesn't care so much that the story is on the thin and somewhat formulaic side and basically one big competitive race. Namely because there is enough creativity and variety to stop 'A Hull of a Mess' from being repetitive and the energy is constant and so infectious. The lack of Olive Oyl proved to be a good move and it let it be all about Popeye and Bluto, who were always far more interesting characters anyway, in a competitive situation.
There are many fine things. The animation is great , the backgrounds have lost none of the meticulous attention to detail, it's fluid, Popeye still looks good and is recognisable in design and the shading has atmosphere. Every bit as good is the lively and lushly orchestrated music score, that has character and adds a lot to the action and enhances it.
Popeye is amusing and likeable still, he is convincing as a single character taking on a much larger army, and Jack Mercer doesn't disappoint with the voice acting. Bluto is just as funny and interesting and the chemistry between the two sparkles and carries 'A Hull of a Mess' with boundless energy.
Lots of dialogue and gags that are timed beautifully and are very funny, the best absolutely hilarious, and the energy never wavers. The non-stop action prevents it from being dull.
In conclusion, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•31
- TheLittleSongbird
- Nov 12, 2018
Details
- Runtime6 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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Top Gap
What was the official certification given to A Hull of a Mess (1942) in the United States?
Answer