User Reviews

Popeye and Bluto compete for a contract to build a whole fleet of ships. Before the decision, they must each build and launch their own battleship.

This wartime Popeye hits upon the warship building effort. It has memorable visuals. It's a simple short that fits the war effort.

A Hull of a Mess (1942)

*** (out of 4)

Highly entertaining short has the government offering a contract to either Popeye or Bluto, depending on who can create the first one first. This leads the two men into a fierce battle.

This is certainly one of the better Popeye shorts from this era thanks in large part to a creative story and one that has plenty of action. This here is basically one giant race as we see how both men go about trying to get their ship in order and of course there's a lot of creativity here. What's best is the fact that Bluto is always doing great work yet it's just one small step behind Popeye. There are a lot of funny gags here and makes for a very good time.

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