Animation historian Jerry Beck discusses “The Hungry Goat,” an extremely unusual Popeye short because the gags are much more outlandish a la Tex Avery and Popeye is not the star, instead playing a foil to the goat, as if he were Elmer Fudd. It’s likely this cartoon was made to introduce the goat and spin him off, but I don’t know if he ever appeared again.
There are plenty of other special features for the Popeye and/or animation enthusiast. Aside from five additional commentary tracks, there are three Popeye Popumentaries that focus on director/animator Myron Walden, who it is great to see interviewed and receiving well deserved recognition; wartime cartoons; and Popeye’s nephews. There are three Out of the Inkwell shorts from the 1920s. They are very amusing, and even after having already seen other Inkwell shorts, I am still astounded at the interaction between animation and real life. “Forging The Frame: The Roots of Animation, 1921-1930” is a great 28-minute documentary that is very insightful about animation pioneers like the Flesischers, Walter Lantz, Walt Disney, etc and the transition into sound. A ’29 Western Electric short called “Finding His Voice” explains how sound in film works.
While some fans will need to complete the set, Popeye The Sailor, Volume 3 is not a must-have. There are funny moments, but not as many as the previous volumes. For those on a budget, a rental would be a better option since there are some that don’t need to be rewatched and even a few that don’t require an initial viewing. Popeye The Sailor, Volume 3 marks the end of an era as Popeye transitioned into color and never reached the same heights of hilarity.
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