Popeye 1980 Robin Williams embodied the character like no other
Based on the 1930s comic strip character, the movie brought larger than life personalities to the silver screen. Starring the incomparable Robin Williams, in the title role; his first motion picture. Robin Williams personified Popeye with such zeal, right down to the iconic laugh from the cartoons, that one could imagine the role was made for him. However the fast-mouthed stand-up comic turned quirky alien (Mork & Mindy), had an uphill battle to be taken seriously as a movie star. Needless to say, Popeye is just one of dozens of great examples of this character actor/comedian’s genius.
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Joining the cast of character’s are Shelley Duvall as the twig figured Olive Oil and Paul L.Smith as the burly Bluto. The movie plot introduces all the main characters of the Popeye story-line including Swee’Pea, Poopdeck Pappy (Popeye’s dad) and the ever hungry and broke J. Wellington Wimpy. We also learn that Popeye actual hates his spinach. That is until his father convinces him to eat it, and his vitamin enriched super power strength takes over, to save the day and our beloved from certain doom.
The set has become a popular tourist attraction
Production of the film was in Malta and the over-built set is apparently still available to visit as a tourist attraction. Popeye is a musical that was meant to go head to head with the film Annie, so critics tore apart the script and soundtrack that had to be pieced together from scratch instead of being tested out on Broadway. Actors in Popeye even recorded some of their songs live action instead of lip-syncing to prerecorded in studio songs, which is customary for musical movies.
Ever popular with children, especially fans of the cartoon Popeye. Popeye the movie is fun family entertainment sure to delight for years to come.
