Max and Dave: Color Classics 1936-37:
This season of Color Classics boasted an improved palette, now that the exclusive hold on the 3-strip Technicolor process had been broken.
This season of Color Classics boasted an improved palette, now that the exclusive hold on the 3-strip Technicolor process had been broken.
In 1935-36 Fleischer resumed the Screen Songs “by popular demand” – according to the trade advertisements. But this time certain changes were made.
Some feel the Popeye cartoons may have been formula, but the public was eating it up, like so many spinach rolls.
Exposed garters were out. Long dresses were the order of the day. And “hotcha” numbers gave way to preachy songs about tolerance and other life lessons.
The Color Classics strove for the Disney-esque and frequently featured original songs, some of which were quite memorable.
Popeye the Sailor was “making waves” in the entertainment industry. The songs in his cartoons reflected who he “yam”.
As of July 1st, 1934, all films had to submit to the Production Code and display the MPPDA seal. And yes, that applied to cartoons as well.
One could easily understand if the Fleischer brothers felt their plate to be full as 1934 arrived. And the Screen Songs were proving extremely popular.
Popeye was an immediate smash with both moviegoers and exhibitors, as the first official episode of the sailor’s own series came out only two months after his animated debut.
As the 1933-34 season began, Betty Boop seemed to be holding her popularity. However, she was about to meet a character that would knock her for a row of spinach cans.