In 1933, Max and Dave Fleischer's Fleischer Studios adapted the Thimble Theater characters into a series of Popeye the Sailor theatrical cartoon shorts for Paramount Pictures. These cartoons proved to be among the most popular of the 1930s, and Popeye at one time rivaled Mickey Mouse for popularity among audiences.
After Paramount assumed control of the Fleischer Studio in 1942, they continued producing the series until 1957. Later Popeye cartoons were produced for television from 1960 to 1962 by King Features, and from 1978 to 1982 and 1987 to 1988 by Hanna-Barbera Productions (now owned by Warner Brothers).
Indeed, one wonders if Fleischer could have deposed Disney as the premiere animator of the time with Popeye, Superman and Betty Boop. (And, I think, Felix the Cat)
393 posted on 05/22/2007 4:52:43 AM PDT by Tanniker Smith
(I didn't know she was a Liberal when I married her.)
