Seein' Red, White 'N' Blue
Encyclopedia
"Seein' Red, White 'N' Blue" is a 1943 American cartoon short featuring Popeye
, directed by Dan Gordon. It's a World War II propaganda cartoon featuring Bluto trying to escape the draft and fighting along with Popeye against some Japanese spies, Hirohito
and Adolf Hitler
.
himself asks them to leave Hell
. After Bluto and Popeye have climbed out of the massive crater Satan is kicked by an angel, after which they both disappear.
Bluto tries to flee, but is hit in a car accident. Even though he is knocked out the ambulance is only interested in the tires of the vehicle and carries these away on a stretcher instead of Bluto. Bluto tries to get hit by a falling safe
instead, but again Popeye rescues him. This angries Bluto so much that he locks Popeye inside of the object and then throws it away. It crashes inside an orphanage, where several Japanese spies are undercover, dressed as babies. While Popeye is being beaten Bluto drops by to inform him that his arms are bandaged and that he finally will be able to escape the draft. When Bluto sees that Popeye is in trouble he tries to help, but both men are knocked out by the Japanese. While they are being ridiculed Popeye grabs his spinach, eats it and gives some to Bluto (can and all). Both men defeat the Japanese and Popeye's fist reaches so far that he knocks out Hirohito
. The Emperor is hit so hard that he falls on the backside of his horse, (creating a pun on the word "ass
"), and says: "It should happen to Hitler." Sure enough, the next scene cuts to Hitler who gives a speech by saying: "B.O!" ("body odor", a reference to a Lifebuoy
soap commercial). Hitler too is beaten so hard that he loses his moustache. A title card appears asking: "Is their a doctor in the house?", with the word "doctor" crossed out and "undertaker" written in crayon. While he lays unconscious Hermann Göring
runs in and asks his Führer melodramatically "to speak to him." Hitler just says "B.O." again, whereupon Goebbels pulls his face away in disgust.
The cartoon concludes with Bluto finally signing up for his draft, while the imprisoned Japanese all spell his name: "B-L-U-T-O" in reference to the commercial for Jell-o
from that time.
The style of the cartoon is more reminscent of a Looney Tunes
or Tex Avery
cartoon, with wild, frenetic takes and fourth wall
breaking gags geared at adults. Some of the jokes, like the appearance of an attractive woman to the tune of You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby
and the use of the phrase "B.O." were used in a lot of Looney Tunes
cartoons as well.
Popeye
Popeye the Sailor is a cartoon fictional character created by Elzie Crisler Segar, who has appeared in comic strips and animated cartoons in the cinema as well as on television. He first appeared in the daily King Features comic strip Thimble Theatre on January 17, 1929...
, directed by Dan Gordon. It's a World War II propaganda cartoon featuring Bluto trying to escape the draft and fighting along with Popeye against some Japanese spies, Hirohito
Hirohito
, posthumously in Japan officially called Emperor Shōwa or , was the 124th Emperor of Japan according to the traditional order, reigning from December 25, 1926, until his death in 1989. Although better known outside of Japan by his personal name Hirohito, in Japan he is now referred to...
and Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
.
Plot
While Bluto is busy at work in his stable he receives a letter calling him for his draft service in the Navy. Bluto is very reluctant to join in and pretends to be ill. Popeye, who works at the draft bureau, is suspicious and sends a female robot in to create an enthusiastic reaction from him. Even though his trick works Bluto still refuses to join the Navy. In a desperate effort to become disabled Bluto jumps out of the window, followed by Popeye who tries to catch him. They both crash deep into the ground, in fact so deep that SatanSatan
Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible...
himself asks them to leave Hell
Hell
In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations...
. After Bluto and Popeye have climbed out of the massive crater Satan is kicked by an angel, after which they both disappear.
Bluto tries to flee, but is hit in a car accident. Even though he is knocked out the ambulance is only interested in the tires of the vehicle and carries these away on a stretcher instead of Bluto. Bluto tries to get hit by a falling safe
Safe
A safe is a secure lockable box used for securing valuable objects against theft or damage. A safe is usually a hollow cuboid or cylinder, with one face removable or hinged to form a door. The body and door may be cast from metal or formed out of plastic through blow molding...
instead, but again Popeye rescues him. This angries Bluto so much that he locks Popeye inside of the object and then throws it away. It crashes inside an orphanage, where several Japanese spies are undercover, dressed as babies. While Popeye is being beaten Bluto drops by to inform him that his arms are bandaged and that he finally will be able to escape the draft. When Bluto sees that Popeye is in trouble he tries to help, but both men are knocked out by the Japanese. While they are being ridiculed Popeye grabs his spinach, eats it and gives some to Bluto (can and all). Both men defeat the Japanese and Popeye's fist reaches so far that he knocks out Hirohito
Hirohito
, posthumously in Japan officially called Emperor Shōwa or , was the 124th Emperor of Japan according to the traditional order, reigning from December 25, 1926, until his death in 1989. Although better known outside of Japan by his personal name Hirohito, in Japan he is now referred to...
. The Emperor is hit so hard that he falls on the backside of his horse, (creating a pun on the word "ass
Ass
Ass may refer to:* The mammal Equus africanus asinus better known as the Donkey** Asinus subgenus* North American English informal term for buttocks* áss, one of the Æsir in Norse mythology* Ass , by Badfinger...
"), and says: "It should happen to Hitler." Sure enough, the next scene cuts to Hitler who gives a speech by saying: "B.O!" ("body odor", a reference to a Lifebuoy
Lifebuoy
A lifebuoy, ring buoy, lifering, lifesaver, life preserver or lifebelt, also known as a "kisby ring" or "perry buoy", is a life saving buoy designed to be thrown to a person in the water, to provide buoyancy, to prevent drowning...
soap commercial). Hitler too is beaten so hard that he loses his moustache. A title card appears asking: "Is their a doctor in the house?", with the word "doctor" crossed out and "undertaker" written in crayon. While he lays unconscious Hermann Göring
Hermann Göring
Hermann Wilhelm Göring, was a German politician, military leader, and a leading member of the Nazi Party. He was a veteran of World War I as an ace fighter pilot, and a recipient of the coveted Pour le Mérite, also known as "The Blue Max"...
runs in and asks his Führer melodramatically "to speak to him." Hitler just says "B.O." again, whereupon Goebbels pulls his face away in disgust.
The cartoon concludes with Bluto finally signing up for his draft, while the imprisoned Japanese all spell his name: "B-L-U-T-O" in reference to the commercial for Jell-o
Jell-O
Jell-O is a brand name belonging to U.S.-based Kraft Foods for a number of gelatin desserts, including fruit gels, puddings and no-bake cream pies. The brand's popularity has led to it being used as a generic term for gelatin dessert across the U.S. and Canada....
from that time.
About the cartoon
The cartoon is notable for being one of the few where Bluto and Popeye actually fight together to beat a common foe. Because of its dated references to World War II and stereotyping of Japanese people it's no longer shown on American television.The style of the cartoon is more reminscent of a Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes is a Warner Bros. animated cartoon series. It preceded the Merrie Melodies series and was Warner Bros.'s first animated theatrical series. Since its first official release, 1930's Sinkin' in the Bathtub, the series has become a worldwide media franchise, spawning several television...
or Tex Avery
Tex Avery
Frederick Bean "Fred/Tex" Avery was an American animator, cartoonist, voice actor and director, famous for producing animated cartoons during The Golden Age of Hollywood animation. He did his most significant work for the Warner Bros...
cartoon, with wild, frenetic takes and fourth wall
Fourth wall
The fourth wall is the imaginary "wall" at the front of the stage in a traditional three-walled box set in a proscenium theatre, through which the audience sees the action in the world of the play...
breaking gags geared at adults. Some of the jokes, like the appearance of an attractive woman to the tune of You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby
You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby
"You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" is a popular song with music by Harry Warren and lyrics by Johnny Mercer, published in 1938. It was featured in the movie Hard to Get, released November 1938, where it was sung by Dick Powell....
and the use of the phrase "B.O." were used in a lot of Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes is a Warner Bros. animated cartoon series. It preceded the Merrie Melodies series and was Warner Bros.'s first animated theatrical series. Since its first official release, 1930's Sinkin' in the Bathtub, the series has become a worldwide media franchise, spawning several television...
cartoons as well.