09/10/2004: 
Stuff That Doesn't Suck
"Popeye: An Illustrated Cultural History" by Fred Grandinetti
from McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers via Watertown Tab
Popeye An Illustrated Cultural History, 2d ed.
Fred M. Grandinetti
ISBN 0-7864-1605-X201 photographs & illustrations, appendices, indexes 343pp. softcover (7 x 10) 2004
$45
Available for immediate shipment
Description
It's a rare comic character who can make audiences laugh for well over half a century-but then again, it's a pretty rare cartoon hero who can boast of forearms thicker than his waist, who can down a can of spinach in a single gulp, or who generally faces the world with one eye squinted completely shut.When E.C. Segar's gruff but lovable sailor man first tooted his pipe to the public on January 7, 1929, it was not in the animated cartoon format for which he is best known today (and which would become the longest running series in film history). Instead it was on the comics page of the New York Journal, as Segar's Thimble Theatre strip. Over the decades to come, Popeye was to appear on radio, television, stage, and even in a live-action feature film.
This comprehensive and lavishly illustrated history is a thoroughly updated and revised edition of the highly acclaimed 1994 work. Animated series and films are examined, noting the different directions each studio took and the changing character designs of the Popeye family. Popeye in other media-comics, books, radio, and a stage play-is thoroughly covered, as are Robert Altman's 1980 live-action film, and Popeye memorabilia.
About the Author
Cartoonist Fred M. Grandinetti, who does not like spinach, co-founded the International Popeye Fanclub. He lives in Watertown, Massachusetts.
Reviews
"A good purchase" -Booklist/RBB"For the most thorough examination of Popeye, no other book comes close" -Big Reel
"Comprehensive...dedicated Popeye fans will welcome it" -Inks
1 Annotation Submitted
Friday the 10th of September, santo26 noted:
i have read the first edition of this book (available at the Watertown Public Library) and give it an enthusiastic thumbs up. Fred gives the reader an absolutely authoritative biography of our man Popeye. It is amazing to behold how much work he put into the book, and for all the information in it, is a really fast and fun read- provided your'e down with the Sailor Man (which i am). Fair warning- readers who might not be up on things Popeye (do you know who the Sea Hag is?) might be a tad lost.
All i know is that i will soon order a copy myself,l and it will sit on the shelf next to the "Drawing With Fred" videos.
