In July of 2007, fans of Popeye, the Sailor cheered when Warners released a four-disc set containing the first 60 animated cartoons, in chronological order, from 1933 to 1938. Restoration from archival 35mm negatives, and loaded with bonus extras, we were treated with the promise of future volumes -- also in chronological order. As a fan of Popeye, having grown up with the cartoons on local television (pre-cable TV days), I rushed out and bought my set. In 2008 we were treated to volumes two and three -- the latter of which included the last of the black and white classics.
And then there was silence...
Where is volume four? many asked. The fourth entry would have started with the color cartoons... But alas, there was no volume four. Now, exactly ten years later, we learn that Warners gave the green light for a fourth volume -- but with one catch. If sales do not exceed expectations, there will be no further restoration or releases.
Now titled Popeye, the Sailor: The 1940s, Volume 1, this DVD continues where volume three left off. Transferred from the original Technicolor three-strip negatives, complete and uncut. But animation fans need your help. The studio will gauge the sales of this particular release (pictured here) based on the first 60 or 90 days of sales. So click the links below (both BluRay and DVD provided) and grab your copy today. The future of Popeye will depend on you.
As for myself, I bought five. Four of them were used as Christmas gifts.
DVD Release
Blu-Ray Release
