10 Forgotten Disney Movies That Deserve A Second Chance

6. Popeye (1980)

Popeye

What a strange trip from imagination to reality for this movie. The original comic was not even intended for children, and Popeye was just one of many characters in the Thimble Theater comic strip. In fact, he wasn't even Olive Oyl's beau. That unenviable task fell to a small time gambler names Ham Gravy. Seriously, you can look it up if you like. Poor Popeye was the rough and tumble sailor the family hired to take them on an adventure, and he stole the show, the girl and the strip. Then, in the 1930's, he was told to clean up his language, and was softened up a bit to make him more kid friendly. Fifty years later, Disney tried to soften him up more, starring him in a live action movie full of bright cartoonish characters in a dreary setting, over the top makeup, and songs. Oh my, the songs. They were......painful. I apologize in advance for subjecting you to this one: Sadly, Robin Williams was his usual,self, which could have saved this movie had he been surrounded by better actors. Shelly Duvall did her darnedest, but she really was painful to watch in this film. So, is it worth a remake? In a word, maybe. Given the advances in movie magic (the ability to turn great big John Rhys-Davies into a dwarf among others for example) any remake could give us a short Popeye next to a gangling Olive Oyl. We could get a believable Sweet Pea, and the fights between Bluto and Popeye would be more fun to watch. And, on a personal note, please, Disney, if you care about your movie fans at all: NO SINGING!
Contributor
Contributor

A voracious reader, crafter and maker, lover of cinema, a fan of Disney, Dr Who and most things sci-fi, I spend my time either with my family or on whatever hobby has struck my fancy at the moment. I was raised all over the East Coast of the United States, and now reside on the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan.