The distribution deal covers all of the original 231 Popeye animated shorts released theatrically by Paramount Pictures between 1933 and 1957. Warner also has licensed the exclusive rights to 220 Popeye made-for-TV animated shorts produced from 1960 to 1962, 65 episodes of "The Continuing Adventures of Popeye," produced from 1978 to 1981 (and consisting of 161 animated shorts) and 26 "Popeye & Son" shorts produced in 1987.
Warner’s first Popeye DVD release is expected to street in 2007.
The Popeye theatrical slate includes 120 black & white shorts (106 of them produced by Fleischer Studios, the other 14 by Famous Studios) and 111 Technicolor cartoons (three produced by Fleischer Studios and 108 produced by Famous Studios).
Warner Home Video said it will start work immediately on preservation and restoration activities.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Spinach City
According to this article (as well as an online chat tonight), Warner Brothers has acquired the home video rights to the Fleischer "Popeye" cartoons:
Wonderful news! I can't wait to hear what cartoons will be on the first DVD, in part because I'm curious to see how many of the people who complained that they would never see the Popeye cartoons on DVD will complain about the specific titles Warner releases first.
ReplyDeleteAnother division of Time Warner, that is the Cartoon Network, did right by Popeye when the Fleischer cartoons were shown on Sunday nights a few years back. I have faith Warners will do likewise with the sailor man, as I agree with many that the '30s Popeyes may be the most sumptuous series of black-and-white cartoons ever made.
ReplyDelete