ReFrederator Blog

This week ReFrederator takes a look at the common, everyday working stiff, as we launch Occupational Hazard Week.

Our first vocation animation is the 1937 Max Fleischer epic, “The Paneless Window Washer”, which might have been alternately titled “Why It’s Maybe Not Such a Good Idea to Have Popeye and Bluto Do Your Windows.” Apparently, only Bluto seems to be in the actual business, but as usual, he’s somewhat ethically challenged (the guy spends the first part of the morning dirtying people’s windows) and when he does get down to cases, he pretty much does a crappy job of it. Naturally Popeye steps in to offer superior service to Olive Oil, and before you can say ‘corncob pipe,’ our boys are mixing it up over some snazzy forced perspective background art. It’s worth noting that Olive has a paying job here too — stenographer. One can only hope her accuracy is matched by the ferocity of her arm waving.

Great stuff — make sure your volume is turned up so you can catch all the goofy little adlibs thrown in by the voice artists Jack Mercer, Mae Questel and Gus Wickie.) Hope nobody complained too much about those fist-holes Popeye leaves in the side of the skyscraper!

ReFrederator returns tomorrow, like a house on fire!

Dave Kirwan