1001 toons you need to watch before you die

Sailor taking the spotlight

Popeye the Sailor was technically part of the Betty Boop series when it premiered in 1933. Produced by Fleischer Studios, this cartoon marked Popeye's first animated appearance - and it all began with Betty Boop herself singing a special intro of “I’m Popeye the Sailor Man.”

Though Popeye had been a comic strip character since 1929, this short launched his career in animation. Olive Oyl and Bluto also debuted alongside him, while the signature spinach-fueled strength was already in place - though catchphrases like “I yam what I yam” came later.

The cartoon used rotoscoping to create lifelike animation, a Fleischer trademark. While Popeye would soon become a star in his own right, it was Betty Boop who gave him his big break on screen

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