Ninety Five Years of Ms. Olive Oyl!
For ninety-five years a homely-looking woman has graced the funny pages. Despite being unattractive, muscle men of all shapes and sizes have pined for her. I am speaking of Olive Oyl, who first appeared in the Thimble Theatre comic strip on December 19, 1919 created by E.C. Segar.
Olive Oyl’s early appearances in Segar’s Thimble Theatre.
Baron Von Bagelheim’s Curve-O-Mat Machine turned Olive Oyl into a beautiful blonde. From the daily strip by Ralph Stein (writer) and Bill Zaboly (artist). March 31, 1955.
Segar’s strip was originally produced in a vaudevillian style featuring Olive, her brother Castor Oyl and Ham Gravy. Gravy was Olive’s first boyfriend until a one-eyed sailor joined the cast on January 17th, 1929. Gravy was bopped out of the picture and one of the most enduring romantic couples was born. Segar’s work on Thimble Theatre, during the Popeye years, has been reprinted several times. This has allowed new generations to witness the evolution of Olive and Popeye’s romance.
Olive Oyl is best remembered for appearing in hundreds of Popeye animated cartoons. She made her animation debut in the 1933 film, Popeye the Sailor, which was an entry in the popular Betty Boop series produced by The Fleischer Studios. Originally her homely look was taken right from Segar’s comic strip. By 1945 the cartoons were handled by Famous Studios and Olive received a makeover. Her hair was much fuller on the top of her head. She began wearing a short sleeved shirt, blouse and high heels. On occasion animators enjoyed drawing Olive Oyl with a bust.
Olive deals with a Mae West type character making a play for Popeye. From Never Kick A Woman (Fleischer Studios, 1936).
Olive Oyl, with her new clothes and hair style, from a 1940’s animator’s model sheet.
When Popeye’s enemy, The Sea Hag, appeared in television cartoons produced by King Features Syndicate (1960-63) Olive became more aggressive. Popeye’s sailor’s code would not allow him to bop the old witch. Olive would be seen eating the sailor’s spinach and sending The Sea Hag into orbit. Olive’s independence grew with the debut of Hanna-Barbera’s All New Popeye Hour (1978-81) and The Popeye and Olive Comedy Show (1981-83). Though she still needed Popeye’s help her resourcefulness was more evident. Olive also became Popeye’s business partner in a treasure-seeking service. She starred in her own series of cartoons called Private Olive Oyl along with Alice the Goon. In the short-lived animated half-hour, Popeye & Son, a jump-suited Olive Oyl became the sailor’s wife and mother to a blonde haired son dubbed “Junior”. Thankfully this series came and went after the 1987-88 television season.
The Sea Hag’s Sonny Boy wants Olive for a bride. From the Sunday strip by Bud Sagendorf (September 9, 1962).
During the course of her animated cartoon career Bonnie Poe, Mae Questel, Margie Hines and Marilyn Schreffler voiced Popeye’s lady love.
Shelly Duvall played Olive Oyl to perfection in the Popeye feature film (1980). Though many critics panned the film for its plot and musical numbers, one cannot deny Duvall brought Olive to life.
In both the comic strip and animated films she was a loyal girlfriend to Popeye the Sailor. However if another man looked at her with romance in his eye she would stray. Beyond Segar, many talented writers and artists have worked on her adventures in print. These include Doc Winner, Tom Sims, Joe Musial, Bela Zaboly, Bud Sagendorf, George Wildman, Joe Gill, Bill Pearson, Bobby London and Hy Eisman.
Along with other cast members of Thimble Theatre Olive Oyl has been merchandised heavily. She became the first female balloon in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Popeye’s lady love is very popular in Europe with her own fashion line. In more recent years, Olive Oyl has been promoted by King Features Syndicate – separate from Popeye – with her own Facebook page.
Moschino 100% Silk Olive Oyl Scarf (2014)
Perhaps, after all these years, Olive Oyl has learned not to rely on Popeye’s help for getting out of a jam; One she, no doubt, has gotten herself into. Even today musclemen cannot seem to resist that beanpole of a figure! ARF! ARF!
Happy Birthday Olive Oyl!
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