Word: corncobs
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...JANUARY 17th, 1929, Elzie Segar introduced into his comic strip "Thimble Theater" a character named Popeye, a one-eyed, banananosed sailor who smoked a corncob pipe. III-favored, inarticulate, but possessed of a keen sense of "humiligration," Popeye quickly rose to star billing in the strip. His broad and timeless appeal lay in his simplicity and in his embodiment of a universal revenge fantasy. As his creator Segar put it: "I'd like to cut loose and knock the heck out of a lot of people, but my good judgement and size hold me back. Instead I use my imagination...
...casting seems intended for faithful representation rather than enhancement of character. Williams plays Popeye straight and he plays him well. He looks the part in his sailor's garb, with a crew cut, "squinky" eye, corncob pipe, ruddy complexion, and latex-enlarged forearms and calves. He also has the gravelly muttering voice and the "pronunskiation" down, and his singing and dancing pass muster. What seems curiously lacking is evidence of Williams' brilliant gift for improvisation. Glimmers shine through occasionally, as when Popeye throws a tantrum because he doesn't want to eat his spinach. Williams, television's "Mork," also contributes...