Popeye the Sailor 36-11-23 Popeye Meets The Giant

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – Popeye the Sailor 36-11-23: Popeye Meets The Giant

Episode Information:

• Title: Popeye the Sailor 36-11-23: Popeye Meets The Giant
• Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Release Date: July 22, 2025

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Overview

In this engaging episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio, witnessing a classic adventure featuring beloved characters from the Popeye series. Titled "Popeye Meets The Giant," the episode weaves humor, adventure, and a touch of magical realism as Popeye and his friends encounter giants in their hometown.

Key Characters

• Popeye the Sailor Man: The courageous and spinach-loving protagonist.
• Olive Oyl: Popeye's love interest, known for her kind-hearted nature.
• Wimpy: The ever-hungry friend with a penchant for asking for hamburgers.
• Mrs. Giant: A formidable giantess intent on capturing Popeye and his friends.
• Mr. Giant: Mentioned as Mrs. Giant's husband, though he remains largely off-stage.

Detailed Summary

1. A Slow Walk Home and a Cereal Suggestion (00:09 - 01:51)

The episode opens with Popeye's iconic theme song, setting a nostalgic tone. As Popeye sings his familiar lines, the scene shifts to a young girl, Olive Oyl, returning home from school at a leisurely pace.

• Wimpy's Observation: (00:24)
  "Well, look at that. There's a little girl dragging home from school. My goodness, how slowly she's walking."

• Olive's Response: (01:03)
  "Oh, I don't know. Guess I walk as fast as I feel like walking."

Wimpy seizes the opportunity to promote his favorite cereal, Wheatina, suggesting it could boost Olive's energy levels.

• Wimpy's Pitch: (01:09)
  "If you ate Wheatina pretty often, I don't think school would tire you at all."

Despite Wimpy's enthusiasm, Olive declines his offer, leading to a lighthearted exchange that sets the stage for the day's adventures.

2. Imaginary Adventures and the Decision to Return Home (01:51 - 02:57)

Popeye and his friends reminisce about Olive's imaginative school stories, ranging from battling imaginary Indians to hunting dragons and giants.

• Olive's Confession: (02:20)
  "Maybe sees giants and Wimpy sees hamburgers. And between the two they give me the jitter."

Realizing it's time to head home, Popeye suggests they wrap up their evening.

• Popeye's Directive: (02:10)
  "Avast there, matey. Hold off fighting them imaginary giants and get fixed to shove off."

3. The Magical Beanstalk and Journey to Giant Land (02:57 - 04:11)

Determined to experience a genuine adventure, Olive proposes planting a beanstalk to reach Giant Land.

• Olive's Plan: (02:24)
  "All right, Wimpy, let's plant a beanstalk and go up and catch some giants."

Using a magical geranium, the group witnesses it transforming into a towering beanstalk, leading them skyward.

• Giant's Magic: (02:36)
  "Its magic power will transform yon geranium Into a giant bee's head."

Excitement builds as Popeye expresses his eagerness to explore Giant Land.

• Popeye's Enthusiasm: (03:02)
  "I am interested to go looking for these here giants. Come on, mate."

4. Encounter with Mrs. Giant (04:11 - 08:50)

Upon arriving in Giant Land, the trio discovers a grand castle adorned with a "No Trespassing" sign specifically targeting anyone named Jack.

• Castle Sign: (04:11)
  "G. Giant Esquire. No trespassing. Anybody by the name of Jack keep out."

Mistaken identities and quick thinking come into play as they meet Mrs. Giant, who reveals her intent to make them her meal.

• Mrs. Giant's Threat: (07:23)
  "Now I Think I'll begin my meal with this young man here."

A scuffle ensues between Popeye and Mrs. Giant, showcasing Popeye's strength and wit.

• Popeye Confrontation: (07:56)
  "But I'm going to swing one on your nose. Here I goes."

Amid the chaos, Olive devises a plan to use the Wheatina cereal to save them, leveraging its supposed magical properties.

5. The Great Escape and Return (08:50 - 12:17)

With quick teamwork, Popeye, Olive, and Wimpy manage to rescue each other and escape Giant Land by descending the rapidly growing geranium beanstalk.

• Popeye's Return: (12:02)
  "Here we is on Olive's floor."

Back on solid ground, Olive reflects on their adventure, pondering the thin line between reality and imagination.

• Olive's Reflection: (12:04)
  "To think I was Maddie the giant killer just a little while ago."

6. The Wheatina Cereal Promotion (12:17 - 13:56)

The episode wraps up with Wimpy taking center stage to extol the virtues of Wheatina, blending seamlessly into the narrative as a promotional segment.

• Wimpy's Endorsement: (13:01)
  "Because a wheat cereal like Wheatina helps to restore a patient's strength."

He emphasizes how Wheatina benefits everyone, from children to hardworking parents, encouraging listeners to incorporate it into their daily routines.

• Closing Pitch: (13:13)
  "Eat it now, serve it now, let it help to keep you full of zip and life. You and your whole family."

The episode concludes with Popeye reprising his signature tune, leaving listeners with a sense of nostalgia and warmth.

• Popeye's Final Lines: (13:56)
  "I am what I am. Cause I am what I am. I'm Popeye the sailor man."

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Wimpy on Wheatina:
  (01:09) "If you ate Wheatina pretty often, I don't think school would tire you at all."

• Olive on Attempting to Save Herself:
  (05:15) "They aren't good to eat. They said so themselves."

• Mrs. Giant on Her Intentions:
  (06:20) "There must be some secret nook or cranny where they can hide it."

• Popeye Confronting Danger:
  (07:56) "But I'm going to swing one on your nose. Here I goes."

• Wimpy's Cereal Endorsement:
  (13:13) "Eat it now, serve it now, let it help to keep you full of zip and life."

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Conclusion

Popeye Meets The Giant seamlessly blends adventure with classic character dynamics, all while cleverly integrating a promotional segment for Wheatina cereal. Harold's Old Time Radio successfully captures the essence of old-time radio shows, offering both entertainment and subtle product placement. Fans of Popeye and classic radio dramas will find this episode both nostalgic and enjoyable.

Transcript

[Popeye]

I'm Popeye, the sailor man. I'm Popeye, the sailor man. I am what I am. Cause I am what I am. I'm Popeye, the sailor man.

[Wimpy]

Wee Tina's his diet. He asks you you to try it with Popeye the sailor man. Well, well, look at that. There's a little girl dragging home from school. My goodness, how slowly she's walking. No zip, no speed. But just listen to that. Old Keech ought to be able to catch up with. Why, hello there, little girl. I just wondered why you were walking so slowly.

[Olive Oyl]

Oh, I don't know. Guess I walk as fast as I feel like walking. Who sort of tires me out.

[Wimpy]

Well, gee, that's too bad. Say, did you ever hear old Popeye on the radio?

[Olive Oyl]

Yes, indeed. Isn't he a funny old fellow?

[Wimpy]

Well, sure he's funny, but that's not the point. I'd like to know why you don't eat his favorite cereal. Now, if you ate Wheatina pretty often, I don't think school would tire you at all. Why, that delicious hot brown wheat cereal puts zip into your whole body. Helps you get a big kick out of school and play. And it's a grand tasting cereal, too. Now, why don't you try Wheatina for a while? I'll bet you walk home from school so fast I'll never catch up with you. Now, will you try?

[Olive Oyl]

You just try to stop me from trying, Wheatina. Goodbye.

[Wimpy]

Now, since Matey's been going to school, he started reading about storybook characters that are all new to him. One day he's fighting imaginary Indians and the next he's off with King Arthur to his court or out hunting dragons and giants. Maybe Wimpy and Popeye have had supper at Olives. And as it's getting late, Popeye thinks it's about time to start for home.

[Popeye]

Avast there, matey. Hold off fighting them imaginary giants and gets get fixed to shove off.

[Olive Oyl]

Maybe sees giants and Wimpy sees hamburgers. And between the two they give me the jitter.

[Giant]

Come, matey, we must do stick together. They are running us down.

[Olive Oyl]

All right, Wimpy, let's plant a beanstalk and go up and catch some giants. Now, don't you go a tampering with my potted plans.

[Giant]

We do not tamper, we make magic. Hand me the geranium, lad.

[Olive Oyl]

Gee whiz, Wimpy, what are you gonna do?

[Giant]

Give the geranium some of Popeye's favorite ceremony.

[Olive Oyl]

Well, of all the crazy notions.

[Giant]

Its magic power will transform yon geranium Into a giant bee's head.

[Popeye]

That makes me laugh. Go ahead, Wimpy.

[Giant]

One bowl for the geranium coming up.

[Olive Oyl]

You're not careful, Wimpy.

[Giant]

Behold, it grows apace.

[Olive Oyl]

For pity's sake, I'm a seeing things. I'm a going crazy.

[Popeye]

That's all right, Olive. This is a crazy idea. Feed it some more, Wimpy, and let's see what happens.

[Giant]

Hold two for the geranium.

[Olive Oyl]

Stop it, Wimpy. That geranium will go right through my roll. Too late, Alice. It's going through already.

[Popeye]

Yeah, and look at that there ceiling. It just seems to melt right away.

[Olive Oyl]

Off she goes. Hey, boat. That terrarium must reach all the way to the clouds. Do you suppose it really reaches all the way up to Giant Land? I don't know, but I'm gonna find out. Anybody else coming?

[Popeye]

Sure. We all climbs up this geranium with you. Come on. Lead the way, mate.

[Olive Oyl]

Gracious me. Just look. Nothing but fields and fields of kalawas. Of course, this is Giant Land.

[Popeye]

Well, let's go. I am interested to go looking for these here giants. Come on, mate.

[Olive Oyl]

My, oh, my, what a gorgeous castle. Hey, look, everybody. There's a sign on the door. Well, did you ever? It says, G. Giant Esquire. No trespassing. Anybody by the name of Jack keep out. This means you.

[Popeye]

There ain't none of us by the name of Jack.

[Giant]

Ah, but it says this means you.

[Olive Oyl]

Say, I didn't come all the way up here for nothing. I'd want to see a giant poke.

[Popeye]

Like a giant killer. Matey, knock on the door and let's go in.

[Olive Oyl]

Just a minute. I'll be there. Help. It's a lady giant.

[Giant]

Dainty little thing about the size of a Mack truck.

[Olive Oyl]

Oh, is there lady human beings again? You shouldn't have come up here. However did you do it? We climbed up here on the stem of a pot of geranium. Geranium, huh? Last time it was a beanstalk. Heaven knows what next. Well, we came up here to see a giant. That's where you made your big mistake. Especially if any of you are named Jack.

[Giant]

We are not even related to any Jack.

[Olive Oyl]

Well, in that case, come on in. Have a seat. My husband, Mr. G. Giant, Esquire, should be here any minute. I suppose, Mrs. Giant, if any of us were named Jack, your husband had eat them. Oh, my, no. Never. Anyone named Jack would give him violent indigestion.

[Popeye]

Billy, there billet you means we agrees with this here giant digesting.

[Olive Oyl]

Oh, yes. Yes, indeed. You look a little tough. Now. But you can be made into a frequency. She's a going to feed us to the giant. Now let's see, Miss. You ought to make a very nice chicken patty.

[Giant]

If you think I'm any mushroom, you're mistaken. I'm a toadstool. And I'm very poisonous.

[Olive Oyl]

Oh, dear. Oh, mercy me. I can just see poor little me all covered with Kareem sauce. You just shouldn't have come up here. It's your own fault. Listen.

[Giant]

Mercy. What do I hear?

[Olive Oyl]

That's probably Mr. Giant coming home for his dinner. He stopped a minute to tie up his horse. Oh, Mrs. Giant, please, please have mercy. Hide her somewhere. I don't want to be asked. I'm very tender hearted. At least the storybook says so. But now I don't know what to do.

[Giant]

There surely must be some secret nook or cranny where they can hide it.

[Olive Oyl]

Well, get under the table here. Meantime, I'll try to do something quick. Scramble. Go ahead. Quiet everybody. Here he comes.

[Mrs. Giant]

I'm home, my little turtle dove. And I'm hungry.

[Olive Oyl]

And dinner's been ready half an hour. Well, up your chair.

[Mrs. Giant]

All right, my little chickadee, help out.

[Olive Oyl]

You're a stepping on my hand.

[Mrs. Giant]

I thought so. I knew I smelled something from here before I dragged you out.

[Olive Oyl]

Harlow, you're squeezing Mercy.

[Giant]

Please, sir. I assure you I'm inedible.

[Popeye]

Look here. Yes, Flop, lick all my ear before I bop you one.

[Olive Oyl]

Ah.

[Mrs. Giant]

And by my beard, watch this.

[Olive Oyl]

I'm not Jack, I'm Matey. I'm Popeye's pal. Oh, please, dear husband, I beseech you. They wandered up here by mistake. They're not good to eat. They said so themselves.

[Mrs. Giant]

I'll be the judge of that.

[Popeye]

That's what you think. But I'm going to swing one on your nose. Here I goes.

[Mrs. Giant]

Hey, you twistied my toes. Let's go buy those. You're Honeybee. I can't breathe. Let go, I say.

[Popeye]

And whilst I'm a swingin on your nose, I gives you me short jab.

[Mrs. Giant]

Ouch. This small violet has a mighty pulse.

[Popeye]

Yeah. And when I gets me favorite cereal, I laze ye among the sweepies.

[Mrs. Giant]

First you have to get the chance. I'm going to jam your head into yonder jug and jam it in tight. Come here.

[Giant]

Heavens. Popeye has wedged and yonder crock. Now I cannot give him his favorite cereal.

[Mrs. Giant]

And you, Kippy or Skippy or whatever your name is, get into this coal box.

[Olive Oyl]

Oh dear. Whatever's going to happen next?

[Mrs. Giant]

Now I Think I'll begin my meal with this young man here.

[Olive Oyl]

Well, it's a good thing I haven't had any of Popeye's favorite cereal lately. Why? Maybe. Whatever you were talking about, I'm trying to fool a child.

[Mrs. Giant]

What do you mean, cereal, lad?

[Olive Oyl]

Well, if I'd had some favorite cereal, I'd make a wonderful dinner for you. As it is, you won't get much satisfaction out of eating me. Oh, I see. That's right, matey. I'm glad I didn't give you Emmy.

[Mrs. Giant]

Will this cereal of what you speak really make the lad into a good meal?

[Olive Oyl]

Oh, just the tenderest, most delicious morsel you ever ate.

[Mrs. Giant]

Well, give him some. Give him luff and you shall go free.

[Olive Oyl]

All right, matey, come and get it. I hate to do this, but a girl must look out for herself. It's all right, Olive. I'll gladly do this for you. My requirements are two bowls. Two bowls are coming up.

[Mrs. Giant]

E fi foo fum yummy yum, yummy, yum.

[Olive Oyl]

It's wheat. Tina, Two bowls in a hurry for Maisie. Come on, now. Look at me. Muskle.

[Mrs. Giant]

Won'T tell me. Lad, that cereal was supposed to make you tender, not to give you muscle.

[Olive Oyl]

That's what you think. Look out. Here comes Matey, the giant killer.

[Mrs. Giant]

Help. Help. Help. It's Jack in disguise.

[Olive Oyl]

Run, husband, run. I might have known it were Jack. You can daddy around the room. I'll get him. Try to trip, my fellows. I'll throw this chair at me. There he goes. Spare him. Spare my husband. Oh, Jack, please, can you? I, Matey, not Jack. And here goes Matey's new special extra giant sock. Oh, my poor husband. That'll keep him tired for a spell, matey. Now help me pull Popeye out of this jug. Okay, I've got one leg. I've got the other. Pull. Yay. Out he comes.

[Popeye]

Ahoy, all hen.

[Olive Oyl]

Quick, matey, let's get Wimpy out of the coal box before the giant comes to his sam sail. Oh, please, have a heart. I assure you, my husband will be a vegetarian the rest of his days. Hey, Wimpy, push the lid up and come on out.

[Giant]

Thank you, my lad. I'll be out in one hop.

[Olive Oyl]

Come on, Kawink, let's get out of here. We have no business coming in the first place.

[Popeye]

Okay, all hands. We hurried.

[Olive Oyl]

Here's the geranium top. Hurry, jump on.

[Popeye]

All aboard the geranium express elevator.

[Olive Oyl]

Hey, the geranium dribbling down fast.

[Giant]

Excellent. I do not have to exert Myself climbing down.

[Popeye]

Well, I guess that's goodbye to the giants all.

[Olive Oyl]

My, this geranium is a taking us down sale.

[Popeye]

Hold on, all hands.

[Olive Oyl]

Look out. It's so small and tumbling off.

[Giant]

Help.

[Popeye]

Here we is on Olive's floor.

[Olive Oyl]

Well, we all don't look silly a sitting in the middle of the floor around this geranium plant. Look Julian, to think I was Maddie the giant killer just a little while ago.

[Giant]

If it was only a dream, it was a pleasant one, for we all.

[Popeye]

Shared the same excitement them's elegant sentiments would be. And anyways, half the giants in this here world is make believe. And if you all knows it, oh, you can have a lot of fun popping them.

[Wimpy]

Hey, Nurse, what did you carry into Mr. Bulger just now?

[Olive Oyl]

Why his breakfast, of course. What else would it be this time of day?

[Wimpy]

Well, you got me there.

[Mrs. Giant]

But.

[Wimpy]

But what was on the tray?

[Olive Oyl]

A bit of fruit juice and a bowl of Witchina. And milk.

[Wimpy]

Well, that's what I'm getting at, Nurse. So the patient gets Wee Tina, does he? Well, why Wee Tina, if I may ask? A busy girl.

[Olive Oyl]

Two reasons, Mr. Cross Examiner. Because a wheat cereal like Wee Tina helps to restore a patient's strength. And because most patients like the taste of it. Most every hospital I ever worked in has had hutina on its menu.

[Wimpy]

You don't say? Wait till I get to a microphone and tell that to the world. Oh, here we are. You know folks, it isn't likely that hospitals buy foods blindly now is it? Chances are they know what they're doing. Well, take a tip from them. The same strength that Wheatina pours into a convalescent patient, it gives to a hard playing boy or girl. Yes, and to a hard driven daddy. And you can get it right in your own home any day for breakfast. Eat it now, serve it now, let it help to keep you full of zip and life. You and your whole family.

[Popeye]

I am what I am. Cause I am what I am. I'm Popeye the sail man.