"Spinach Roadster" was illustrative of the relationship between Popeye and Bluto, which varied from one episode to another. Bluto was made originally, by Max and Dave Fleischer, Popeye's nemesis, though he appeared in only one or two episodes in the Thimble Theater comic strip of Elzie Segar's, BRUTUS being the REAL heavy then; he and Popeye were later often friendly rivals instead. In this Popeye cartoon, Bluto and Popeye were showcasing their cars. Popeye opened by driving his tin Lizzie, singing a new song, "When I'm at the Wheel of my Automobile", with anchor as brake, naturally as he WAS a sailor. Bluto drove up in his sharp new car, offering Olive a ride, but she was already going with Popeye, in what Bluto called "that piece of junk". Popeye got that rattletrap started and drove off with Olive; Bluto was determined to sabotage the jaunt. First, Bluto changed the sign that read Route "D" to say DETOUR, arrow pointing toward a rock-strewn by-road. (Route "D" IS really only make-believe, as it is not likely that there IS a place where letters instead of numbers are used for routes; I once envisioned that sort of place, but it was just fantasie.) Popeye negotiated it, causing rocks to fall on Bluto. So, Bluto caused the gas to run out and sabotaged the jalopy, driving away with Olive. Popeye opened his repair kit to find FOUR CANS OF SPINACH, naturally. These gave him strength and got his car running. Popeye finally punched Bluto and his car, so he pedaled away boo-hoo-ing on a scooter, sniveling about loss of his fine car (showing him to be adult-sized baby, which, sadly, many supposed grown-ups are in reality); Popeye triumphantly drives on with Olive. Amusing way of illustrating what Popeye and Bluto are li
