. . . observes "Popeye," referring to the buxom proprietress and sole employee of a local workout gym to which he's brought his sidekick, "Olive" as NEVER KICK A WOMAN opens. Getting back to the gym rat in question, "Mae's" topside assets reduce Olive's pathetic upper attributes to the proverbial "mosquito bites" in comparison. Series viewers long under-whelmed by Olive's alleged desirability are not surprised to see Popeye defecting toward Mae's age-appropriate Twin Peaks in half a New York Minute. This gym mistress soon proves that pointy torpedoes are not her only weapons, as she rearranges the uppity Ms. Pipe Cleaner's face with several left-right combinations. Were it not for her desperate ingestion of a performance-enhancing leafy green vegetable at this juncture, the oily Allen wench would be doomed to a catastrophic trashing. However, when Olive resorts to gobbling purloined spinach from her erstwhile admirer's stash, she's soon able to beat the cleavage (and other stuffing) out of the bodacious daisy Mae. NEVER KICK A WOMAN may relegate Popeye to the sidelines, but its hair-raising cat fight proves that the NFL is guilty of blatant sex discrimination.
14 Reviews
foxy boxing
movieman_kev11 September 2020
Fun watch, not only because of the reversed roles
Horst_In_Translation14 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
"Never Kick a Woman" is an American cartoon from 1936, so this one is already over 80 years old and it is a Fleischer Studios production and that of course means here we have another Popeye short film that runs for 6.5 minutes (not one of the longest or shortest) and is in black-and-white like most of the others. I am generally not too big a fan of the spinach sailor, but this one here actually convinced me. It is funnier and different compared to most of the others. One reason may be that for once we have a pretty different story line. Bluto is not in it (nothing against him, he's great) and neither are the chubby buddy, the grandpa or the baby (which is good as I find all 3 of them rather bland). Popeye actually has a new female suitor here, a boxer as the film takes place almost in its entirety at a boxing studio. Olive obviously is not amused. Her skills are very random though. She dodges all of Popeyes's punches early on like a pro, impressive stuff, but yeah maybe Popeye should read the title of the film here again. There is also one really nice politically incorrect moment when Popeye talks about the equipment, but actually means the attractive female boxer. I can see liberal snowflakes going full rage already watching this one. Anyway, Olive when fighting with the actual non-living equipment is not as much of a pro as she seemed earlier on, but acts really clumsy before she gets mad when Popeye is flattered by the other chick and then really destroys the equipment like a pro again. But when she fights the other woman, she is as clumsy as it gets once again and gets knocked out eventually. But with the last bit of power she can grab a bit of Popeye's spinach and transforms into a savage pussy (oh yeah I did!) taking care of the other suitor with ease. And then taking care of Popeye as well for being so mildly unfaithful punching him. Of course, the other way they would not have gotten away with that, so maybe that is what the title stands for. Pay attention to how ideal women back then were depicted as really tall. Not only is Olive much taller than Popeye, but so is the other girl. Still she calls him a big boy on one occasions. I guess that refers to his muscles though. Overall, a good watch and like I wrote earlier, a contender for my favorite Popeye movie. I would say it is a good choice to start getting into Popeye, but no it is not because you will not appreciate the difference it makes compared to other Popeye cartoons if you don't know them. Overall, a thumbs-up and I recommend checking it out.
Subtly erotic
sandm1n25 August 2002
Some subtle, and some not-so-subtle eroticism in this cartoon. The big blonde Mae West-type character is easily the sexiest woman ever in a Popeye cartoon, although Olive Oyl eventually changes that. There is both a black-and-white and a colorized version being shown on TV.
cat fight
SnoopyStyle4 May 2024
Popeye and Olive Oyl watch a woman doing some good boxing. They are both impressed. Popeye tries to teach Olive self-defense. It does not go well. The lady boxer is quite a sexy gal which has a terrific effect on Popeye. Olive notices and she hates it. Eventually, it turns into a real cat fight. Literally.
Obviously, we all know who is eating the spinach in this one. I do have an issue with Popeye. This story would still work even without him going gaga over the sexy boxer. It is the same issue with Olive's lust for Bluto. It never makes these characters look good. That's why this romance is not one of the greats.
Obviously, we all know who is eating the spinach in this one. I do have an issue with Popeye. This story would still work even without him going gaga over the sexy boxer. It is the same issue with Olive's lust for Bluto. It never makes these characters look good. That's why this romance is not one of the greats.
Olive Oyl Has The Tables Turned On Her!
ccthemovieman-15 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Those who are mainly familiar with Popeye cartoons from the 1950s on up probably would be surprised at watching a number of these 1930s one, from the first several years of Popeye. They would be surprised at how many of them had a brief song or two. They didn't last long and they had humorous catchy lyrics and they set up the theme for the story.
In here, Popeye sings about "learning the art of self-defense" trying to encourage Olive to learn how to protect herself. He gets the idea when he and Olive stroll by a store window where a very big and well-built woman is hitting a punching bag and promoting physical fitness.
Popeye sings and pushes Olive inside since the latter is not interested in exercise. (It shows, doesn't it?) Once inside, the woman ambles over and with her best Mae West impression, compliments Popeye who is impressed with her, too. Olive is not happy and now is ready to take boxing lessons!
Olive is horrible, though, and "Mae West" is laughing. The next thing you know she flirting with Popeye and asks him, "Why don't you come up and see me sometime?"
"I'm practically there now!," answers Popeye.
It was good to see Olive on the short end of the romance for once instead of flirting with Bluto and getting Popeye all upset. The tables are turned in this one.
Speaking of that, the last two minutes are hilarious as Olive, not Popeye, winds up using spinach to dispatch her foe. It was very funny and I could picture all the people in the theater laughing at Olive's impersonation of Popeye at the very end with the pipe and hat!
In here, Popeye sings about "learning the art of self-defense" trying to encourage Olive to learn how to protect herself. He gets the idea when he and Olive stroll by a store window where a very big and well-built woman is hitting a punching bag and promoting physical fitness.
Popeye sings and pushes Olive inside since the latter is not interested in exercise. (It shows, doesn't it?) Once inside, the woman ambles over and with her best Mae West impression, compliments Popeye who is impressed with her, too. Olive is not happy and now is ready to take boxing lessons!
Olive is horrible, though, and "Mae West" is laughing. The next thing you know she flirting with Popeye and asks him, "Why don't you come up and see me sometime?"
"I'm practically there now!," answers Popeye.
It was good to see Olive on the short end of the romance for once instead of flirting with Bluto and getting Popeye all upset. The tables are turned in this one.
Speaking of that, the last two minutes are hilarious as Olive, not Popeye, winds up using spinach to dispatch her foe. It was very funny and I could picture all the people in the theater laughing at Olive's impersonation of Popeye at the very end with the pipe and hat!
Greatest Popeye film ever. Any copies out there?
johndcassady@hotmail.com13 July 2002
Probably the greatest ever Popeye cartoon. An off-the-wall, vaguely erotic plot line, with an original tin pan alley song ("Learn the Art of Self Defense") that deserves to be revived by some post-modern art band. A color computerized version is alleged to exist. Does anyone out there know where one can get it (or even a regular taped version)? It's criminal that King Syndicate will not release most of the Max Fleischer Popeye films.
Olive Oyl..Ahead of her time?
ManCalldHorseonaHorseWitNoName26 March 2000
IT is amazing looking back on this cartoon about Olive Oyl taking up boxing. It has taken many DECADES for the rest of society to catch up with this notion of women boxing.
Who would have thought that Olive Oyl was such a trailblazer.
Who would have thought that Olive Oyl was such a trailblazer.
Popeye at the gym
TheLittleSongbird29 August 2018
Dave Fleischer was responsible for many gems. Ones that were amusing and charming, though over-cuteness did come through in some efforts and the stories were always pretty thin, with appealing characters, outstanding music and visuals that were inventive and with innovative animation techniques.
'Never Kick a Woman' is one of the best Popeye cartoons to me. It is extremely well done and never less than very funny, its best parts being hilarious. Have always enjoyed many of the Popeye cartoons a good deal and like Popeye very much, Fleischer's efforts were always well animated and scored with lots of entertainment value and great chemistry between the characters. 'Never Kick a Woman' has everything that makes the Popeye series so appealing in its prime era and sees the characters on top form, didn't mind the absence of Bluto at all and feel that with the premise it was the right decision to not have him.
The story is an interesting and beautifully paced one, never being dull, if slightly formulaic (not uncommon with the Popeye cartoons). The humour and gags make it even more entertaining, 'Never Kick a Woman' is non-stop fast-paced wildness, boy is 'Never Kick a Woman' wild, and laughter, avoiding the trap of repetition.
All the characters are great, Olive Oyl is not underused and she charms and amuses. Those two are spot on and their chemistry drives 'Never Kick a Woman' and has so much energy. Popeye is always amusing and likeable and the woman is a great foil. Loved the role reversals here, which was refreshing, and a rare case of Olive not getting the upper hand, which set 'Never Kick a Woman' apart from other Popeye cartoons. The gym setting is used to great advantage, though it's the character interplay that is most memorable here.
Furthermore, the animation is beautifully drawn and with enough visual detail to not make it cluttered or static and lively and smooth movement. The music is also outstanding, lots of merry energy and lush orchestration, adding a lot to the action and making the impact even better without being too cartoonish. Fleischer's direction is always accomplished and his style is all over it.
Voice acting is dynamic and of very good quality, Mae Questel is a good fit for Olive Oyl, the voice that most sticks in my mind for the character and who voiced her the best. Jack Mercer is even better than William Costello.
Overall, great Popeye cartoon. 9/10 Bethany Cox
'Never Kick a Woman' is one of the best Popeye cartoons to me. It is extremely well done and never less than very funny, its best parts being hilarious. Have always enjoyed many of the Popeye cartoons a good deal and like Popeye very much, Fleischer's efforts were always well animated and scored with lots of entertainment value and great chemistry between the characters. 'Never Kick a Woman' has everything that makes the Popeye series so appealing in its prime era and sees the characters on top form, didn't mind the absence of Bluto at all and feel that with the premise it was the right decision to not have him.
The story is an interesting and beautifully paced one, never being dull, if slightly formulaic (not uncommon with the Popeye cartoons). The humour and gags make it even more entertaining, 'Never Kick a Woman' is non-stop fast-paced wildness, boy is 'Never Kick a Woman' wild, and laughter, avoiding the trap of repetition.
All the characters are great, Olive Oyl is not underused and she charms and amuses. Those two are spot on and their chemistry drives 'Never Kick a Woman' and has so much energy. Popeye is always amusing and likeable and the woman is a great foil. Loved the role reversals here, which was refreshing, and a rare case of Olive not getting the upper hand, which set 'Never Kick a Woman' apart from other Popeye cartoons. The gym setting is used to great advantage, though it's the character interplay that is most memorable here.
Furthermore, the animation is beautifully drawn and with enough visual detail to not make it cluttered or static and lively and smooth movement. The music is also outstanding, lots of merry energy and lush orchestration, adding a lot to the action and making the impact even better without being too cartoonish. Fleischer's direction is always accomplished and his style is all over it.
Voice acting is dynamic and of very good quality, Mae Questel is a good fit for Olive Oyl, the voice that most sticks in my mind for the character and who voiced her the best. Jack Mercer is even better than William Costello.
Overall, great Popeye cartoon. 9/10 Bethany Cox
The Wandering Spinach
Hitchcoc12 January 2019
When Popeye and Olive go by a storefront, a Mae West lookalike is offering to teach self defense. Popeye thinks it would be good for Olive to learn a bit. As it turns out, the proprietor has her eyes on Popeye. Olive has no boxing or defense skills and begins to do badly, while Mae comes on the our sailor man. But there is an equalizer that allows Olive Oyl to get back in the game. A very good Popeye episode with a feminist theme.
In Which Popeye Doesn't Eat Spinach
boblipton5 May 2024
Popeye and Olive Oyl go into a sporting goods store, where he tries to teach her self defense with a pair of boxing gloves. While Olive is losing to the stationary equipment, the well-built lady sales clerk vamps Popeye with a Mae West voice until the women get into a fight.
This is one of my favorite Popeye cartoons, for its real message, Jack Mercer's singing the song that seemed to show up in all the Popeye cartoons in Popeye's voice, and the large number of gags as Olive loses to the equipment and to her romantic competition. Plus it's always good to see one of the cartoons in which a fight between Popeye and Bluto is the point.
This is one of my favorite Popeye cartoons, for its real message, Jack Mercer's singing the song that seemed to show up in all the Popeye cartoons in Popeye's voice, and the large number of gags as Olive loses to the equipment and to her romantic competition. Plus it's always good to see one of the cartoons in which a fight between Popeye and Bluto is the point.
"Come on girls, mix it up!" . . .
oscaralbert6 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
. . . "Popeye" gleefully chortles as "Mae Northwest" is beating his long-time companion "Olive" to a pit. If "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," then a round-heeled blonde has no chance versus WD-40 Oyl. Likely a major inspiration for the Wonder Woman comic books, NEVER KICK A WOMAN continues to inspire high-placed American Idols down to this day--especially the so-called POTUS #45, "Don Juan Turnip." For more than a decade, the latter's boss "Mad Vlad" has been treating Russian females as if they were so many Bobo Dolls. Protections for the erstwhile "Fair Sex" have been stomped out in that renegade failed nation-state. It's as if an entire region's Constitution has been rewritten to dovetail with NEVER KICK A WOMAN. I remember reading a REAL news article about how Mad Vlad's goons deal with female POW's. This Crime against Humanity involved disrobing, chains, and a couple of Jeeps accelerating in opposite directions at maximum power. Not even a can of spinach could have saved Wonder Woman from such a predicament!
The love triangle reversed.
llltdesq14 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This is a short in the Popeye series produced by Fleischer studios. There will be spoilers ahead:
Olive Oyl is a figure of sympathy here. There exists in the Popeye universe an eternal triangle-Popeye, Olive Oyl and Bluto, with Popeye and Bluto typically fighting over Olive. There's a triangle here, but this time, Popeye is the fickle one, the object of another woman's interest and Olive is the one becoming increasingly infuriated by the escalation in the infatuation of Popeye with a blonde fitness instructress, similar to Mae West in type.
Popeye cajoles and prods Olive into taking boxing lessons, in order to learn self defense. He none too gently gets her gloved and hitting a bag, which she does rather poorly at first. The Mae West-type finds her amusing and finds Popeye appealing, which Popeye clearly appreciates far too much for Olive's liking.
Olive does a slow burn as her rival starts making time with Popeye, to his obvious glee. The verbal asides made by both Jack Mercer and Mae Questal are a large part of the fun here. Olive finally loses her temper, to the detriment of the bag, finally deciding to re-exert her prerogatives to Popeye. Olive gets in a few good shots by luck, but starts getting pummeled, with one sequence of punches changing her hairstyles.
Olive goes down and then crawls over to Popeye, grabs his can of spinach and eats it, with predictable results. She arches her back and spits like a cat before launching herself at her rival and dispatching her before turning to Popeye and "explaining" things to him rather pointedly.
This short is available on the first Popeye the Sailor DVD set and is well worth watching. Most recommended.
Olive Oyl is a figure of sympathy here. There exists in the Popeye universe an eternal triangle-Popeye, Olive Oyl and Bluto, with Popeye and Bluto typically fighting over Olive. There's a triangle here, but this time, Popeye is the fickle one, the object of another woman's interest and Olive is the one becoming increasingly infuriated by the escalation in the infatuation of Popeye with a blonde fitness instructress, similar to Mae West in type.
Popeye cajoles and prods Olive into taking boxing lessons, in order to learn self defense. He none too gently gets her gloved and hitting a bag, which she does rather poorly at first. The Mae West-type finds her amusing and finds Popeye appealing, which Popeye clearly appreciates far too much for Olive's liking.
Olive does a slow burn as her rival starts making time with Popeye, to his obvious glee. The verbal asides made by both Jack Mercer and Mae Questal are a large part of the fun here. Olive finally loses her temper, to the detriment of the bag, finally deciding to re-exert her prerogatives to Popeye. Olive gets in a few good shots by luck, but starts getting pummeled, with one sequence of punches changing her hairstyles.
Olive goes down and then crawls over to Popeye, grabs his can of spinach and eats it, with predictable results. She arches her back and spits like a cat before launching herself at her rival and dispatching her before turning to Popeye and "explaining" things to him rather pointedly.
This short is available on the first Popeye the Sailor DVD set and is well worth watching. Most recommended.
Don't Flirt with Popeye
Michael_Elliott1 April 2016
Never Kick A Woman (1936)
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Popeye and Olive Oyl walk past a female gym and decide to go in there so that the sailor can give his woman a few tips. Once inside the female worker, a Mae West homage, begins to flirt with Popeye, which is a no no to Olive.
NEVER KICK A WOMAN has a rather catchy title and even starts off with a joke about the "weaker sex" that probably won't go over too well today. With that said, this here is certainly a very fast short that manages to have some great laughs as well as the non-stop action that you've come to expect from the series. Of course, the genders are reversed here because it's Olive who gets to have all the fun with the flirting woman. There are certainly a great number of laughs that work here and the ending is priceless as even Popeye gets a few lessons.
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Popeye and Olive Oyl walk past a female gym and decide to go in there so that the sailor can give his woman a few tips. Once inside the female worker, a Mae West homage, begins to flirt with Popeye, which is a no no to Olive.
NEVER KICK A WOMAN has a rather catchy title and even starts off with a joke about the "weaker sex" that probably won't go over too well today. With that said, this here is certainly a very fast short that manages to have some great laughs as well as the non-stop action that you've come to expect from the series. Of course, the genders are reversed here because it's Olive who gets to have all the fun with the flirting woman. There are certainly a great number of laughs that work here and the ending is priceless as even Popeye gets a few lessons.
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