Popeye Pioneers: Tom Golden

The spinning star Popeye animator

• Golden joined Fleischer Studios in 1935 and started working on “Popeye the Sailor Meets Sindbad the Sailor” (de-facto dir. Willard Bowsky) as an inbetweener.

• His first credit came four years later in 1940’s “Puttin’ on the Act” (de-facto dir. Dave Tendlar.)

(Puttin’ on the Act, de-facto dir. Dave Tendlar)

(Seein’ Red White ‘N’ Blue, de-facto dir. James Tyer)

(Wood-Peckin’, de-facto dir. Nick Tafuri)

• Golden stopped by many of the Famous Studios units to contribute scenes.

• He even received control of his own unit in the 1950s.

• His most famous scene is Popeye emerging from the spinning star in the Famous Studios openings from 1943 to 1957 (which also introduced the King Features series.)

• Golden was arguably the most angular Popeye animator back in the classic films.

• To spot Golden’s work, look for ample usage of 3/4 profiles, sharp angles, a pronounced, almost pointed jaw on Popeye, dry brush trails, and snappy action.

(Spinning Star Intro)

(Floor Flusher, de-facto dir. Tom Golden)

(Greek Mirthology, de-facto dir. Tom Golden)

Up next: Morey Reden, one of the Disney-trained Popeye animators