Popeye - Popeye Follies - 1960s

Original Yugoslav theatrical cinema poster for POPAJEVE LUDORIJE (Popeye Follies),
a classic animated cartoon compilation featuring Popeye the Sailor, Bluto, Olive Oyl, and supporting characters from the legendary Fleischer / Famous Studios cartoons.

This is the original Yugoslav cinema issue, produced specifically for theatrical exhibition in Yugoslavia and distributed by INEX-FILM, with production credit to Paramount Pictures.
Yugoslav posters for American animated cartoon compilations from this period were printed in very limited quantities and are significantly scarcer than U.S. or Western European equivalents, which were often simpler and less visually aggressive.

Artwork & Design

The poster features a bold, hand-drawn illustrated composition dominated by Popeye in a classic slapstick action pose, delivering exaggerated cartoon violence directly in the spirit of the original shorts.
Bluto, Olive Oyl, and secondary characters are rendered with expressive movement, humor, and visual energy rarely seen on U.S. Popeye posters of the same era.

The vivid color palette—intense blue, red, and green—combined with thick outlines and dynamic motion lines is characteristic of 1960s Yugoslav cartoon poster art, which often emphasized action, chaos, and humor far more than American studio-issued designs.

Notably, Yugoslav cartoon posters from this era are considerably more faithful to the tone of the original animations, embracing slapstick violence and visual absurdity rather than softening them for younger audiences.

Film & Cultural Significance

Popeye the Sailor was created by Elzie Crisler Segar, with the animated series developed by Fleischer Studios and later Famous Studios, beginning in 1933.
Between 1940 and 1957, a total of 114 classic theatrical shorts were produced, seven of which won Academy Awards, tying Walt Disney’s Silly Symphonies for the most Oscar wins in the category.

In Yugoslavia, Popeye cartoons were frequently shown as theatrical compilations, often under localized titles such as Popajeve Ludorije.
Due to incomplete archival documentation, it is not known whether this poster advertised a fixed program of shorts or served as a generic cinema poster, allowing theaters to select individual cartoons—a common practice at the time.

Dating & Origin

Country: Yugoslavia
Estimated date: circa mid–late 1960s (c. 1965–1970)

Dating is based on:

The INEX-FILM distributor logo

Paramount Pictures production credit

Printing technique and visible raster pattern

Paper stock and graphic style consistent with 1960s Yugoslav cinema posters

INEX-FILM was primarily active as a distributor during the mid-to-late 1960s, making this dating reliable and widely accepted among collectors.

Format

Original theatrical cinema poster

Approx. 70 × 50 cm (27.5 × 19.5 in)

Printed for cinema display only

Never commercially sold, contributing to its scarcity today

Condition

Very good vintage condition for its age.
Original fold lines from cinema distribution are present.
Strong colors, clean image area, no major tears or losses.
Minor handling and age-related signs consistent with authentic theatrical use.

(Please review photos carefully for exact condition.)

Collector’s Importance

Original Yugoslav posters for classic American animated cartoons are highly sought after due to their:

Limited print runs

Distinctive hand-drawn artwork

Faithful and often more daring visual interpretations

This example is particularly desirable for collectors of:

Popeye / Fleischer Studios memorabilia

Classic theatrical animation

Yugoslav & Eastern European movie posters

Hand-painted international poster art

Golden Age cartoon history

Authentic Yugoslav issues from this period are now firmly recognized as standalone collector pieces, not secondary alternatives to U.S. posters.