In the late 1950s, the original Popeye the Sailor theatrical shorts released by Paramount Pictures from 1933 to 1957 began airing in many television markets and garnered huge ratings.

The artwork was streamlined, simplified for television budgets, and the entries were completed at a breakneck pace; 220 made-for-television cartoons were produced in two years.

Though World War II had ended 15 years earlier, Popeye still retained his white US Navy uniform as had been the case for post-war theatrical shorts.

Olive Oyl's appearance was a hybrid of different incarnations; while her outfit reverted to the Fleischer years of a red turtleneck, long black skirt and huge shoes, her hair retained the mid/late 1940s and 1950s makeover initiated by Famous Studios.

At the time, King Features mistakenly believed that Paramount owned the rights to the name "Bluto", but the character had been originally created for the comic strip.

Many entries lifted storylines directly from the comic strip, resulting in the inclusion of many characters not seen in the theatrical releases, including the Sea Hag, Toar, Rough House, and King Blozo.

Note: In this production, the animation team was composed by: Izzy Ellis, Sam Kai, Casey Onaitis, Ray Young, Bill Higgins, Barney Posner, John Garling, and Bud Partch.

The shorts included "Spinach Greetings" (a classic Christmas episode), "Popeye in the Grand Steeple Chase", "Valley of the Goons", and "William Won't Tell".