Daily post 07 Aug 2007 07:40 am
More Popeye
– After posting a piece last week about the Popeye statue in Chester, Ill., I received a letter from Mike Brooks. I found it interesting enough that I’m going to post it here with some images from goodies for sale at his store.
This is Mike Brooks in Chester, IL. I am the founder of the Official Popeye Fanclub (1989) – and editor of the club’s quarterly news-mag that we havebeen publishing for more than 18 years. I also write a local weekly newspaper column called, ‘Popeye 101′ – and have for more than a dozen years. ’101′ is published on the same newspaper 
page as our good friend, Hy Eisman’s ‘Popeye’ comic strip.
In 1994, my wife and I gave-up good jobs – moved to Chester, IL – bought Bill Schuchert’s ‘Opera House’ and sat-up the only Popeye shop and museum in the world (Spinach Can Collectibles). We have had visitors from all 50 states and more than 60 countries since we opened – and more than 5000 items to display. Besides E.C Segar being from Chester, Schuchert was the model for ‘Wimpy’ and acted as Segar’s boss at the Opera House. Dora Paskel – who ran a local general store – was the model for ‘Olive’. Frank Fiegel – a local custodian – was the model for ‘Popeye’.
The “Popeye’ statue turned 30 years old a few weeks ago. Sculptor – Robert Walker – now 85 – made a return and was the main speaker at a special event held in Segar Memorial Park. I was also honored to be asked to speak at this event.
‘Wimpy’ got his own granite statue last year next to our building. There will be an ‘Olive/Swee’pea/Jeep’ statue unveiled in just a few weeks at ‘Popeye Picnic’ (28th year). This is scheduled to happen – 8 September. Actor Paul Dooley who played ‘Wimpy’ in the 1980 Robert Altman film is also supposed to be here. He missed the dedication last year, but has promised a return. By the way – this is only the beginning for statues. ‘Bluto’ will be unveiled next year. An entire ‘character trail’ is being planned – as long as we have money volunteers.
Popeye may not be as visible as he once was – but I assure you____ Actor – Paul Dooley
he’s alive and well here in Chester.
Please visit our web-pages – shop and club – and the official picnic page. We are what some have called – “one of the world’s best kept secrets” – but the shop and the picnic each draw a big crowd year after year.
You can visit the Mike Brooks’ Popeye shop and buy some of these great items displayed above (for reasonable prices, I might add) by clicking here.
There’s also the site called Popeye’s Poop Deck that you might want to visit for more information about Popeye and his history.
(Click any of the images above to enlarge.)
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- Don Brockway has an interesting new blog well worth checking into.
. The report he did on Raggedy Ann & Andy is first rate and worth reading.
. However I loved the information he’s posted on Disney scores performed by British orchestras. There’re a lot of good arrangements of classsic Disney songs. The Silly Symphony pieces are excellent. A second one on early animation scores is equally good and includes a Popeye medley.
