I’m putting Wednesday’s post up a little early.

How can you go wrong with a script by Jules Feiffer, direction by Robert Altman, and (most importantly) songs by super undoubtedly 100% genius Harry (I love you!) Nilsson?

Well, a lot of people would say you could go wrong by having them do a Popeye movie. However, Popeye has always had its admirers, primarily of Nilsson’s remarkable songs and of Shelly Duvall’s performance of a lifetime as Olive Oyl. The set design was another thing of wonder (and you can still visit it). I’m a fan of the whole dang picture myself, but I understand if it’s not your thing.

I read a comment on some blog that called the movie “the high point of the career of everyone in it,” and I would pretty much agree, except for that Harry Nilsson had so many other high points.

You could practically pick a Popeye song at random and find a great one, but I’m going with “He’s Large,” in which Olive Oyl attempts to explain why she’s dating Bluto, a big, ugly, mean jerk.

Shelley Duvall - He’s Large from the Popeye soundtack (never out on CD to my knowledge, but you can find vinyl rips in the usual sorts of places, like say via a torrent or at the too-wonderful-for-words Nilsson blog For The Love Of Harry)

I’d embed the movie clip of “Everything Is Food” here, but the (non-) owner does not allow embedding. So go here instead and enjoy.