Popeye’s Turn to Grace the Spotlight

Everybody’s favorite buff sailorman, Popeye, first appeared in the 1929 comics Thimble Theatre. A few years later, Paramount Pictures released a series that became one of the most-watched in the ’30s. As such, it didn’t come as a surprise that the cartoon character graced Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for several years.

It was said to have debuted in the parade in 1957, although it suffered a mishap. Apparently, it rained that day, and Popeye’s hat got filled with water, which caused the balloon to lean forward. This was followed by other appearances in the ’60s.