After the success of the original Popeye theatrical shorts produced from 1933 to 1957, King Features commissioned a new series of cartoons for television syndication starring Popeye, Olive Oyl and the newly-introduced Brutus (the name "Bluto" erroneusly believed to be unavailable). Though the series was produced using limited animation techniques (whose production values contrasted sharply to their earlier, theatrical counterparts), the series was a huge ratings success.