Onion Pacific (1940)

In the pulsating heart of the race for the state railroad franchise, two titans clash - the Sudden Pacific helmed by the formidable Bluto, and the Onion Pacific under the command of the tenacious Popeye. The stakes are high, with not only the franchise on the line but also a tender kiss from the enchanting Olive reserved for the victor. The race commences under a cloud of sabotage as Bluto hampers Popeye's jumpstart by hurling a heap of coal into his chimney, clouding the air with thick, dark smoke. Fate, however, tosses Olive into Bluto's train, ignited by the force of the starting gunshot. Bluto, seizing the opportunity, puts Olive to work shoveling coal, but she deftly jumps ship to Popeye's train at the earliest chance. The competition escalates as Bluto breaches Popeye's boiler, instigating a whirlwind of panic. The tension reaches a fever pitch as the parallel tracks converge on a narrow bridge, each train precariously balancing on a single rail and the captains clutching onto each other for dear life. Bluto, in a desperate move, snatches Popeye's driveshaft, forcing Popeye to ingeniously substitute himself. However, Bluto has one last trick up his sleeve, flipping a switch that sends Popeye's train hurtling towards disaster. But it's not over yet. Popeye, with his secret weapon - a can of spinach - and a dash of quick-witted engineering, gives the thrilling race a final, surprising twist.

Onion Pacific is an animation movie featuring Jack Mercer and directed by Dave Fleischer.

Onion Pacific is currently streaming on TCM.