Pudgy the Pup tries to behave like a big, mean bulldog, but discovers that he's not built that way in this post-Code Betty Boop cartoon.
Although there are few cartoons as good as the Pre-Code Betty Boops, the installation of the Production Code in 1934 wrecked the franchise. Gone were the short skirts, the slipping garter and the air of genial raciness that the Fleischers had built her on. Instead, they tried to extend the franchise by giving her supporting comics: Pudgy, Grampy, Buzzy Boop and, in one cartoon, Henry. Instead, Betty became a supporting character; in this one, she appears only to chide Pudgy with the title song.
The most of interesting aspect of this cartoon is the background art, a gouache affair set on a cyclorama that allowed a real depth and breadth to the cartoon. It's not enough to make this a good cartoon, alas.
Although there are few cartoons as good as the Pre-Code Betty Boops, the installation of the Production Code in 1934 wrecked the franchise. Gone were the short skirts, the slipping garter and the air of genial raciness that the Fleischers had built her on. Instead, they tried to extend the franchise by giving her supporting comics: Pudgy, Grampy, Buzzy Boop and, in one cartoon, Henry. Instead, Betty became a supporting character; in this one, she appears only to chide Pudgy with the title song.
The most of interesting aspect of this cartoon is the background art, a gouache affair set on a cyclorama that allowed a real depth and breadth to the cartoon. It's not enough to make this a good cartoon, alas.