Like as was said in my recent review for 'The Country Mouse', is always interesting to see any cartoon from Friz Freleng relatively early on in his career. As it is seeing early Looney Tunes characters that are not the iconic more well known characters that we all know and love, with more interesting and fleshed out personalities.
Freleng certainly did much better later than 'The Merry Old Soul', once Looney Tunes/Warner Brothers/Merrie Melodies hit their stride, when the animation became even more refined and imaginative and when the writing became more fresh, funnier and more witty. 'The Merry Old Soul' is a decent cartoon and a little better than the mediocre rating here suggests (from personal opinion that is), but it's not great either being lacking in areas.
'The Merry Old Soul' is barely existent in story and lacks the crispness in the pacing and the later characteristic wit to mask it. It also tries a little too hard in place to be "cute" and is a little too over-reliant on that than providing hilarious moments and fresh wit.
This would also have fared better if the aim to make the kids cute was properly successful. There are parts where they are sweet and adorable, at other times one feels sorry for the title character because they are a little on the bratty side.
However, Old King Cole himself is a likable and jovial character, making him an endearing and merry enough character and his benevolent antics make it easy to relate to him. The cartoon is amusing enough and captures the merriness of the character and the atmosphere of the story quite well. The Woman in the Shoe doesn't have as much to do but is charming. Bernice Hansen is in multiple roles and does a great job.
Animation-wise, 'The Merry Old Soul' looks great, boasting beautiful colours and meticulous detail. The characters are drawn well with smooth movement and it was clear that Freleng's animation style was becoming faster, more inventive, looser and smoother. The music is every bit as good and perhaps even better. It's beautifully and cleverly orchestrated and characterful, adding to every action, expression and gesture and even enhancing them.
In summary, merry enough though made at a time when things were still settling. 6/10 Bethany Cox
Freleng certainly did much better later than 'The Merry Old Soul', once Looney Tunes/Warner Brothers/Merrie Melodies hit their stride, when the animation became even more refined and imaginative and when the writing became more fresh, funnier and more witty. 'The Merry Old Soul' is a decent cartoon and a little better than the mediocre rating here suggests (from personal opinion that is), but it's not great either being lacking in areas.
'The Merry Old Soul' is barely existent in story and lacks the crispness in the pacing and the later characteristic wit to mask it. It also tries a little too hard in place to be "cute" and is a little too over-reliant on that than providing hilarious moments and fresh wit.
This would also have fared better if the aim to make the kids cute was properly successful. There are parts where they are sweet and adorable, at other times one feels sorry for the title character because they are a little on the bratty side.
However, Old King Cole himself is a likable and jovial character, making him an endearing and merry enough character and his benevolent antics make it easy to relate to him. The cartoon is amusing enough and captures the merriness of the character and the atmosphere of the story quite well. The Woman in the Shoe doesn't have as much to do but is charming. Bernice Hansen is in multiple roles and does a great job.
Animation-wise, 'The Merry Old Soul' looks great, boasting beautiful colours and meticulous detail. The characters are drawn well with smooth movement and it was clear that Freleng's animation style was becoming faster, more inventive, looser and smoother. The music is every bit as good and perhaps even better. It's beautifully and cleverly orchestrated and characterful, adding to every action, expression and gesture and even enhancing them.
In summary, merry enough though made at a time when things were still settling. 6/10 Bethany Cox
