Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons.
Also have much admiration for Tex Avery, an animation genius whose best cartoons are animated masterpieces and some of the best he ever did. 'The Cuckoo Clock' is not one of his best, it's not one of his most innovative and for Avery it's somewhat tame, lacking the unique wild wackiness and surrealism of his best work. 'The Cuckoo Clock' is still a very good cartoon though. Even when he wasn't at his best, he still delivered, have yet to see a "bad" effort from him.
The cuckoo is fun, deliciously bizarre and cute but the funnier and more interesting character is the cat. The chemistry between them is very enjoyable and the narrator is amusing. Daws Butler's voice work is marvellous as can be expected.
Avery, even on comparatively relatively subdued form, does more than solidly with the directing, with a good deal of colourful animation, humour and atmosphere.
Even if not exactly creative or hilarious, 'The Cuckoo Clock' is nonetheless charming, atmosphere and with some humorous moments. The whole cartoon is very well paced.
It is no surprise either that the animation is superb, being rich in colour and detail. The character designs are unique, Avery always did have creative character designs, and suitably fluid. The music, courtesy of Scott Bradley, is lushly and cleverly orchestrated, with lively and energetic rhythms and fits very well indeed.
On the whole, not one of Avery's best but still very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox