The Terrytoons are oddly interesting, mainly for anybody wanting to see (generally) older cartoons made by lesser known and lower-budget studios. They are a mixed bag in quality, with some better than others, often with outstanding music and with some mild amusement and charm and variable in animation, characterisation and content.
1937, like all the other years for Terrytoons, saw a hit and miss batch, more so than the other years even. Of which 'A Close Shave' is one of the better ones ranking it in correlation with the rest of the Terrytoons and one of the best 1937 cartoons. There are flaws but also a lot of strengths, and a few things done better than what was seen before. 'A Close Shave' is well worth watching as an above average watch with more to it than completest sake.
Best asset is the music, which predictably is incredible. It is so beautifully and cleverly orchestrated and arranged, is great fun to listen to and full of lively energy, doing so well with enhancing the action. The ambitious, elaborate detail in the backgrounds is still great to see and some synchronisation is neat. Again this was an example of more fluidity in the drawing than in previous years which was also great.
A fair share of amusing moments, with more gags than there can be usually found, and there is a lot of zest and bags of natural charm. Also a suitably strange and something inventive quality that was fun and endearing to watch. Farmer Al Falfa as usual is amusing to watch and his adversary is a colourful personality, which makes their conflict a lot of fun.
Having said that, a few of the transitions are a touch crude however.
Likewise, the story is thin and formulaic, even with more structure than usual, with not much new. A few of the gags are stale and with a sense that there was room for even more absurdity and imagination.
All in all, pretty good. 7/10 Bethany Cox