Was very fond of Woody Woodpecker and his cartoons as a child. Still get much enjoyment out of them now as a young adult, even if there are more interesting in personality cartoon characters and better overall cartoons.
That is in no way knocking Woody, because many of his cartoons are a lot of fun to watch and more and also still like him a lot as a character. Here in 'Tomcat Combat' he is not as toned down as he tended to be in his later cartoons and around this period and is a manic pest and very funny while never obnoxious. The tomcat is entertaining and serves as a good partner and contrast for Woody, which makes the combat between them very convincing.
'Tomcat Combat's' final gag is a slightly strange one and doesn't quite least. Like all of the Woody Woodpecker cartoons around this period, the animation is the weak link. Time and budget constraints shows in some of the animation, which is a little rushed looking in the drawing and detail wise it's on the simplistic and careless side like many of Woody's cartoons from this period continuing through to the 60s. Some of the action is very predictable and typical Woody Woodpecker.
On the other hand, the music however is bouncy, energetic and very lushly orchestrated, not only synchronising and fitting with the action very well but enhancing it. The whole cartoon goes at a lively pace, especially in the second half.
Most of the gags, while never hilarious, are amusing and timed well. All the gags have their share of funny moments. Despite being a somewhat typical premise and the outwitting not that surprising, there is enough variety to stop the action from being too repetitive.
Voice acting is solid. With Grace Stafford continuing to prove why she was the best voice actor for the character and the one that understood him the most.
In summation, a lot of fun and one of the better late 50s Woody Woodpecker cartoons. 8/10 Bethany Cox
That is in no way knocking Woody, because many of his cartoons are a lot of fun to watch and more and also still like him a lot as a character. Here in 'Tomcat Combat' he is not as toned down as he tended to be in his later cartoons and around this period and is a manic pest and very funny while never obnoxious. The tomcat is entertaining and serves as a good partner and contrast for Woody, which makes the combat between them very convincing.
'Tomcat Combat's' final gag is a slightly strange one and doesn't quite least. Like all of the Woody Woodpecker cartoons around this period, the animation is the weak link. Time and budget constraints shows in some of the animation, which is a little rushed looking in the drawing and detail wise it's on the simplistic and careless side like many of Woody's cartoons from this period continuing through to the 60s. Some of the action is very predictable and typical Woody Woodpecker.
On the other hand, the music however is bouncy, energetic and very lushly orchestrated, not only synchronising and fitting with the action very well but enhancing it. The whole cartoon goes at a lively pace, especially in the second half.
Most of the gags, while never hilarious, are amusing and timed well. All the gags have their share of funny moments. Despite being a somewhat typical premise and the outwitting not that surprising, there is enough variety to stop the action from being too repetitive.
Voice acting is solid. With Grace Stafford continuing to prove why she was the best voice actor for the character and the one that understood him the most.
In summation, a lot of fun and one of the better late 50s Woody Woodpecker cartoons. 8/10 Bethany Cox
