While not a huge fan of the Herman cartoons(though none of them are unwatchable), there are some good ones out there and Naughty and Mice is one of them, also one of Herman's overall best as well.
Admittedly Naughty But Mice is formulaic in terms of story for the cartoon, but its gags and visuals are some of the most original and inventive for a Herman cartoon. The animation didn't really appeal to me in Henpecked Rooster and Scrappily Married and it wasn't the best in Cheese Burglar(which otherwise was one of his better cartoons too) but it is very good here. It's colourful and fluid with lively colours, smooth drawings, the best character designs seen yet in the Herman cartoons at this point and some inventive effects in the gags. Naughty But Mice is also winning in the humour department as well, the best of the material like in the gag with the catnip is just hilarious, again the funniest Herman cartoon at this point and one of his funniest overall.
The music score was the best thing about both Henpecked Rooster and Scrappily Married, which don't really bowl me over as cartoons, and doesn't disappoint here either, always have had a soft spot for the music in the opening credits. It has non-stop energy and adds a lot to the action, it's filled with lively rhythms and the way it's orchestrated is clever and lush. Even after haven't seen the Herman cartoons for some time I still remembered the Ding Dong Bell song. Herman and the cat are a well-matched pair, the cat is dastardly but also a character you mildly feel sorry for in a couple of the gags and this was at a point where Herman was actually funny and likable, being quick-witted and cunning while willing to help those in need. The other mice bring a poignancy without sentimentalising the cartoon too much. Overall, a great and hilarious cartoon and a contender for one of Herman's best. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Admittedly Naughty But Mice is formulaic in terms of story for the cartoon, but its gags and visuals are some of the most original and inventive for a Herman cartoon. The animation didn't really appeal to me in Henpecked Rooster and Scrappily Married and it wasn't the best in Cheese Burglar(which otherwise was one of his better cartoons too) but it is very good here. It's colourful and fluid with lively colours, smooth drawings, the best character designs seen yet in the Herman cartoons at this point and some inventive effects in the gags. Naughty But Mice is also winning in the humour department as well, the best of the material like in the gag with the catnip is just hilarious, again the funniest Herman cartoon at this point and one of his funniest overall.
The music score was the best thing about both Henpecked Rooster and Scrappily Married, which don't really bowl me over as cartoons, and doesn't disappoint here either, always have had a soft spot for the music in the opening credits. It has non-stop energy and adds a lot to the action, it's filled with lively rhythms and the way it's orchestrated is clever and lush. Even after haven't seen the Herman cartoons for some time I still remembered the Ding Dong Bell song. Herman and the cat are a well-matched pair, the cat is dastardly but also a character you mildly feel sorry for in a couple of the gags and this was at a point where Herman was actually funny and likable, being quick-witted and cunning while willing to help those in need. The other mice bring a poignancy without sentimentalising the cartoon too much. Overall, a great and hilarious cartoon and a contender for one of Herman's best. 9/10 Bethany Cox