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. Screwy Squirrel's second cartoon, after 'Screwball Squirrel', 'Happy-Go-Nutty' is just as good. There is not much happy here, but it is nutty, creative and despite its violent nature entertaining. Despite being a compelling, much more anarchic than his sweet appearance and funny character, as well as being charismatic enough to carry his cartoons as a lead character (as he does here), it is somewhat easy to see why Screwy didn't click and didn't last long, being a brash character with few sympathetic qualities. His opponent is a lot of fun.
Tex Avery does a wonderful job directing, with his unique, unlike-any-other visual and humour style all over it once again.
'Happy-Go-Nutty', as with 'Screwball Squirrel', is wonderfully over-the-top, very creative in its violent nature and some of it is hilarious (like the explosive apple, the telephone and the soda), avoiding the potential trap of being too cutesy.
Once again, 'Happy-Go-Nutty' as always with Avery is beautifully animated. 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.
Voice acting is very good. My only real complaint is that the cartoon ends a little too abruptly.
Otherwise, a great cartoon. 9/10 Bethany Cox
