The Chipper Chipmunk

After the early/mid-40s (up to 1946) years for Terrytoons were heavy in those from the Gandy Goose and Sourpuss Cat series, 1948 sees them in their sole cartoon for that year 'The Chipper Chipmunk'. Despite the quality of their cartoons being inconsistent (especially the dream sequence ones), they are actually not bad characters most of the time (have always liked Sourpuss, Gandy evolved significantly overtime) and their chemistry was fun to watch. Actually do prefer them over Mighty Mouse, with their best cartoons being some of the best work Terrytoons ever did.

'The Chipper Chipmunk' was a long way from perfect, with one of the flaws actually being quite uncharacteristic for the Gandy and Sourpuss series, but it is quite enjoyable and in the better end of Terrytoons' 1948 cartoons. While not one of the very best of the duo's cartoons, it's one of their better ones in some time, possibly the best since one of the studio's best 1945's 'The Exterminator'. Not an essential but definitely worth tracking down.

Like a vast majority of Terrytoons' output, and something that has always been the case throughout the Gandy and Sourpuss series, the story is pretty thin and contains very few surprises (other than the chipmunk not being the sort of character one expects). The cartoon could have had a tighter pace at the beginning and actually thought that the mentioned unpleasant move the chipmunk makes was on the jarring side tonally and a little too cruel.

What did disappoint me a bit was that some of the animation is not up to its usual standard. Most of it is good, but usually in the series it's one of the saving graces. Here the character designs don't always have finesse and the characters are at times oddly proportioned, especially Sourpuss at his most strange-looking.

On the other hand, 'The Chipper Chipmunk' has a lot to like. The best component once again is the music, a consistent strength in the Terrytoons cartoons. 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. While there are better animated Gandy and Sourpuss cartoons, with smoother drawing, the background art is beautifully detailed and the colour vibrant.

Despite the slightness and predictability, the story has enough energy and charm once it gets going. The cartoon works well dialogue-less, the gags are many and they are well timed and funny. The running joke actually not being repetitive or tiring and the anarchy becomes increasingly more manic and absurd in a fun and not sadistic way. Neither Gandy or Sourpuss are bland or annoying characters and they are rootable at the end, and they meet their match and some in the chipmunk. One with a cute exterior but with a big personality.

In summary, nicely done. 7/10.

Gandy Goose and Sour Puss play Laurel & Hardy, including a portly silhouette and fastidious hand movements for the cat. They go on a picnic, where they are afflicted with a chipmunk, the bete noir of the post-war cartoons. Maybe they were becoming familiar to people in the growing suburbs.

Mannie Davis has directed this as a silent comedy, without a word of dialogue. Although very inconsistent, the Gandy Goose series was among the best that Terry did, mostly because there was a lot of experimentation. You never knew quite what you would get and that surprise kept it fresh and funny.

I do have some issue with the art. The characters have a two-dimensional look to them. However the story and gags are very good.