Ub Iwerks's Flip the Frog series of cartoons was short-lived, only lasting from 1930 to 1933. On the most part the Flip the Frog cartoons are not great or cartoon/animated masterpieces and it is sort of understandable as to why Flip didn't make it bigger. However they are far from terrible ones either and do hold some interest.
Despite not being historically significant like 'Fiddlesticks' was, 'Ragtime Romeo' for me is among the best Flip the Frog cartoons alongside up to this point (so in correlation with the previous cartoons) 'The Village Barber', 'Laughing Gas' and particularly 'Cuckoo Murder Case'. It is a good cartoon, it is not perfect but there are things here that improve quite a bit and done much better than many other Flip the Frog cartoons.
A lot of good things in 'Ragtime Romeo'. The animation is decent enough, with beautifully detailed backgrounds, nice shading and characters that aren't drawn too crudely. The music makes even more of an impact, it is lushly and cleverly orchestrated, full of lively energy and not only adds brilliantly to the action it enhances it. It has been said that it is the best thing about 'Ragtime Romeo' and makes it, cannot disagree.
There are more sight gags than the previous Flip the Frog cartoons, and they are surprisingly funny. There is a nice natural charm, a good deal of zest and it does a better job than most Flip the Frog cartoons in not falling into sentimentality or cutesiness, though occasionally there are signs. Really liked the lively support.
Flip's appearance here is one of his most interesting easily, usually he is not a very compelling character. While a bit thin on the ground still, there is agreed a more discernible story and the chemistry between Flip and his love interest charms.
Not much wrong actually. Flip's love interest is a little bland and occasionally the pace drags.
'Ragtime Romeo' contains an undressing scene and for me it didn't quite fit with the rest of the cartoon and didn't serve much of a point.
In summary, good fun and makes love and ragtime fun to watch. 8/10 Bethany Cox