'Rockhounds' (1975)
Opening thoughts: Despite the premise being a good deal more appealing and more gangster-like than those in the previous Dogfather cartoons (even though still very predictable), 'Rockhounds' could have done a lot more with it. It certainly has its moments and is worth a one time watch, but most elements are very average at best and amusement only comes in spurts. Also only one character makes much of an impression here. There are worse Dogfather cartoons than 'Rockhounds', but the series did have a couple of decent cartoons and this is not one of them.
Good things: Rockhounds' does have good things. As said, one character makes an impression and that is Dogfather, he has some amusing lines that did raise a smile. Bob Holt's very Marlon Brando/Peter Falk's Columbo impression voice work adds a good deal. Actually thought the voice acting was fine considering the material.
This is also one of the better looking Dogfather cartoons, not great with a lack of finesse still but the colours are more vibrant than usual and there is more detail in the backgrounds. The climax was amusing enough.
Bad things: However, quite a lot doesn't work. Pug is restricted to merely physical comedy and it is very tired and predictable physical comedy that has been done many times elsewhere (like past prime Looney Tunes and even some of DePatie-Freleng's cartoons. Their foil doesn't have much personality, or at least one that is special, and is obnoxious.
Moreover, the story is nothing to write home about. Very thin and derivative with very little energy, reminiscent of Looney Tunes in the late 50s-early 60s. Which is true of the gags too, which are too few and too much like stale retreads of pre-existing past-prime Looney Tunes gags. The cartoony violence is too tame, while the at times childish comedy by adult standards and complicated mobster terminology that will go over younger viewers' heads doesn't ever gel and made me question the target audience.
Concluding thoughts: Very average overall though there was worse.
5/10.