Winning the West

Mighty Mouse was, in terms of how many years the series ran and the number of cartoons, Terrytoons' most prolific character. Actually found his series generally a mixed bag and how he fared as a character depended on the material, he was a somewhat limited character and his cartoons followed a formula that could get repetitive but there was a likeability and charm to him when he was used well. Do prefer (most of) the Gandy/Sourpuss and Heckle and Jeckle theatrical series though, don't know how that opinion is going to go down though.

1946 was one of the busiest years of his earlier output, and it was also not exempt from being a very variable year for him. For me, 1946 was one of his most variable. When the series was good, it was really quite good if falling of being great, something that was true for all his best efforts up to this point of the series. When it was not so good, with especially 'My Old Kentucky Home', it was mediocre at best and even weak, again true of his worst efforts and some of his worst were from the early years of the series. 'Winning the West' is one of the quite good cartoons.

Oddly enough, 'Winning the West' to me was actually at its weakest when Mighty Mouse appeared. He was not really a lead here but more a supporting character, and a pretty one-dimensional one in doing what he usually does in the series (not much new here). 'Winning the West' was very interesting and entertaining up to when he appeared.

When he did it became typical Mighty Mouse formula, like a different cartoon, and didn't feel as fresh or engaging when it was nothing new from what we've seen before despite some nice amusing moments. The ending felt predictable and rushed, again easily foreseeable as there is seldom any surprise how a Mighty Mouse cartoon ends.

A shame because, despite being essentially set up in terms of purpose, 'Winning the West' was good in my view. Best asset as ever is the music, which is its usual lush and characterful self. Also excelling in enhancing everything going on between the cats and mice. The animation is equally great in quality, especially the backgrounds and landscapes, though the colours are also very attractive and never drab or garish. Did like the other characters and spotting the calvary heroes was a lot of fun and quite affectionate, familiarity with them may need to be in order but even that doesn't stop them from being fun additions.

Nothing is completely hilarious, there are more than enough gags to satisfy and they are amusing and timed without flagging. It has a good deal of energy and didn't find myself bored or annoyed by any of it. The conflict has tension, with the adversaries being both amusing and formidable. The opening sets things up for what's to come very intriguingly.

Summing up, for 1946 and even early Mighty Mouse this was well done. 7/10