In my comments about the Woody Woodpecker cartoon THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, released the same year as this one, I commented on the redesigned Woody. What I did not mention at the time -- and which was brought forcibly to my attention by viewing earlier WW shorts and these two on the newly released WOODY WOODPECKER AND FRIENDS DVD -- highly recommended -- is that veteran cartoon director Seamus Culhane took advantage of the redesigned Woody to produce visually more sophisticated cartoons, beautiful work that is a pleasure to look at as well as funny. All is not simple energy and violence, driven simply by the plot requirements that Woody must do something violent and funny to his foe, which opponent is never completely motivated. Here, instead, he is opposed by Wally the Walrus -- with a Swedish accent voiced by the delightful Hans Conried -- who wants a pleasant, simple afternoon at the beach.
In short, this is a wonderful cartoon, well directed, well written, well drawn and highly recommended for your attention. See it on the DVD if you must, but if you can find a theater that shows in in real Technicolor on a screen -- well, that would be cartoon heaven, wouldn't it?
In short, this is a wonderful cartoon, well directed, well written, well drawn and highly recommended for your attention. See it on the DVD if you must, but if you can find a theater that shows in in real Technicolor on a screen -- well, that would be cartoon heaven, wouldn't it?