Famous Studios did agreed do a lot of very good work in the 40s, before tighter time constraints and lower budgets contributed a lot to some of their 50s and most of their 60s output underwhelming (namely the mid-late years). Of the Noveltoons series, some are better than others with the 40s output tending to be in the better half due to higher production values, more care put into all the different components and feeling fresher.
The last of four cartoons to star Blackie and his encounters with the Big Bad Wolf is a very good one and one of the best of the four in my view. It is not a masterpiece in animation and it is not quite one of the best Noveltoons cartoons, but it is lightyears away from being one of the worst. As well as being very well made and scored (both typical for the Noveltoons series so that wasn't a surprise), 'Much Ado About Mutton' is also entertaining and the two lead characters are a delight.
'Much Ado About Mutton' is flimsy narratively and the lambs have very little to do other than being a plot device.
However, the lush and lively music score, that not only doesn't jar but enhances, more than compensates. As does the animation, some of the backgrounds are just gorgeous and the colours practically pop out at you. Despite the flimsiness, that doesn't stop 'Much Ado About Mutton' from never being dull.
It is hardly devoid of humour, and what there is is genuinely funny. The third act is especially well executed, regardless of any predictability there are some genuinely rib-tickling moments and the timing is crisp throughout. The ending is also a highlight. The chemistry between Blackie and the wolf really drives 'Much Ado About Mutton' and has a lot of energy and tension. While Blackie is likeable, the wolf makes even more of an impression in the personality (full of it) and comic timing (often hilarious) stakes. Arnold Stang and particularly Sid Raymond, best known to me as Herman and Katnip, are solid with the voices and did detect a chemistry between them.
Overall, very enjoyable. 8/10
The last of four cartoons to star Blackie and his encounters with the Big Bad Wolf is a very good one and one of the best of the four in my view. It is not a masterpiece in animation and it is not quite one of the best Noveltoons cartoons, but it is lightyears away from being one of the worst. As well as being very well made and scored (both typical for the Noveltoons series so that wasn't a surprise), 'Much Ado About Mutton' is also entertaining and the two lead characters are a delight.
'Much Ado About Mutton' is flimsy narratively and the lambs have very little to do other than being a plot device.
However, the lush and lively music score, that not only doesn't jar but enhances, more than compensates. As does the animation, some of the backgrounds are just gorgeous and the colours practically pop out at you. Despite the flimsiness, that doesn't stop 'Much Ado About Mutton' from never being dull.
It is hardly devoid of humour, and what there is is genuinely funny. The third act is especially well executed, regardless of any predictability there are some genuinely rib-tickling moments and the timing is crisp throughout. The ending is also a highlight. The chemistry between Blackie and the wolf really drives 'Much Ado About Mutton' and has a lot of energy and tension. While Blackie is likeable, the wolf makes even more of an impression in the personality (full of it) and comic timing (often hilarious) stakes. Arnold Stang and particularly Sid Raymond, best known to me as Herman and Katnip, are solid with the voices and did detect a chemistry between them.
Overall, very enjoyable. 8/10