Although a fanatic of animation, having been so for a long time (since seeing Disney's 'Cinderella' at 2 or 3 years old), will admit to not being much of a fan of the teaming of Ben Hardaway/Cal Dalton and their cartoons, while certainly not being an all-out detractor. Find Hardaway and Dalton's work competently made enough but somewhat bland, though of course there are exceptions.
Of which 'A-Lad in Baghdad', one of two Egghead cartoons made by the duo ('Count Me Out' from the same year being the other), is one of those exceptions. Not a masterpiece or an animation classic, but definitely worth a watch at least once and neither is it an abomination. It is certainly more than competently made and as far as their cartoons go it is one of their least bland.
The story is nothing special and is pretty predictable, while still though doing enough new with an oft-adapted story. The cartoon is amusing enough, but there is not what one would call hilarious.
Some of the humour can be very corny and the heroine is a touch too cute.
However, the animation ranges from good to excellent. It's fluid in movement, vibrant in colour and very meticulous in detail. Most of the pace is lively and the content is charming, amusing and well-timed if with not always imaginative. Carl Stalling's music is typically superb. It is as always lushly orchestrated, full of lively energy and characterful in rhythm, not only adding to the action but also enhancing it.
Characters, even if "melodramatic archetypes, are entertaining and their personalities work well individually and together, Egghead is pretty humorous here. The The voice acting is solid, notably from the ever legendary Mel Blanc, as ever bringing individuality to multiple characters without being taxed, and Cliff Nazarro makes Egghead his own.
Overall, pretty decent cartoon. 7/10
Of which 'A-Lad in Baghdad', one of two Egghead cartoons made by the duo ('Count Me Out' from the same year being the other), is one of those exceptions. Not a masterpiece or an animation classic, but definitely worth a watch at least once and neither is it an abomination. It is certainly more than competently made and as far as their cartoons go it is one of their least bland.
The story is nothing special and is pretty predictable, while still though doing enough new with an oft-adapted story. The cartoon is amusing enough, but there is not what one would call hilarious.
Some of the humour can be very corny and the heroine is a touch too cute.
However, the animation ranges from good to excellent. It's fluid in movement, vibrant in colour and very meticulous in detail. Most of the pace is lively and the content is charming, amusing and well-timed if with not always imaginative. Carl Stalling's music is typically superb. It is as always lushly orchestrated, full of lively energy and characterful in rhythm, not only adding to the action but also enhancing it.
Characters, even if "melodramatic archetypes, are entertaining and their personalities work well individually and together, Egghead is pretty humorous here. The The voice acting is solid, notably from the ever legendary Mel Blanc, as ever bringing individuality to multiple characters without being taxed, and Cliff Nazarro makes Egghead his own.
Overall, pretty decent cartoon. 7/10
