In my opinion, the Heckle and Jeckle theatrical series is generally the best of Terrytoons Studios' regular character theatrical series (do like some cartoons from that of Gandy/Sourpuss too, personally find Mighty Mouse hit and miss). Which generally were interesting watches, if more the earlier ones than the later ones. It does help too that Heckle and Jeckle themselves are compelling lead characters in the way that some of the studio's other recurring characters weren't and their personalities were already very well established at this point.
1950's 'A Merry Chase' is towards being one of their best and another example of the earlier Heckle and Jeckle cartoons being consistently good, the best of them very good. 'A Merry Chase' is one of the best and funniest ones and one of the best 1950 Terrytoons cartoons. It does deserve to be better known, as does the whole series (although not all their later outings were great they were still better than most of the other Terrytoons theatrical series at their worst).
'A Merry Chase's' story admittedly is near-non existent and has very little originality.
For what it lacks in those things though, it is more than made up for in the gags, the characters and the energy as well as the animation and music. The music, a consistent good thing, is so lovely to listen to and there is such an uplifting vibe hearing it because of the snappy character it has. The animation, in what is to me one of the best and most ambitious looking Heckle and Jeckle cartoons, is every bit as great. It is vibrantly coloured, quite smooth in drawing and transitions, doesn't look static or simplistic and the attention to detail is good.
Moreover, 'A Merry Chase's' gag count is one of the highest of the series and the good thing is that the quality of the gags make for it being one of the funniest as well. All are amusing and at their best hilarious, often as well darkly anarchic without being sadistic. The dialogue avoids being corny and Heckle and Jeckle are wonderfully malicious with strong personalities. The bulldog looks menacing but turns out to be the rootable one. The character interaction is seen it all before but still very entertaining.
In conclusion, very well done. 8/10.
1950's 'A Merry Chase' is towards being one of their best and another example of the earlier Heckle and Jeckle cartoons being consistently good, the best of them very good. 'A Merry Chase' is one of the best and funniest ones and one of the best 1950 Terrytoons cartoons. It does deserve to be better known, as does the whole series (although not all their later outings were great they were still better than most of the other Terrytoons theatrical series at their worst).
'A Merry Chase's' story admittedly is near-non existent and has very little originality.
For what it lacks in those things though, it is more than made up for in the gags, the characters and the energy as well as the animation and music. The music, a consistent good thing, is so lovely to listen to and there is such an uplifting vibe hearing it because of the snappy character it has. The animation, in what is to me one of the best and most ambitious looking Heckle and Jeckle cartoons, is every bit as great. It is vibrantly coloured, quite smooth in drawing and transitions, doesn't look static or simplistic and the attention to detail is good.
Moreover, 'A Merry Chase's' gag count is one of the highest of the series and the good thing is that the quality of the gags make for it being one of the funniest as well. All are amusing and at their best hilarious, often as well darkly anarchic without being sadistic. The dialogue avoids being corny and Heckle and Jeckle are wonderfully malicious with strong personalities. The bulldog looks menacing but turns out to be the rootable one. The character interaction is seen it all before but still very entertaining.
In conclusion, very well done. 8/10.
