Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons.
Have more often than not had a lot of respect and appreciation for Bob Clampett, and while not quite one of my favourite Looney Tunes characters (prefer those with consistently stronger, funnier and interesting personalities) Porky has always been very easy to like. 'The Chewin Bruin' is another example of it representing both well.
Clampett's distinctive style, even if not as outrageous or anarchic as other cartoons of his, is very obvious here. Porky is endearing as ever very effectively plays it straight, is used well and is actually treated like a lead, after having cartoons where he feels more like underutilised support. Even funnier and more interesting, and just as likeable, is the bear and he is a very amusing storyteller.
Mel Blanc is outstanding as always. He always was the infinitely more preferable voice for Porky, Joe Dougherty never clicked with me, and he proves it here. Blanc shows an unequalled versatility and ability to bring an individual personality to every one of his multiple characters in a vast majority of his work, there is no wonder why he was in such high demand as a voice actor.
Animation is excellent, it's fluid in movement, crisp in shading and very meticulous in detail. Ever the master, 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.
'The Chewin Bruin' is very well paced, very funny and well-engineered. It may not be laugh a minute or consistently hilarious and the story is not much of one, but actually there is very little wrong here. Clampett and Porky may not be at their best but they are both represented well.
Overall, well made and enjoyable. 8/10 Bethany Cox
