Ski for Two

Was very fond of Woody Woodpecker and his cartoons as a child. Still get much enjoyment out of them now as a young adult, even if there are more interesting in personality cartoon characters and better overall cartoons.

That is in no way knocking Woody, because many of his cartoons are a lot of fun to watch and more and also still like him a lot as a character. 'Ski for Two' still holds up as one of the best Woody Woodpecker/Wally Walrus cartoons and also one of my favourite Woody Woodpecker cartoons full stop. Will admit too that 'Ski for Two' was also the Woody Woodpecker cartoon that gave me the most vivid memories, especially Woody's skiing scene and his song.

While there may be cartoon characters with slightly more interesting personalities, Woody is still at his best incredibly funny, never obnoxious and very lovable self, summing him up in one word it would be wonderfully nuts. His increasingly manic energy is a delight to see and it is a delight to see him make a pest of himself (where he most excels as a character), admit it in the impulsive/repulsive exchange (the best lines of 'Ski for Two') and in this cartoon get a deserved comeuppance. Wally is a great foil for him, one of his best, funniest and most interesting to date and ever.

As ever, the animation is great. Woody's character design and physicality have changed/evolved for the better. Even more impressive are the rich and vibrant colours, the meticulously detailed backgrounds and the quite smooth drawing. It is also particularly striking in the beautifully animated and quite brilliant all round scene where Woody skis down the mountain, the highlight of 'Ski for Two' along with the ending.

Can't praise the music enough either, characterful energy, dynamic, action enhancing and lushly orchestrated. One cannot talk of 'Ski for Two' without mentioning Woody's Russian-style song in the skiing down the mountain scene, it is incredibly catchy and very difficult to get out of your head. One of my most vivid cartoon memories for very good reason.

The writing is suitably witty and raises a number of chuckles, while the gags are flawlessly timed and very funny.

Voice acting is solid.

Overall, one of Woody/Wally's best collaborations together and one of Woody's best overall. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Woody's looking for a vacation and the brochure advertising "Winter Sports at Swiss Chard Lodge in Sunstroke Valley, Idaho," looks good to him.

I like to hear Hans Conreid do his Norwegian accent with the walrus character, "Wally Walrus."

I also liked how the train got rid of all the snow on it; the corny sign at the lodge; Woody's Russian song and his honesty when asked "Aren't you a little impulsive?"

"No," replies, "I am REpulsive."

He got that right.

Of the various characters Woody has run-ins with, Wally Walrus is probably the best foil for him, as the funniest situations arise when Woody makes a pest of himself for whatever reason and Wally is the perfect character for such antics. The personality lends itself well to a good slow burn. One of the better shorts with Wally and fairly typical. Well worth hunting up to watch. Recommended.