The Captain's Christmas

I have to admit, this is the first, and so far the only, short I've seen featuring the Katzenjammer Kids (or "The Captain and the Kids" as they're called here). I really enjoyed it. The story is simple, the Captain is going to surprise the kids by dressing as Santa Claus, however, the peg-legged villain called John takes his place. There are some very funny visuals. I especially enjoyed the peg-legged foot prints left by John on the snow covered roof. The final Christmas carolling scene is also a riot. Unlike many Christmas cartoons, this one doesn't get too sappy. It keeps a high level of craziness while remaining in the Christmas spirit.

This is the funniest cartoon that I have ever seen!! Never have I laughed so hard til I cried, but this is the one that did it to me!! I have spent years trying to find out the title to this gem and am so glad to find it!! If you ever get the chance to see it, then do--it is funny beyond funny!! I love it.

Long John Silver and his henchmen, the Herring Boys, dress up as St. Nick and ruin Christmas Eve for the Captain and the Kids. John feels an unusual sting of remorse and is briefly haunted by a vision of himself as a child. (He looks a lot like Buster Brown!!) Lively and amusing, even though the kids aren't allowed to be their traditionally diabolical selves. Silver's unorthodox method of fund-raising is a highlight. I'm not sure who to credit for this since Graham Webb's "Animated Film Encyclopedia" lists Milt Gross as the director, while other sources give the honors to Friz Freleng.

I'm admittedly not overly familiar with "The Captain and the Kids" series. So perhaps this cartoon is a poor place to jump on. Apparently The Captain is dressed up as Santa to deliver presents to the kids. Some British thief (he says blimey and bloomin' a lot) with three weird little guys who hang around him jumps the Captain and puts on his Santa suit. Then he goes into the house and proceeds to terrorize the children destroying everything and ruining their Christmas. So basically what we have here is a Christmas cartoon about a home invasion. Creepy.

The animation is OK but the guy's peg leg switches legs constantly. The humor that I see such praise for here was missing for me. Judging by other reviews this is I guess one of the better "Captain & the Kids" shorts. That doesn't make me want to seek out the others. Undoubtedly fans of the series will enjoy it much more.

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. Actually appreciate it even more through young adults eyes, due to having more knowledge of it, various animation styles, studios, directors and how it all works.

'The Captain's Christmas' is not one of Friz Freleng's best cartoons by any stretch, in an uneven "still evolving" period of his long career, and he was yet to be in his full prime and not yet found his style properly. For a relatively early effort, 'The Captain's Christmas', one of a short-lived series of cartoons and easily the best of them, is well above average but not great or a Freleng classic. He would do much better later when there would be more freshness and wit, more laugh a minute material, an even livelier pace and more confidence.

It is fairly predictable story-wise and the Captain could have had more to. do

However, the titular character and especially John are fun characters and the chemistry between the characters elevates 'The Captain's Christmas'. John is in it more and he is more interesting and funnier.

The cartoon is very amusing, actually hilarious in particularly the final carolling scene, and it goes at a lively and energetic pace. It is a Christmas cartoon but it never gets too sappy.. The dialogue is witty and clever.

Animation is excellent, it's fluid in movement, crisp in shading and very meticulous in detail. It's also pretty witty. The music is lovely on the ears, lushly orchestrated, full of lively energy and characterful in rhythm, adding to the action and even enhancing.

Voice acting from Mel Blanc and Billy Bletcher, Blanc especially with more to do, is terrific and full of character.

Although, above average and hugely entertaining but nothing mind-blowing. 7/10 Bethany Cox