Voo-Doo Boo-Boo

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 (primarily the earlier ones of the 40s to the early 50s, once Paul J. Smith took over in the late 50s onwards the cartoons became very hit and miss) are a lot of fun to watch and more and also still like him a lot as a character. Most of his cartoons with Gabby Gator are some of the best cartoons of his from the later years. Feel this way about one of their best outings 'Voo-Doo Boo-Boo', which has all the same strengths and also the not quite so good things of the other Woody and Gabby cartoons.

Here, Woody is fun and is a pest without being too obnoxious, and while he is not the insanely manic character of the 40s-early 50s efforts he is closer to that to the toned down subdued persona of most of the later cartoons. He shares an enjoyably chemistry with Gabby.

Gabby has now grown on me as one of Woody's better later-years opponents. He is very funny and his personality is both interesting, being crafty but his tendency to be easily outwitted makes him not-so-clever, and endearing, and his dumbness is not overdone or too silly. The female human didn't really serve much point but wasn't so big a liability still, liked what was done with her at the end.

Voice acting is very good. Grace Stafford is my personal favourite of those who voiced Woody Woodpecker and 'Voo-Doo Boo-Boo' is another example as to why. Daws Butler is instantly recognisable and voices very reliably.

Jack Hannah's involvement has a lot to do with how successfully the cartoon comes off. His Woody Woodpecker cartoons are near-consistently among the best later cartoons, because Hannah does so well in making the characters as strong as possible, giving the cartoon a lively energy and the gags and humour are some of the funniest and imaginative (that cauldron is used to full advantage and sees some delightful visual moments) of any late Woody Woodpecker cartoon and of Hannah's output.

While the animation is still a bit simple and rushed-looking in the drawings (low budgets and time constraints being the reasons), the colours and attention to detail are vastly improved from most Woody Woodpecker cartoons from this period being much more vibrant and meticulous.

The story is very predictable and could have done with a little more variety but the energetic pacing helps make it involving. The music is bouncy, energetic and very lushly orchestrated, not only synchronising and fitting with the action very well but enhancing it.

Overall, another surprisingly good later Woody Woodpecker cartoon. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Jack Hannah had many strengths as a director, and in most of his Lantz shorts they shine though. His shorts are some of the most consistently good cartoons from Lantz during this era. The only problem was the animation. While most shorts are solid, featuring Ray Abrams and Al Coe, "voo doo boo boo" is primarily let down by its animation from Roy Jenkins. But to say some good things first, the writing and characters are strong, with a refreshing, new plot and strong character personalities and goals. Backgrounds and atmosphere are also extremely well done. The gags, while not all that funny, are nonetheless very entertaining. Al Coe's animation is nice here, even if it too is a little hampered. However, the scenes with Roy Jenkins's animation are terrible to watch. The ye feel stilted and the action and gags just don't hit as well. Take the locomotive charge scene, Gabby just runs so choppy and his animation doesn't feel like it has any impact to it. Gabby himself is a great foil, and it's nice to see him used here in a different scenario. Overall, a great short that is somewhat ruined due to poor animation, but is strong enough to still be worth watching.