Snowman's Land

Back in the 1930s, B-movies and serials starring Canadian Mounties (such as "Renfrew of the Royal Mounted" and "Perils of the Royal Mounted") were VERY popular. So, it's not at all surprising that Looney Tunes would make several cartoons starring folks from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

This cartoon is a 'one off' story...meaning the character is one you'll see here once and only once. And, like most of Looney Tunes' one-off cartoons of the time, it's a color cartoon (most series cartoons from Looney Tunes in the 1930s were in black & white).

The main character is a Mountie who seems to have been based strongly on Goofy from Disney. The laugh and the look clearly are inspired by Goofy.

So is it any good? Well, it's not exactly amazing or a must-see but it is an enjoyable time-passer.

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 more now thanks to broader knowledge of directors, studios and animation styles that was not had as much before.

Chuck Jones is one of the greatest geniuses in animation history, or at least to me and many others, but 'Snowman's Land' while still a watchable effort is not one of the best representations of him by any stretch. Once his style was properly found, when his cartoons became much funnier, wittier, more inventively animated and iconic characters introduced and made household names, Jones did go on to much better things. 'Snowman's Land' having said that is an interesting look at him in his very early days.

Although the Mountie is kind of cute, the character is also rather bland and the chemistry between him and Dirty Pierre doesn't always have enough spark. 'Snowman's Land' is more mildly amusing rather than laugh-a-minute or among the funniest cartoons around, and there could have been more variety in the gags.

Story-wise, 'Snowman's Land' is likable and lively in pace but it is pretty predictable and occasionally does try too hard to be cute that it comes over as sugary.

However, the rest of the animation is very good. It's beautifully drawn, very detailed and the colours are vibrant, complete with some great expressions for particularly Dirty Pierre.

Carl Stalling's music score is typically lushly and cleverly orchestrated, with lively and energetic rhythms, it's also beautifully synchronised with the action and gestures/expressions and even enhances the impact. All of those things Stalling was an unparalleled master at in animation, or at least in my view.

'Snowman's Land' is amiable and amusing enough, the timing is lively and the animals add a good deal. The funniest and most interesting character in the cartoon is Dirty Pierre, displaying energy and menace. Mel Blanc's voice acting as usual is stellar in its versatility.

Overall, nice and watchable but unexceptional. Doesn't see a genius of his craft at his best or on top form, instead it's early career stages that's worth a curious look to see how he fared when he was yet to find or refine his style. 6/10 Bethany Cox

Snowman's land is close to being a prequel of Conrad the Sailor (1942). The setting and gags are different, but the relationship between the Mountie and Dirty Pierre and that between Daffy Duck and Conrad Cat are virtually identical. This shouldn't be surprising, since the principals in both films are identical: Jones directing, Monahan writing, Blanc voicing the adversary and Colvig voicing the dupe. This doesn't mean that this pair of films are bad; they do show a definite refinement of technique in Jones' use of characters in the three intervening years.