Like as was said with the previous cartoon 'Alvin's Solo Fight', the first Little Lulu cartoon dated from 1944 and 25 further cartoons followed up to 1948, with mixed results (some great, some good, some average, some mediocre at best). The series was briefly revived with 'Alvin's Solo Fight' and 'Frog's Legs' in the early 60s thirteen years after the last 40s cartoon 'Dog Show Off'.
It was with these two later outings of Little Lulu, in an attempt to revive the character, that strongly suggested that the series had long run its course. If one thought that 'Dog Show Off' showed signs of tiredness and running out of ideas in places, those feelings are amplified in the 60s offerings, made after Famous Studios budgets became smaller, time constraints tighter and their material tired and repetitive. 'Frog's Legs' is a little better than 'Alvin's Solo Fight', due to not having irritating Alvin, but the flaws are identical, hence the similar wording.
Where it fares best is in Winston Sharples' music score. The infectious theme song of the 40s cartoons is not heard unfortunately, and the theme music here is nowhere near as memorable or as fitting. However Sharples' music always was a high point of the cartoons they featured in and often in later period Famous Studios cartoons was the best thing about them, something that is true with 'Frog's Legs' with the music being as whimsical, beautifully orchestrated, luscious, energetic and characterful as always.
Voice acting also fares quite well, with Jack Mercer in multiple roles particularly excelling. Little Lulu and Tubby have a nice chemistry, as they did in their earlier cartoons though with much better material, and effort is made in making them as engaging as possible.
The animation is far removed from the vibrancy, refinement and imagination that was seen in most of the earlier Little Lulu cartoons, and is instead dully coloured and scrappy. 'Frog's Legs' story is not much of one at all, mostly an excuse to string along stale gags that are familiar territory and have been done better. So much of it is predictable and repetitive too, with failed attempts to be cute. The gags generally do feel rather tired as does the momentum, as a result of too little content and a story far too slight for the running time.
Overall, mediocre Little Lulu and Tubby cartoon. 4/10 Bethany Cox
