Dumb-Hounded

The Wolf has escaped from prison, and the cops have set the blood hounds on his trail. Also Droopy. No matter where the Wolf runs to, Droopy is always there.

Tex Avery was not a fan of series characters, but there is something in Droopy's stoic passivity that kept him going for 19 cartoons. Of course, the outsized reaction of the Wolf to Droopy's monotone made the cartoons work, but that's not all there is to it. There's Avery's wild gags, including one when the Wolf runs off the film. Anyway, lots of fun!

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.

Also have much admiration for Tex Avery, an animation genius whose best cartoons are animated masterpieces and some of the best he ever did. Generally like the Droopy cartoons and the character himself a lot, his best cartoons are classics and among Avery's best. 'Dumb-Hounded' is a remarkable debut for Droopy and to this day is among his better cartoons. Droopy looks different in 'Dumb-Hounded, but for so early on his personality is so well established and he has everything that makes him a great character in the first place.

Luckily the Wolf is a very worthy foil, with just as interesting and funny a personality as Droopy. What could have been a tired one-joke cartoon turned out to be an endlessly inventive and hysterically funny in typical Avery-style cartoon.

Tex Avery does a wonderful job directing, with his unique, unlike-any-other visual and characteristic and incredibly distinctive wacky humour style all over it once again.

'Dumb-Hounded' is over-the-top in a wonderful way, a long way from dumb (in fact very clever), creative and full of inspired visual gags and hilariously droll asides and puns. There is enough variety to stop it from being repetitious.

It's beautifully and brilliantly animated as usual. The character designs are unique, Avery always did have creative character designs, and suitably fluid. The music, courtesy of Scott Bradley, is lushly and cleverly orchestrated, with lively and energetic rhythms and fits very well indeed.

Voice acting is very good from Bill Thompson and Frank Graham.

Overall, classic Droopy debut that makes one happy, that always entertains and never insults the viewer. 10/10 Bethany Cox

The first Droopy cartoon is a great one. He's a simple, calm, and slow yet witty dog that is sharp as nails. He drives a escaped convict crazy, showing up in every place the convict tries to escape to.

It's non-stop fun and laughter, sure to bring smiles to everyone's faces. It's absolutely entertaining!

Grade A

Droopy is omnipresent. He never says much or does much--he is just there. When the escaped convict wolf meets him, he doesn't need to do anything. His very presence is enough. Tex Avery pulls out all the stops here with his vibrating, eye popping animation.

This short is an early look at Droopy. He's drawn a bit differently, but is recognizable all the same. In many ways this is the archetypical Tex Avery short-the visual gags are among his most outrageous ever, all the trademarks are here-signs, asides to the audience, the lot. Avery would re-visit this theme again, more than once. An incredible cartoon. Glad to see it's in print. A must-see for anyone interested in animation. Most highly recommended.