Van Bueren Studios' Cubby the Bear series comprised of just 17 cartoons made between 1933-1934. As much as it pains me to say it, speaking as a big animation fan, it is not hard to see why the character and the series weren't so popular and didn't last long.
'Cubby's World Flight' is one of the few cartoons produced by Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising, and it's generally one of Cubby's better and more watchable cartoons. It's far from great, or even particularly good, however it's watchable and one of not many Cubby cartoons to be above mediocre despite being very problematic (a few of them the same as most of the series).
It is one of the better-looking Cubby cartoons by far. This is true for the other Harman/Ising-produced efforts as well. The animation is more fluid and detailed here and less static, simplistic or sloppy like most Cubby cartoons. The aviation sequences are enjoyable and there are a few amusing gags, something that most Cubby cartoons struggle to achieve.
Best thing about 'Cubby's World Flight' though is the music score. It is so beautifully and cleverly orchestrated and full of lively energy that is sorely lacking elsewhere, doing so well with enhancing the action. Pacing is sprightly and things at least make sense.
However, Cubby himself is still not an engaging character, Harman and Ising don't really do very much to improve him. He is one of the blandest and most personality-deprived characters ever to exist, although he does have more motivation to usual and not as poorly animated.
A few amusing moments aside, 'Cubby's World Flight' is low on gags and they never rise above amusing, a couple straining to even reach that. The story is thin, tends to not go very far and is very episodic and formulaic.
On the whole, watchable but uninspired. 5/10 Bethany Cox
