The Tree Medic

. . . jump-starting Norma Jean's movie career by persuading her to keep her alliterative set of initials and for assassinating Daffy Duck. Both of these incidents begin when the prurient window-peeping doctor invades the privacy of Woody's Hollow. At first, Woody tries to distract him with that famous magazine snap in which Norma Jean--styling herself as "sincerely M. M."--appeared in her natal garb as the very first "Sweetheart of the Month" in December, 1953. One thing leads to another, forcing Woody to dynamite the nosy doctor sky high. The latter retaliates by shooting wildly at Woody, mortally wounding the visiting Daffy.

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 are a lot of fun to watch and more and also still like him a lot as a character. He is a lot of fun here and is never obnoxious or a jerk, and is closer to his manic personality here than the heroic or toned down ones adopted around this period. The tree surgeon is also amusing and he and Woody work well together, showing that Wally and Buzz are not the only opponents worthy of Woody.

Alex Lovy is sort of hit and miss for me. Really enjoyed most of his Chilly Willy cartoons, most of which decent to great, but he was also responsible for three of the worst Speedy Gonzales/Daffy Duck cartoons and also created Merlin the Magic Mouse (who went on to star in five of the worst Looney Tunes cartoons of the late 50s). He fares very well however in 'The Tree Medic'.

Sure, the story is very typical and not much of one. Time and budget constraints shows in some of the animation, which is a little rushed looking in the drawing and detail wise it's on the simplistic side.

Not all the animation is applicable to that. It's brightly coloured with some nice if simple backgrounds. There are far worse-looking Woody Woodpecker cartoons.

Music is bouncy, energetic and very lushly orchestrated, not only synchronising and fitting with the action very well but enhancing it. The whole cartoon goes at a snappy pace, especially in the second half.

Gags are always very amusing and never less than that, and Grace Stafford and Daws Butler typically do a fine job voicing.

Overall, very nicely done. 8/10 Bethany Cox