Woody Woodpecker

When Woody Woodpecker debuted as an antagonist for star Andy Panda in KNOCK KNOCK in 1940, his zany antics immediately captivated audiences. Shrewdly aware of the woodpecker's star potential, producer Walter Lantz cast him in his first solo cartoon, WOODY WOODPECKER. Under Lantz's uncredited direction, this cartoon discharges an authentically wacky and convulsive energy that's reminiscent of the contemporary Warner Brothers cartoons. Indeed one of the writers, Ben "Bugs" Hardaway had worked at Warner's before Lantz hired him.

Most of the energy comes from Woody himself. He represents the uninhibited id as he darts all over the screen, pulls prankish stunts, sasses his antagonists, and employs his trademark laugh. And what an appropriately outrageous design for an outrageous character with his extremely long bill, buck teeth, goofy eyes, stumpy legs, and a garish mixture of blue, red, yellow and green all over his body. The brilliant Mel Blanc provides an appropriately loony voice that is as oddly endearing as it is funny. Thank to Blanc's work and the skillful animation, Woody Woodpecker never seems obnoxious; just a lovable nut. One senses his comic aggressiveness is not derived from malice but from a naturally manic temperament.

Undoubtedly the highlight is in the beginning when Woody sings "Everybody Thinks I'm Crazy." The lyrics aren't sensationally funny, but Darrel Calker's jaunty music, Blanc's hilarious singing, and the comical animation of Woody's strutting make this a showstopper. In fact, this song would be Woody's theme in his early cartoons. Some one ought to do a cover of this song.

Mel Blanc would've undoubtedly remained the voice of Woody Woodpecker until his death if Warner Brothers hadn't given him an exclusive contract. (However, he did later did Woody's voice on some children's records.) It's a pity because of all the actors I've heard do the woodpecker (I never heard Billy West's work on THE NEW WOODY WOODPECKER SHOW, Blanc was the most impressive. He conveyed a charismatic craziness that none of the other actors I've heard could capture. Although Lantz continued to produce fine Woody Woodpecker cartoons for some time, I feel the woodpecker lost a little pizazz when Blanc was replaced.

This was Woody's first cartoon where he was the star, and his second appearance overall. We get the theme song, the familiar laugh and an opening song "Everybody thinks I'm Crazy." That sort of lets you know what you're in for with this loony animated character, voiced by Mel Blanc of Loony Tunes fame. Blanc stayed with this character until Warner Brothers issued him an "exclusive" contract, which meant Woody had to go, in his repertoire.

Anyway, the creatures in the forest all think Woody's nuts. After a while, he wonders himself so he goes to see a doctor: "Dr. Horace N. Buggy." The doctor, with a Scottish brogue, is nuttier than Woody!

A highlight: Woody carving out a nice totem pole in seconds

I won't let my prejudices stand in the way. While Woody wasn't premiered her, he is introduced as a significant character. He is the center of everything in the most obnoxious way. Here, he is indeed zany and out of control. Later, Walter Lantz softened him a bit, and made him more normal, but he is still off the charts in acting loopy. We are introduced to a Fox who is a psychiatrist. Unfortunately, there is no curing Woody. Nicely done first effort.

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.

After a scene-stealing debut in the Andy Panda cartoon 'Knock Knock', 'Woody Woodpecker' is his first cartoon as a leading character. While there may be cartoon characters with slightly more interesting personalities, Woody is still at his best incredibly funny, never obnoxious and very lovable, summing him up in one word it would be wonderfully nuts. His personality traits are still evolving and while a few are different others are unmistakably recognisable.

For just the first lead Woody Woodpecker cartoon, but his second overall, the animation is great. Woody is much more appealingly designed even though still evolving, while the colours are rich and vibrant and the backgrounds meticulous in their detail.

Love the music too. It's characterful, lushly orchestrated and is not only dynamic with the action it even enhances it. The writing is suitably witty and raises a number of chuckles, while the never less than amusing and beautifully timed sight gags are even more impressive.

Highlight is definitely the "Everybody Thinks I'm Crazy" number, in animation, music and voice work, it is quite the comic masterpiece. The totem pole and struggling to say psychiatrist parts are fun too.

'Woody Woodpecker's' voice acting is strong, while there was more familiarity with the later voice actors the cartoon is evidence that Mel Blanc should have voiced Woody in more cartoons, being a near-unparalleled master at being manic and sharp as a razor that has always suited Woody down pat and he was one of Woody's better voice actors to bring that out.

Overall, a Woody Woodpecker classic. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Woody Woodpecker (1941)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

The title character makes his leading debut here. The film starts off in the woods as Woody is going around acting crazy as usual. The forest creatures bring up the fact that he's crazy so the screwy woodpecker goes to see a psychiatrist to see if he really is. This is a pretty good cartoon that has some funny moments but I think it's still a little less entertaining that some of the later entries in the series. It goes without saying but Mel Blanc does a wonderful job with the voice of Woody and that constant "pecking" is a terrific sound and really makes all of these shorts so memorable. I think a lot of credit should also be given to the supporting characters in the forest as well as the doctor. I think one of the best highlights is a simple joke as Woody not being able to say psychiatrist.