Caballero Droopy

Droopy is south of the border, happily riding a donkey and singing. He's also playing the violin and wearing a big sombrero. Suddenly, out of a cactus tree comes a bandit you quickly rifles through Droopy's wallet. He stops when he gets to a picture of a gorgeous woman. Droopy says, "That's my girl. I am going to serenade her."

The bandit replies, "No, I, the Crisco Kid, will serenade her. (Hey, the real Cisco Kid - star of the 1950s TV - is a good guy, not a bandit!). He sends Droopy away on his little burro and rides off on his big horse "Diablo" to get the girl. Of course, the moment The Kid arrives as the senorita's house, Droopy's already there.

The rest of the cartoon is similar to others in that no matter what the "villain" does, Droopy is always right there, too. You cannot shake loose from this dog! Droopy is relentless.

In a surprise, the woman gives him a big kiss, but Droopy only says, "You know what? That's not sanitary." You just never know what this dog will do, or say.

The artwork in here was tremendous; beautiful, lush colors of the Mexican countryside and villas. There is plenty of music in here and wild sound-effects, too.

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.

'Caballero Droopy' is not directed by master animator Tex Avery this time round but by Dick Lundy, perhaps best known for his work for the character of Donald Duck. Consequently, 'Caballero Droopy' does lack the uniquely wild and wacky style of Avery, which feels a little bland compared to the previous cartoons, but for what it lacks in those areas it more than makes up for in colour and big personality. Lundy does a fine job directing.

Droopy as always is so well established in personality and is high on the humour and charisma scale, as well as resilient and unashamedly relentless. The supporting characters are just as funny and colourful.

The animation is still excellent, while not quite having the wacky or distinctively big expressions and gestures of Avery's visual style in the character animation the colours are vibrant and the attention to detail is brilliant. The Mexican setting is both colourful and exciting.

Music, courtesy of Scott Bradley, is lushly and cleverly orchestrated, with lively and energetic rhythms and fits very well indeed.

As hoped, 'Caballero Droopy' is very funny and inventive, big in personality and doesn't feel too repetitious. The story is well paced if pretty predictable in the conflict.

Voice acting is very good indeed, it was, and still is hard to fault Bill Thompson in any character he voiced.

In summation, very entertaining and well made if lacking the unique Avery style. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Droopy and the Wolf fight over who gets to serenade the beautiful senorita in this good cartoon directed by Dick Lundy.

It's full of high-speed gags, typical of a Droopy cartoon, in part because it's co-written by Heck Allen. Clearly the budgets had been dropping; the character design and background work are far simpler than they had been during the late war years. Inflation and dropping movie attendance were gnawing at MGM's cartoon division, just as they were at every studio.

Mexican Droopy is riding his donkey with a sombrero and a violin. He's on his way to his senorita when he is intercepted by the wolf. It becomes a battle for the beauty's musical heart.

This would be great if Droopy's music isn't so cringey. Of course, I understand the premise but it's hard to take when it sounds like skinning a cat. Also, is the girl a dog hybrid? It would be better if she's a full dog or even a full human. She looks slightly wrong. All in all, it's a good simple cartoon short.

Droopy serenades his girl with the song, Cielito Lindo. But, a cunning wolf decides to interfere and try to win her affection.

Lots of back and forth between the two animal characters as the beautiful girl looks on. The wolf, of course, couldn't count on Droopy's reappearing abilities after each outsmarting, from throwing him down a well to attempting to saw him off a balcony. Add on a hilarious bull fighting scene and you got one hilarious cartoon!

Grade A-