I'm Cold

. . . in one of Texas Avery's many earlier renditions of I'M COLD. Writing as Bob Service, Texas originally gunned down Dan M-c-G-r-e-w for the Fisher Brothers. Later, he plugged Dan M-c-F-o-o at the behest of Warner. Texas continued his personal vendetta against Dan's over at MGM, perforating Dan M-c-G-o-o. After his third termination for Daniel abuse, Texas decided that giving Dan lead poisoning was for the birds, so he transplanted an ax-wielding penguin to C-o-l-d-e-r-n-e-l-l, Alaska. However, youngsters--particularly sheltered boys--will be horrified at main character Willy's obsession with chopping off mid-torso appendages.

This Chilly Willy cartoon was included on Universal's 3-Disc THE WOODY WOODPECKER COLLECTION; I hadn't yet checked out this set but decided to watch three entries from it regardless, given that they were directed by Tex Avery.

The amiable penguin is feeling cold in his igloo and decides to raid a fur warehouse close by – but, with the place guarded by a smart (yet laid-back) bear, it's not going to be an easy task.

This may not be one of Avery's best efforts, but the constant gag invention in the central battle-of-wills situation ensures a delightful seven minutes or so.

This is one of the two Chilly Willy cartoons that Tex Avery directed, the other being Legend of Rockabye Point, where Chilly is basically an extra in his own cartoon. Chilly's front and center here, but the gags are courtesy of a trademark Avery dog. By all accounts, Tex saw nothing inherently funny in the penguin in general or Chilly in particular, so he created the dog to get some laughs and Chilly was basically along for the ride. A good cartoon with lots of sight gags, per the Tex Avery style. It's too bad he only did four shorts in his second stint with Lantz. One wonders what might have been had he stuck with Lantz. Worth hunting up. Recommended.

Chilly Willy's best cartoons were perfect examples of how a potentially one-joke character and concept could end up actually being a perfect mix of the cute and the funny with a lot of colour and good comic timing to go with it.

'I'm Cold' is only Chilly Willy's second cartoon and is still one of his best. That it is directed by Tex Avery, an animation genius, in the first of two Chilly Willy cartoons (the other 'The Legend of Rockabye Point' being even better, and another one of Chilly's best) by him, may have something to do with it. As said, both see some of the best from Chilly, and, especially 'The Legend of Rockabye Point', both are also among the best Avery did too.

Animation quality is not always smooth and refined, but is significantly more imaginative than in the still impressive debut cartoon 'Chilly Willy' and has some lovely colours and handsomely rendered background. So not amazing, but still pretty good for so early on and really not bad for a Walter Lantz creation. The music is full of lively bounce and character, with luscious orchestration. It not only adds to the action and visuals but enhances them too.

Timing is nigh-on perfect, with Avery on excellent form with the hilarious gags courtesy mainly of Chilly's foil Smedley. The best of them are rich in invention and are hilarious. Chilly, like Pingu, contributed towards my lifelong love of penguins, and he is adorable and amusing here.

He is upstaged though in the humour department by the much funnier Smedley, who is a little more interesting as a character and a great foil for the little penguin. Their rapport drives 'I'm Cold' and it is really inspired, with beautiful timing and sequences that never disappoint in entertainment or providing some variation.

Overall, wonderful and nothing to be left cold by. 10/10 Bethany Cox