Chew-Chew Baby

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. As far as the Woody Woodpecker and Wally Walrus collaborations, there are better, such as 'Ski for Two', but 'Chew-Chew Baby' is still hugely entertaining. Plus, while the Woody Woodpecker cartoons pre-Wally had a different design for Woody and were still evolving his personality, here he is closer to the Woody Woodpecker we're familiar with and his personality seems more fully formed.

Regarding Wally, he is by far the best foil in the Woody Woodpecker cartoons, he is very funny and pretty lovable on his own and the two work so well together.

While there may be cartoon characters with slightly more interesting personalities, Woody is still at his best incredibly funny, never obnoxious and very lovable self, summing him up in one word it would be wonderfully nuts. His increasingly manic energy is a delight to see.

As ever, the animation is great. Woody's character design and physicality have changed/evolved for the better. Even more impressive are the rich and vibrant colours, the meticulously detailed backgrounds and the quite smooth drawing.

Can't praise the music enough either, characterful energy, dynamic, action enhancing and lushly orchestrated, with inspired use of "My Darling Clementine" and "My Bonny Lies Over the Ocean".

The writing is suitably witty and raises a number of chuckles, while there are some great increasingly manic gags, especially when Woody is disguised as a woman when 'Chew-Chew Baby' properly comes to life. Pacing is suitably lively.

Overall, another great Woody Woodpecker/Wally Walrus cartoon. 9/10 Bethany Cox