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. Actually appreciate it even more through young adults eyes, due to having more knowledge of it, various animation styles, studios, directors and how it all works.
'Those Beautiful Dames' is not one of Friz Freleng's, a director who did many great cartoons and a director held in high admiration by me, best, not being one of his funniest, wittiest or freshest. For relatively early Freleng, 'Those Beautiful Dames' is worth watching though he would do much better later. It is never what one would call properly hilarious (but is never unfunny), Freleng's later efforts show more evenness and confidence in directing and the story.
It is quite thin in terms of story and the structure is basically an excuse to string the events along. It is not terribly imaginative and occasionally momentum is not always there.
Not all the characters are given enough time or personality to properly shine.
However, many of the characters are fun, and the protagonist is appealing and easy to root for, really sympathised with her bleak plight.
The cartoon has enough very amusing moments (loved those teddy bears), some variety and there is a good deal of liveliness when the toys appear. The conflict is nicely done and there is a good deal of cuteness and charm. There is a bleakness at the beginning that wrenches the heart and parts are touching, yet the sentimentality doesn't go overboard.
Animation is very good, it's fluid in movement, crisp in shading, vibrant and very meticulous in detail. The music is lovely on the ears, lushly orchestrated, full of lively energy and characterful in rhythm, not only adding to the action but also enhancing it.
Overall, worth watching. 7/10 Bethany Cox
