Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes, Hanna and Barbera and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons. Actually appreciate it even more now through young adult eyes, thanks to broader knowledge and taste and more interest in animation styles and various studios and directors.
Have a lot of appreciation and admiration for Friz Freleng, while not one of my all-time favourites in animation. His early work was very variable but when on top form and in his prime the best of his work was great and even more. 'Notes to You' is not one of Freleng's best. It is a very good cartoon though, even there are funnier, wittier and fresher cartoons from him, and saw signs of him finding his feet and settling.
'Notes to You' may be predictable at times and the momentum could have had more sharpness at times.
Porky is amusing and likeable as usual though, with nice chemistry with the funnier character of the alley cat. One can understand his frustration and annoyance. Mel Blanc as always does a fantastic job with the voice work, showing an unparalleled ability to bring individuality to multiple characters.
The animation is as always bright and colourful, with lots of smooth movement, imaginative detail in the gags and rich and meticulous detail in the backgrounds. Carl Stalling's music score is as ever high in energy, liveliness, character, lushness and whimsy, and not only is dynamic and fits effortlessly with the action but enhances everything.
What's more, 'Notes to You' is enormously entertaining, with some amusing wildness, wit and bite starting to show at this point in the dialogue. Plus there are some beautifully timed and animated and imaginative sight gags, that contain some surprises and a lively pace.
Overall, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox
