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.
'Hot and Cold Penguin' is not as good as the previous two cartoons from Tex Avery, which were two of Chilly's and Avery's best, but is still a cute and amusing cartoon. It is a bit predictable, and it's not one of Chilly's funniest or most imaginative, but 'Hot and Cold Penguin' does have enough that makes Chilly Willy's cartons at their best as worthwhile as they are.
Animation quality is not always smooth and refined in the drawing, though both Chilly and Smedley are drawn well, but there are some lovely colours that have real atmosphere and simple but handsomely rendered backgrounds. 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. Chilly's song could easily have been too cloying or self-pitying but is instead pretty sweet and amusing, some clever lyric writing.
Timing is not as perfect as in the Avery-directed Chilly Willy cartoons, but this is a daunting task to do and it does more than serviceably in this regard. The gags are still well timed and they are a lot of fun, the best of them are very funny if not quite hilarious.
While Chilly is adorable without being too cutesy and has some enjoyable moments, 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 is terrific.
In summary, very nicely done. 8/10 Bethany Cox
