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Little Lulu has a ticket to ride the train, but can't find it, so the conductor, voiced by the inimitable Jackson Beck, wants to throw her off in this sharply turned cartoon from Famous Studios.

Little Lulu, based on the comic strip by "Marge" was a blank-faced little girl and she was just made for the movie cartoons. With her blank-faced mien, just right for the audience to impose their own emotions and the sharp writing by Larry Riley and others, she afforded Famous a short but lively series until they decided they didn't want to pay the residuals and created Little Audrey. This is a solid little cartoon and well worth your time.

Kudos to Robert Connavale for his background work. Clearly he made the trip on the Indian Detour of the Southern Pacific and used the experience for this cartoon.

The 26 Little Lulu cartoons made during 1944-1948 (and the two made in the early 60s) were uneven (individually and the series as a general overview) but watchable.

While there are, previous to 'Loose in a Caboose', some good Little Lulu cartoons such as 'Hullaba-Lulu', 'Magica-Lulu', 'Musica-Lulu', 'Bargain Counter Attack' and 'Beau Ties' and some great ones like 'Bored of Education' and 'Chick and Double Chick', there are also mediocre or less ones such as 'Lulu Gets a Birdie', 'Lulu at the Zoo' and 'Lulu's Birthday Party' (two of those three having the character of Mandy as one of the main problems).

'Loose in a Caboose' is well made and solid stuff, if just falling short of greatness. The story is slight, and some of the stereotypes (a couple very unappealingly drawn) are not for the faint hearted then and now.

However, there are many good things. First and foremost, the animation is nice. The style of it may take some getting used to but when you compare this cartoon to Little Lulu's debut 'Eggs Don't Bounce' the difference is staggering, here the drawing is more refined and the colours more vibrant. Winston Sharples' music score is whimsical, beautifully orchestrated and characterful as always. The main song is infectious.

Doesn't fall short in the laughs department either, the gags are very well executed and while never hilarious they are highly amusing with misfires being none. Little Lulu is very engaging as a protagonist, and the train conductor is a great foil character, very mean but in a delicious sense.

Cecil Roy and particularly Jackson Beck do reliably strong voice work.

In conclusion, very nice cartoon. 8/10 Bethany Cox