Westward Whoa

Although Beans can be spotted moving in Plane Dippy, this cartoon marks his last regular appearance. After watching a few Beans films, I knew the cat was something more complex than the hog who stole the spotlight from him. I can only wonder what kind of perception film viewers had back then. Whatever they were thinking, it makes me wish Beans had a much longer run than he actually had. What a pity, considering he was groomed to be a star. The cat was a complete package of cuteness, funniness and adventure.

In this film, we have Beans and his friends who traveled west in their wagon train. Beans advices Ham and Ex that if they spotted any Indians, they should come and warn. However, the pups began making false alarms, triggering hysteria at the wagon fort. Eventually, the Indians did show up, therefore adding to the thrill. One thing about this short film is that it gives a good illustration of American history.

If I were a producer working under WB, I would come up with a TV series. There, I would revive Beans. Porky would also be included, and those two will be cast as best buddies.

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.

'Westward Whoa' shows that, as to be expected, that Porky is a likable character and he is and also amusing, cute and interesting, though he is more a cameo supporting role. Beans, in another of his dozen cartoons of his short-lived Looney Tunes career (here his penultimate cartoon and his last pairing with Porky), is more the lead here and has a decently engaging enough personality to make things interesting.

Ham and Ex are sweet and likable and just about escape the trap of being annoying, even if their antics are not hilarious. The Indians are fun and liven things up when they appear.

The story in 'Westward Whoa' is slight and much of the first half is set up, and fairly formulaic set up at that. There is not enough humour here agreed and what gags there are are amusing but more in a mild wry smile sort of way, nothing really hilarious here.

Once the Indians are introduced, the pace livens up, there's more glimpses of a story and there's more action and humour, even if nothing exceptional still.

Animation is characteristically great, especially later on, crisp, detailed and fluid throughout. The music is not Carl Stalling or Scott Bradley and does lack variety at times, but it is still lush and characterful and adds a good deal to the action if not quite enhancing it.

Voice acting is very good, particularly from Billy Bletcher. Joe Dougherty's Porky voice still doesn't do much for me though, not as natural as Mel Blanc's and the stutter has always sounded overdone to me.

In conclusion, above average but not great. 6/10 Bethany Cox

Westward Whoa (1936)

** (out of 4)

Decent animated short has Porky, Beans and others on a trip out West when they are attacked by Indians.

WESTWARD WHOA isn't the worst animated film that you're going to watch but at the same time it's certainly not the best either. The biggest problem with this film is the fact that there really wasn't any laughs and worst of all is the fact that what jokes there are fall flat on their face. Basically you've got the characters running around, acting scared and trying to avoid the Indians. If you've ever seen a Western before then you'll realize the gags that they're going for but none of them work. At least the animation is nice to look at.

Porky Pig and his friends Beans, Little Kitty and Ham and Ex

When this cartoon began, I was NOT a happy guy. Like many of the cartoons of the day, this one featured cutesy singing when it began...something fortunately which disappeared from most cartoons by the 1940s. Fortunately, the singing isn't that extensive. Unfortunately, the cartoon features some characters totally forgotten today....Beans, Little Kitty and Ham and Ex. Only Porky Pig, in his ugly and corpulent mid-30s look, is familiar and he's not the star. Unfortunately he isn't given a lot to do apart from peeling potatoes. The cartoon itself is about settlers heading west during the 19th century--with an Indian attack, chores and covered wagons. And, I am sure Native-Americans seeing their portrayal in this one would NOT be happy!

Overall, a cartoon that is neither good nor terrible....with little that stands out when you watch it.