Now a fairly obscure character, Buddy was the second Warner Brothers Looney Tunes character, after Bosko and followed by Beans the Cat. Buddy didn't last long, being retired in 1935 after 23 cartoons starting in 1933.
'Buddy's Day Out' is notable, after a troubled start for the character in production, for being Buddy's debut cartoon. It is interesting for historical interest but as an overall cartoon there isn't that much to it, and historical interest is pretty much the main, and only, reason to see it. Not terrible but not a cartoon that would persuade me to watch it over and over. Part of the trouble is the character of Buddy himself, one can see why he didn't last long. Not annoying as such and less of a stereotype than Bosko, but he isn't the most interesting or compelling of characters. Pretty bland to me actually and rarely funny.
It's pretty much the same for 'Buddy's Day Out' as a cartoon too. A few amusing, but never hilarious, moments, but doesn't have enough to sustain consistent interest due to most of it being lacking in laughs, being far too cutesy and with dialogue enough to make one cringe. Likewise with most of the supporting characters. It's very thin on plot and the pacing is the opposite of lively.
However, there are good elements. The animation is nicely drawn and detailed. Music played a big part in the Buddy cartoons and it was essential for it to work. Luckily it has the liveliness and energy, as well as the lush and vibrant orchestration, that was lacking elsewhere.
As aforementioned there are a few amusing moments, especially with the car, train and ladder gags. Cookie is pretty charming and a more likable personality than Buddy, though like him she is not the most interesting of characters either.
In conclusion, a less than compelling day out and a fairly average debut cartoon for a historically significant but not particularly interesting character. 5/10 Bethany Cox
