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.
A WWII zoo travelogue cartoon featuring Porky Pig and directed by Norm McCabe, 'Who's Who in the Zoo' is an example of a very well-made, hugely enjoyable and sometimes educational cartoon that falls short of being a classic. The story is best forgotten, it's basically a collection of spot the animal sight gags. Porky is underused and his personality has been stronger in other cartoons before and since.
However, the animal gags are pitched beautifully and they range from very funny to hilarious. It is agreed that the ending with the lion is the best and funniest.
Mel Blanc is outstanding as always however. He always was the infinitely more preferable voice for Porky, Joe Dougherty never clicked with me, and he proves it here. Blanc shows an unequalled versatility and ability to bring an individual personality to every one of his multiple characters in a vast majority of his work, there is no wonder why he was in such high demand as a voice actor.
Robert C. Bruce was famous for providing narration that entertained and educated, not the telling-the-story kind that Sterling Holloway for Disney was famous for, without being over-explanatory or distracting. This is especially true in the "How To" Goofy series for Disney. He does the narration here, and it has all the qualities that he brought to that series of cartoons with aplomb and better than anyone.
The animation is excellent, it's fluid in movement, crisp in shading and very meticulous in detail. There is a lot of energy, the zoo setting is used to full potential and McCabe directs very capably, even if prominent competition like Bob Clampett, Tex Avery and Chuck Jones were more inspired and more inventive with more distinctive styles. Sorry if this sounds unfair, and it is, but it is hard to not make them and somewhat inevitable.
Ever the master, Carl Stalling's music is typically superb. It is as always lushly orchestrated, full of lively energy and characterful in rhythm, not only adding to the action but also enhancing it.
Overall, very solid well done cartoon if more for the support than Porky. 8/10 Bethany Cox
