Le grand méchant louche

Considering that this film was directed by Tex Avery and stars Droopy, you know that you're in for a good time! It begins with a nasty wolf riding his horse into a western town. Soon, he becomes enamored with a singing beauty (who looks much like a western version of Swingshift Cinderalla from an earlier Avery cartoon) and kidnaps her. What follows is an insane Avery sort of chase--complete with elevators and other wackiness. Ultimately, our hero is able to save the day and get the girl.

As you'd expect from the Tex Avery cartoons that he made for MGM, this one has terrific animation, lots of wonderful gags and a weirdness that makes you shake your head and wonder what was wrong with that guy! Funny and well worth your time.

In the old west, wanted criminal Joe Wolf holds up an ice-cream stage coach and steals a treat. He's followed closely by Droopy. Wolf rides into town and starts shooting up the place. Everybody is scared except Droopy. Wolf is taken with hot lounge singer Red and kidnaps her.

I like everything except Droopy's voice. He doesn't sound like the Droopy that I know and he doesn't talk enough. He has the same style, but the tone is off. They're probably using different voice performers. As for the final reveal, a funnier joke would be Droopy demanding that Wolf pay for the ice cream and let him go afterwards. This is good overall.

A "wanted poster" on a cactus sets up this story: the big bad wolf is wanted and the reward is $5,000, which would be untold thousands today. We then see the notorious bandit - and his horse who also is wearing a mask! - hold up a stage. Unfortunately, it turns out to be only the "Good Rumor Man" (they love puns in these cartoons) stagecoach, carrying ice cream. The bandit - and the horse - ask for "Neapolitan" and "Tutti Fruitti," respectively.

It's this kind of insanity that makes me love these Tex Avery Droopy cartoons. They are so full of great dialog in addition to the sight gags that I constantly laugh throughout most of them. The absurdity of a horse asking for a tutti-fruitti ice cream bar is just one example.

Of course, you know who is going to catch this bandit: little Droopy, with a cowboy hat on that is bigger than him. The action will take place at the "Rigor Mortis Saloon" where customers are invited to "come in and get stiff." Ouch!!

As with the "Dan McGoo" cartoon, we get the beautiful woman singing a song on stage and the wolf's eyeballs flying out but that part is very short. The chase begins when this varmint grabs that sexy singer and rides off with her out of the saloon. A posse is quickly formed and we a corny horse race....but you know who will win this "race" to get the villain.

My favorite character in this story was the bandit's horse, who was really funny. All in all, more good silly, corny animated fun....and another great restoration job on this Droopy "Complete Theatrical Collection" DVD. The colors in here look fantastic. For fans of this cartoon, I highly recommend this DVD.

Another Droopy cartoon that is full of the dog's simpleness, calmness, and slow yet witty personality. He is sharp as nails and drives a ruthless outlaw crazy, showing up in places he least expects it.

It's non-stop fun and action (even some adult-oriented fare!). Some laughs, and plenty of witty spoofs and gags.

Grade B+

Droopy is he hero here. The wolf is a holdup man. He is terrorizing the old west, and he has a beautiful young woman, tied up in a cabin. His problem is the ever persistent Droopy who never lets up. No matter where the wolf goes or how evasive he is, the sad little dog is always there. Good Tex Avery stuff.