The Little Lion Hunter

No doubt "Little Lion Hunter" seemed funnier before people widely understood it as racist, with Inki portrayed as having bulging lips. It was the era before most Americans had studied Africa seriously, and so they knew it as the "Dark Continent", populated by savages prancing around in loin cloths (which eventually got replaced by the image of helpless peasants). The individuals behind this cartoon probably weren't trying to be mean, they just didn't know any better. I guess that as long as we understand the context, this cartoon is OK. I think.

Why couldn't there have ever been a story of someone from Africa teaching air-head, materialistic white people how to live communally?

"The Little Lion Hunter" is the less good of the 3 cartoons with a lion. That is, of course, in my opinion. But still, it is quite enjoyable, fun and entertaining. Besides, the artwork is pretty good.

In each one of these 3 cartoons, there is a lion. In each one of them, the lion is different because it's not the same lion. However, they all have in common the fact that the lion is a male and is hungry. In each one of them, the lion is beautiful, although the lion of "Inki and the Minah Bird" is the prettiest of the three. Also, the lion of "Inki and the Minah Bird" is most humorous, more easy-going, more goofy, more like a lion one can play with. The lions of "The Little Lion Hunter" and "Inki and the Lion" are more fierce, although still playful enough.

In all of these 3 cartoons, the lion always loses, which is too bad.

Nevertheless, it is a worthy cartoon.

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.

Chuck Jones is one of the greatest geniuses in animation history, or at least to me and many others, but 'The Little Lion Hunter' while still a watchable effort is not one of the best representations of him by any stretch. Once his style was properly found, when his cartoons became much funnier, wittier, more inventively animated and iconic characters introduced and made household names, Jones did go on to much better things. 'The Little Lion Hunter' having said that is an interesting look at him in his very early days.

Although Inki is kind of cute and the interaction with the animals is amusing, people are not going to take kindly to the unappealing visual design of the character or the less than flattering stereotypical behaviour. 'The Little Lion Hunter' is more mildly amusing rather than laugh-a-minute or among the funniest cartoons around, and there could have been more variety in the gags.

Story-wise, 'The Little Lion Hunter' is likable and lively in pace but it is pretty predictable and occasionally does try too hard to be cute that it comes over as sugary.

However, the rest of the animation is very good. It's beautifully drawn, very detailed and the colours are vibrant, complete with some great expressions for particularly the lion.

Carl Stalling's music score is typically lushly and cleverly orchestrated, with lively and energetic rhythms, it's also beautifully synchronised with the action and gestures/expressions and even enhances the impact. All of those things Stalling was an unparalleled master at in animation, or at least in my view.

'The Little Lion Hunter' is amiable and amusing enough, the timing is lively and the animals add a good deal. The funniest and most interesting character in the cartoon is the lion, whose rapport with Inki is the highlight. Mel Blanc's voice acting as usual is stellar in its versatility.

Overall, nice and watchable but unexceptional. Doesn't see a genius of his craft at his best or on top form, instead it's early career stages that's worth a curious look to see how he fared when he was yet to find or refine his style. 6/10 Bethany Cox