Chuck Jones is widely considered one of animation's finest directors/animators and for very good reason. When he was at his best, his cartoons were masterpieces of animation, comic timing, characterisation and wit.
The Sniffles cartoon series were very early efforts for Jones, and, while they are interesting from a historical perspective, it is safe to say that from personal opinion they really don't see him at his best. There is somewhat of a still finding his feet feel here, with the humour once he became a regular director for the Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies cartoons becoming much funnier, more constant and wittier and the characterisation far more interesting.
Previous to 'The Egg Collector', the Sniffles cartoons have been mixed with the best being 'Sniffles and the Bookworm'. 'The Egg Collector' is among the better cartoons in the series. It is predictable in terms of story, although with the addition of Bookworm it's a practical recycling of the story of 'Little Brother Rat', the Sniffles cartoons were hardly known for their originality.
Again while not as sickly sweet as a few other Sniffles cartoons 'The Egg Collector' tries a little too hard to be cute.
On the other hand, 'The Egg Collector's' animation is very good. It is lush and vibrant in colour and meticulous and beautifully drawn in detail. The character designs are fluid, well drawn and distinctive Jones, if not the creative ones of his very best cartoons. Carl Stalling's music is lush and characterful, with clever orchestration and a mastery of not just adding to the action but enhancing it as well (Stalling was a near-unequalled master at this, though Scott Bradley gave him a run for his money).
'The Egg Collector' is likable and fun enough and Sniffles is a little more compelling here with a well-meaning personality while making mistakes. The bookworm is appealing. Best of all, and the best thing about the cartoon, is the owl, one of the best characters to appear in a Sniffles cartoon, love the erudite and smugly witty personality and his interaction with Sniffles is fun.
In conclusion, pretty decent but Jones did go on to much better things. 7/10 Bethany Cox
