The Legend of Rockabye Point

Tex Avery and Michael Maltese were known to repeat their gags, honing them to perfection.

This cartoon is the epitome of the "sleeping" gag Avery did in several of his Metro cartoons.

This particular cartoon is in my top twenty-five of the best.

Pros: Glad it got an Oscar nomination; Avery as usual Cons: Seen familiar Avery gags before, but that doesn't bother me

I love cartoons. Especially Woody Woodpecker (and Chilly Willy). Don't ask me for technical details, producers, studio's and so on, but I know a good cartoon when I see one. But to give you an idea of the lasting impression this one has made on me: It is the first (and only) cartoon which name I've ever remembered. It's probably the most hilarious cartoon I've ever seen (and maybe will ever see). I've been searching for it for about ten years now. They don't make them like this anymore

Chilly Willy's best cartoons were perfect examples of how a potentially one-joke character and concept could end up actually being a perfect mix of the cute and the funny with a lot of colour and good comic timing to go with it.

'The Legend of Rockabye Point' is the second of Tex Avery's two Chilly Willy cartoons after the wonderful 'I'm Cold'. As good as that cartoon was, this is even better, one of the best Avery (an animation genius) ever did and one of his last masterpieces in a long career full of them. As far as Chilly Willy cartoons go, 'The Legend of Rockabye Point' is one of the best, Avery's involvement may have something to do with it.

Animation is the smoothest and most refined yet of the Chilly Willy cartoons in terms of drawing. There are also some lovely colours and handsomely rendered backgrounds, while there are some more imaginative visuals than before. The music is full of lively bounce and character, with luscious orchestration. It not only adds to the action and visuals but enhances them too.

Timing is nigh-on perfect, with Avery on excellent form with the hilarious gags with the funniest moments coming from the polar bear. The best of them are rich in invention and are hilarious, while an idea that is not exactly original is dealt with with so much freshness that that is insignificant.

No denying that Chilly is absolutely adorable without being cloying and has a few amusing moments, but he is more of a supporting character here with the lion's share belonging to the bulldog and particularly the polar bear. Not that that matters, Chilly was one of those characters where just the sight of him was more than enough at times. The chemistry between the three of them is brilliant though, which was essential in the cartoon's success being its driving force.

Overall, exceptional. Avery and Chilly Willy fans shouldn't miss this one. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Tex Avery was the best director of cartoon shorts, certainly in the Golden Age and probably ever. In my opinion, The Legend of Rockabye Point is his best short in a long, distinguished career. t's nominally a Chilly Willy cartoon, but the primary focus is not Chilly, but a polar bear named Charlie and a bulldog (I think his name is Sam) and the perfect Avery running gag. That this is not currently in-print saddens me beyond belief. It should be. I wish I had this cartoon! Highly recomended.