Chief Charlie Horse

. . . as they picture--often inadvertently--veritable fortunes, at Today's Red Book prices, in what were everyday coins when the movies were shot. Sometimes the valuables are more presumed than explicitly depicted. Take the plethora of TITANIC flicks. It's a well known fact that all of the millionaires of the early 1900's tooled around with a tip box, consisting mostly or nickels and dimes, sprinkled with a few quarters and half dollars, with which they rewarded outstanding shoe shines, shirt collar starching, bedspread turn downs and coffee cup refills. When the crowd of Vanderbilt's, Rockefeller's, Carnegie's and Astor's drowned, their tip boxes also went down with the ship--and cumulatively are worth more than their entire wardrobes Today! When CHIEF CHARLIE HORSE dumps and rejects a pile of wooden nickels at Woody's feet, however, it's hard to place a value on this mound, as viewers cannot see the mint marks.

Was very fond of Woody Woodpecker and his cartoons as a child. Still get much enjoyment out of them now as a young adult, even if there are more interesting in personality cartoon characters and better overall cartoons.

That is in no way knocking Woody, because many of his cartoons are a lot of fun to watch and more and also still like him a lot as a character. Still like him but 'Chief Charlie Horse' is not one of his best. He does boast the odd amusing moment here but he has been characterised better in cartoons worthier of him. There are some decent or more Paul J. Smith-directed Woody Woodpecker cartoons, but also some average at best ones. 'Chief Charlie Horse' is one of the latter cases.

Some good things here. The best thing about it is the music. It's characterful, lushly orchestrated and is not only dynamic with the action it even enhances it. Grace Stafford does a great job with the voice work and deserving of more credit than she does.

Also some nice vibrant colours here and there and there are moments that raise a smile. Chief Charlie Horse is a colourful and amusing character.

'Chief Charlie Horse' however has issues. Woody personality-wise seems very toned down here, his manic or intentional pest sides not coming through much. That the cartoon feels tired in timing also doesn't help, Woody's personality really shines when the pacing is snappy and wild, neither is the case here.

Humour-wise, 'Chief Charlie Horse' has moments, but that doesn't feel enough. The dull timing hurts it as well as that the conflict never properly gels, while the gags themselves are not very well timed and just feel uninspired and over-familiar.

When it comes to the animation, detail-wise it's very simplistic and the drawing is scrappy and careless. Finesse is definitely not a strong suit. The setting was an intriguing one but generally speaking too much of the action was typical Woody Woodpecker territory with a few differences.

Overall, average fare. 5/10 Bethany Cox

While woody has had his fair share of shorts with Indians, some more offensive than others, this one is arguably the most tame. Nothing here is bad, just boring. The gags with the sheriff aren't funny and just make him look like an idiot. While the shenanigans between woody and the Indian are solid, they don't really amount to much. Paul smith has his signature relating gag, but here it just doesn't work to make the audience laugh. The premise is solid, and it does show off a little bit of its potential, but like the gags, it never really amounts to much of anything. Despite that, it's okay enough to where I'd recommend giving it at least a watch. Definitely not horrible, but a bit of a long ways from some of woodys best shirts like socko in Morocco or woodpecker from mars.