1949's 'Dingbat Land' is the first of two Gandy and Sourpuss, in their first appearance since 1948's 'The Chipper Chipmunk', cartoons from 1949. The other being 'The Covered Pushcart'. It also has Dingbat in his second of only five appearances, after being introduced promisingly in 1948's 'The Hard Boiled Egg'. Personally like Gandy and Sourpuss together while being very mixed on their cartoons and it is a shame that Dingbat didn't last longer or had enough time to evolve.
'Dingbat Land' is a worthy effort for the Gandy and Sourpuss series that may not be anything new but sees both on good form. It is also a worthy effort for Dingbat. As far as Terrytoons' 1949 output goes, 'Dingbat Land' is neither one of the best or worst cartoons. Somewhere in the middle if anything, a cartoon that is worth seeing (if not a repeat viewing cartoon) that doesn't do an awful lot inherently wrong. But doesn't have much that is special also.
Am going to start with what 'Dingbat Land' does well. That the animation fares very well here was not a surprise as this aspect had come on enormously by this point with Terrytoons. It is nicely detailed, lively and colourful without being garish, the animation on the bulls stands out. Again, the music, the thing that was the most consistently good thing from the very beginning with Terrytoons, is a big strength. It is beautifully and cleverly orchestrated and arranged, is terrific fun to listen to and the lively energy is present throughout, doing so well with adding to the action.
Gandy and Sourpuss work entertainingly as a duo. Personally prefer Sourpuss as a character, a more interesting personality and one that appeals more, but Gandy in general had come on significantly since he was first introduced overtime and that is obvious here, his personality is a lot more and it isn't an annoying or dull one in my view. Dingbat steals the cartoon from under them, sure his laugh does grate but he is a very lively character with great comic timing that gels well with them.
The gags are quite a lot and while there is not much originality in them they are amusing, especially Dingbat's antics. On the most part the pacing has a nice energy.
While there is nothing terrible about 'Dingbat Land', when it comes to uniqueness or originality (which one should never really expect from Terrytoons) that is where it falls short. And it is a case of other cartoons doing the same scenario and gags (or at least similar) better. The scenario is familiar ground, not just with Terrytoons or this particular theatrical series but also in animation in general. While enough of the cartoon is lively, it takes a bit of time to warm up.
Although the gags are amusing and are not in short supply, they are generally very predictable from having been seen before elsewhere with more freshness. The ending is on the convenient side.
Summing up, decent and better than expected by late Gandy and Sourpuss standards if unexceptional. 6/10.
'Dingbat Land' is a worthy effort for the Gandy and Sourpuss series that may not be anything new but sees both on good form. It is also a worthy effort for Dingbat. As far as Terrytoons' 1949 output goes, 'Dingbat Land' is neither one of the best or worst cartoons. Somewhere in the middle if anything, a cartoon that is worth seeing (if not a repeat viewing cartoon) that doesn't do an awful lot inherently wrong. But doesn't have much that is special also.
Am going to start with what 'Dingbat Land' does well. That the animation fares very well here was not a surprise as this aspect had come on enormously by this point with Terrytoons. It is nicely detailed, lively and colourful without being garish, the animation on the bulls stands out. Again, the music, the thing that was the most consistently good thing from the very beginning with Terrytoons, is a big strength. It is beautifully and cleverly orchestrated and arranged, is terrific fun to listen to and the lively energy is present throughout, doing so well with adding to the action.
Gandy and Sourpuss work entertainingly as a duo. Personally prefer Sourpuss as a character, a more interesting personality and one that appeals more, but Gandy in general had come on significantly since he was first introduced overtime and that is obvious here, his personality is a lot more and it isn't an annoying or dull one in my view. Dingbat steals the cartoon from under them, sure his laugh does grate but he is a very lively character with great comic timing that gels well with them.
The gags are quite a lot and while there is not much originality in them they are amusing, especially Dingbat's antics. On the most part the pacing has a nice energy.
While there is nothing terrible about 'Dingbat Land', when it comes to uniqueness or originality (which one should never really expect from Terrytoons) that is where it falls short. And it is a case of other cartoons doing the same scenario and gags (or at least similar) better. The scenario is familiar ground, not just with Terrytoons or this particular theatrical series but also in animation in general. While enough of the cartoon is lively, it takes a bit of time to warm up.
Although the gags are amusing and are not in short supply, they are generally very predictable from having been seen before elsewhere with more freshness. The ending is on the convenient side.
Summing up, decent and better than expected by late Gandy and Sourpuss standards if unexceptional. 6/10.
