The Screwball (1943) User Reviews

IF this is the first of three 6- to 8-minute cartoons . . .

[pixrox1 · 7/10 · 4 June 2023]

. . . included in Season One of the Woody Woodpecker show, which debuted in 1957--NOT 1940 or 1941 or 1942 or any of the other 14 years prior to 1957-- inexplicably listed here with the specific dates of various cartoons' THEATRICAL releases, which have little if anything to do with a 1957 television show incorporating a trio of Woody's Big Screen outings, along with an introduction by Woody's creator/producer/sometimes story writer/sometime animator Walter Lance. These intros, running five minutes or less, may or may not have been included in each of 1957's Season One television offerings. Whether they carried over to subsequent seasons of Woody TV also is a mystery here. Suffice it to say that IF Season One, Episode 7 included a comment by Walt, it is not among the six included as bonus features on Disc 2 of "The Woody Woodpecker & Friends Cartoon Collection."

Many sportswriters credit this picture for inspiring . . .

[pixrox1 · 7/10 · 16 February 2023]

. . . the 2003 Detroit Tigers in their successful quest for the all-time American League record for having the most second place finishes within a single baseball season, at 119. It's apparent that this film was constantly played in the Tiger clubhouse that year, as frequent center field Al Sanchez clearly patterned his approach to fielding his position after the antics of THE SCREWBALL Woody Woodpecker. For instance, when the opposition hits a long fly ball off home team Drip pitcher Woody, the batty bird throws his glove in the air after it. Amazingly, the glove catches the ball, returning it and itself--like a boomerang--to Woody's wing hand for an out. Sanchez desperately tried to duplicate Woody's feat throughout the 2003 season, with absolutely no luck, despite having the advantage of being in center field to begin with. That's why Al's official team nickname rhymed with "rain-head boron." Of course, that year's Tiger catcher--calling for THE SCREWBALL here--is the current team manager.

Wood goes crazy in the ballpark.

[ja_kitty_71 · 9/10 · 18 May 2008]

The game of baseball would not be the same, thanks to that lovable red-headed nut - Woody Woodpecker in one of my favorite shorts with the early version of Woody. In this short, two baseball teams the Droops and the Drips were playing on the diamond. Woody wants to see the game, but a police officer threw him out for being a gate-crasher. He figures out a way to get in and things are going to get a little crazy in the ballpark.

I love the part when Woody shook a soda bottle and hands it the police officer: "Have some Pop, Cop?" and...*SSSSSSLUSH* the officer gets sprayed. Woody remarks: "No stopper, Copper." Then does the famous "Woody-laugh." Well anyway, I like this cartoon, and I give it a 9 out of 10 for one funny scene.

In the ballpark with Woody Wodpecker

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 8 July 2017]

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. Of the cartoons from his scene-stealing supporting appearance in the Andy Panda cartoon 'Knock Knock' to this, 'Woody Woodpecker', 'Ace in the Hole' and 'The Loan Stranger' are the best. 'The Screwball' is great fun though, with plenty of manic energy.

While there may be cartoon characters with slightly more interesting personalities, Woody is still at his best incredibly funny, never obnoxious and very lovable self, summing him up in one word it would be wonderfully nuts. His personality traits are still evolving and while a few are different others are unmistakably recognisable. Supporting characters work with him well, if not quite as memorable.

As ever, the animation is great. Woody's character design and physicality have changed/evolved for the better. Even more impressive are the rich and vibrant colours, the meticulously detailed backgrounds and the quite smooth drawing.

Another standout quality is the music. It's characterful, lushly orchestrated and is not only dynamic with the action it even enhances it. The writing is suitably witty and raises a number of chuckles. the gags are razor-sharp in timing and often hilarious, especially indeed the one with the soda.

Voice acting is very good as to be expected. 9/10 Bethany Cox