The Dumb Patrol (Short 1931)

The Dumb Patrol (Short 1931). 7m

“The Bosko cartoons may not be animation masterpieces, but they are fascinating as examples of Looney Tunes in their early days before the creation of more compelling characters and funnier and more creative cartoons.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu0026#39;Dumb Patrolu0026#39; fares considerably better than the previous two at best average Bosko cartoons, and while a long way from a cartoon masterpiece itu0026#39;s somewhere around top middle as far as Bosko cartoons go. The Bosko cartoons are ones where the stories are never a strong suit, and that it would be silly to expect much, even then u0026#39;Dumb Patrolu0026#39; while not plot-less as such is slight and predictable.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSurprisingly u0026#39;Dumb Patrolu0026#39; fares surprisingly well tonally, cheeriness amidst something as heavy and harrowing as war sounds like a recipe for disaster but, apart from occasionally the constant cheeriness going a little overboard to the point of annoyance and the fate of the airplane being a little cruel (considering the airplane was quite compelling as a character), there is a good mix of fun and emotional power.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAs to be expected, even in the lesser Bosko cartoons, the animation is not bad at all. Not exactly refined but fluid and crisp enough with some nice detail, it is especially good in the meticulous backgrounds and some remarkably flexible yet natural movements for Bosko. The music doesnu0026#39;t disappoint either, its infectious energy, rousing merriment, lush orchestration and how well it fits with the animation is just a joy.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBoskou0026#39;s personality appears significantly more fleshed out, before he tended to not be interesting let alone endearing but he is rootable enough here. Honey is neither annoying or bland, and while the villain is stock they also fare well providing the obligatory conflict. Liked the character of the airplane too. The material does quite well finding the right balance of tone, being fun while not necessarily trivialising war.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eOverall, decent if not great. 7/10 Bethany Cox”