The Terrytoons are oddly interesting, mainly for anybody wanting to see (generally) older cartoons made by lesser known and lower-budget studios. They are a mixed bag in quality, with some better than others, often with outstanding music and with some mild amusement and charm and variable in animation, characterisation and content.
1941, like all the other years for Terrytoons, saw a hit and miss batch though a little more consistent actually than the previous years. Of which 'Flying Fever' is one of the better ones ranking it in correlation with the rest of the Terrytoons and one of the better 1941 cartoons. It is a quite good cartoon that is just fine for a vast majority of the length but runs out of steam a little. 'Flying Fever' is worth the look, with more to it than just completest sake, though for me that was the main reason to see it being someone who is trying to see all the Terrytoons available.
'Flying Fever's' best asset is the music, which unsurprisingly is outstanding. This is hardly surprising as it is always the best thing of the Terrytoons cartoons and always a redeeming quality of the lesser Terrytoons. It is so beautifully and cleverly orchestrated and arranged, is great fun to listen to and full of lively energy, doing so well with enhancing the action. Again, the other great asset is the animation, by now this component had come on enormously since Terrytoons were first established. The ambitious, elaborate detail in the backgrounds is still great to see, as is the comparatively improved fluidity of drawing and movement, transitions are also smoother. Synchronisation in movement and sound is neat.
A number of well timed and amusing moments, touches, and there is lots of zest and natural charm. Many parts of it and the basic set up are nicely done, with the training scenes and progresses being handled entertainingly and compellingly, if not always creatively. Gandy has really grown on me as a character, he was not very appealing or interesting for a while but he did since the early 40s have more likeability and personality and he was more amusing. The rooster is a fun opponent, entertaining and formidable, and their chemistry drives 'Flying Fever' very well.
However, a few of the gags are not as fresh or as well timed and the story could have done with more freshness and variety in places.
Momentum lessens towards the end when the material runs out of steam slightly. For me too it was not hard figuring out how the cartoon was going to end.
In summary, decent. 6/10 Bethany Cox