Terrytoons' cartoons were never irredeemable but they were never really outstanding either. In general, the standard was mediocre at worst and decent at best. The music was always the best asset, while the animation improved vastly over time. The story however was very nearly always the sore spot even in the best Terrytoons cartoons, and the characterisation and the gags were hit and miss.
1944's 'The Helicopter' is another decent Terrytoons cartoon from the year, 'The Butcher of Seville' starting the 1944 batch off. As far as this year's batch goes, 'The Helicopter' is one of the better ones. Despite having a very familiar premise, Terrytoons exploring it fairly frequently with varying success (the same goes for other studios, all doing them with much more heart), there is enough cuteness and charm to this to stop it from being maudlin. It's pleasant enough and more than competently made, but it could have been better.
As is the case with Terrytoons, the story is the weakest asset. It is very slight, could have done with more energy and doesn't add an awful lot new to the "saving the day after being scorned" formula so it is very formulaic. The gags could have been more and sharper, and again there is a recycled running out of ideas feel at times.
Did find the mice bland and not easy to root for. Some garishness here and there.
However, the music is fantastic and as ever with Terrytoons the best thing about 'The Helicopter'. 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. Most of the colours are fine counter-balancing what was said in the above paragraph and the animation does show the vast improvement that has been made over-time in this aspect. Overall, it is nicely detailed, lively and colourful.
Enough of 'The Helicopter' is well timed, cute and amusing and it was hard not to tear up at the end. The helicopter was much more rootable and was a likeable character. The department store was a lively setting.
Summarising, decent. 6/10