User Reviews

Although I am no great fan of Paul Terry's cartoons, this early sound cartoon from his studio has a number of technical virtues, particularly for its era, that make it noteworthy.

First is the fluidity of movement. The various characters move extremely well for cartoons of this period. Although there are no extant credits, the work of the sequence supervisors and the in-betweeners is extraordinary for this period, trapped, as so many of the cartoonists were in this period, in the 'rubber tube' era of animation.

The background work is also good and if there is the usual amount of cheating to bring down the production costs -- lots of repetitive sequences that could simply be looped -- there are also a goodly number of well-timed gags to make this one worthwhile.

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.

1931's batch of Terrytoons has generally not been as hit and miss as the 1930 batch, but it is a case still of a few pretty good ones, a few average and less ones and most being decent but unexceptional. 'The Champ' generally is one of the better, pretty good efforts. Its main reason for viewing is mainly for anybody striving to see every Terrytoons available like me. Again though that is not the sole reason.

Best asset is the music, which predictably is incredible. 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. The backgrounds for 1931 are remarkably detailed and there is some nice inventive visual detail later on in the cartoon, showing a studio that were aiming for ambition and succeeding in some aspects.

Pacing is neither too hectic or dull, there is a natural charm and fun amusing moments and the characters all appeal and are neither annoying or personality deprived.

However, as is the case with a lot of the Terrytoons cartoons, the character designs are crude and simplistic. There is also some cheapness and repetition going on.

Story is barely existent and a couple of the gags are on the bland side.

In conclusion, one of the better 1931 Terrytoons but doesn't blow the mind. 7/10 Bethany Cox