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.
1930's batch was generally of the watchable but unexceptional standard, with a few that rose above that and were actually quite good (this, 'Hungarian Goulash' and 'Scotch Highball') and a few that fell below and were lacklustre or less (especially 'Bully Beef'). As indicated, 'Pigskin Capers' is one of the better 1930 Terrytoons, not perfect but it's fun. Will say though that a large part of me does wish the French prints with German subtitles and a silhouetted orchestra opening sequence was still available, the opening titles for the US (?) prints, like here, are nowhere near as inspired.
'Pigskin Capers' story is basic and formulaic. It also gets off to a slightly slow start with standard action.
The animation, apart from some detailed backgrounds, is less than great. Not as cheap as 'Bully Beef', but the character designs and movement see a lot of simplistic crudeness and there is a lot of repetition that is indicative of low budget and tight time constraints (would say laziness but that's probably being unfair to the cartoon, always try to be fair judging and reviewing anything).
However, the music is as expected 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.
Despite the story not being much special, it is carried along by a lively pace, natural charm and numerous pretty amusing absurdist gags. The characters may not have significant development to them but are not annoying or personality deprived. The fun, excitement and danger of the sport is well captured and the ending is surprising.
In conclusion, well done, good effort and a fun caper. 7/10 Bethany Cox
1930's batch was generally of the watchable but unexceptional standard, with a few that rose above that and were actually quite good (this, 'Hungarian Goulash' and 'Scotch Highball') and a few that fell below and were lacklustre or less (especially 'Bully Beef'). As indicated, 'Pigskin Capers' is one of the better 1930 Terrytoons, not perfect but it's fun. Will say though that a large part of me does wish the French prints with German subtitles and a silhouetted orchestra opening sequence was still available, the opening titles for the US (?) prints, like here, are nowhere near as inspired.
'Pigskin Capers' story is basic and formulaic. It also gets off to a slightly slow start with standard action.
The animation, apart from some detailed backgrounds, is less than great. Not as cheap as 'Bully Beef', but the character designs and movement see a lot of simplistic crudeness and there is a lot of repetition that is indicative of low budget and tight time constraints (would say laziness but that's probably being unfair to the cartoon, always try to be fair judging and reviewing anything).
However, the music is as expected 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.
Despite the story not being much special, it is carried along by a lively pace, natural charm and numerous pretty amusing absurdist gags. The characters may not have significant development to them but are not annoying or personality deprived. The fun, excitement and danger of the sport is well captured and the ending is surprising.
In conclusion, well done, good effort and a fun caper. 7/10 Bethany Cox
