User Reviews

Oscar the Pig tries to go skiing in what I assume is Switzerland in this amusing Terrytoon.

Oscar was the star of several of Paul Terry's cartoons in this period, usually in efforts concerning winter sports, for some reason. His largely silent antics -- although he does shout a couple of times in this one -- are quite funny. I can also conclude that Mr. Terry wanted a greater sense of identification with his intended audience of small children; doubtless he thought mothers would not care to have their youngsters identifying with hogs. It's not like anyone else had a successful pig star. Oh, wait. Schlesinger did with Porky Pig.

Musical director Philip Scheib offers some fun in the score with some nice woodwinds in the lower ranges, possibly a contrabassoon, as well as what sounds like xylophones.

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.

1940, like all the other years for Terrytoons, saw a hit and miss batch. Of which 'Swiss Ski Yodelers' is one of the high middle ones ranking it in correlation with the rest of the Terrytoons and one of the better 1940 cartoons. It is a decent if unexceptional cartoon with a lot of strengths and some problems as well. 'Swiss Ski Yodelers' is also worth the look, completest sake is the main reason to see it but it's not the only 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 ambitious, elaborate detail in the backgrounds is still great to see, as is the comparatively improved fluidity of drawing and movement, and some synchronisation in movement and sound is neat. Colour is vibrant.

A number of well timed and amusing moments, some neat touches with Oscar, some imaginative and there is some zest and natural charm, and parts of it and the basic set up are nicely done. The characters are fun, especially Oscar, who should have lasted much longer and is much more interesting than most Terrytoons characters with their own series.

A few of the transitions are not always polished on the other hand.

Likewise, the story is paper thin and formulaic with not an awful lot to it (like the cartoon in general). In terms of gags, a few lack freshness and wit to work properly. The cartoon can veer towards being too cute and a lot of it is pretty predictable. Some choppiness too and the cartoon feels slightly old fashioned in places.

Summing up, above average and not bad at all, though also not great. 6/10 Bethany Cox