Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons. Appreciate it even more, due to broader knowledge of the different animation techniques, studios and animators/directors and also with understanding more the humour and referencing in many cartoons. Tex Avery to me and many others is one of the greats in animation history, especially in the 40s.
1939's 'Screwball Football' though is interesting for anybody wanting to see what Avery's earlier work was like pre-1940. Much of his early work is well worth watching, though not up to the same level as the visually imaginative, laugh a minute, energetic and daring stuff he is best remembered for. Much of his earlier work is comparatively quite tame and like Avery had not yet found his style or had been found but not yet fully formed. The latter being the case with 'Screwball Football'.
'Screwball Football' isn't perfect. The story is very slight, could have done with more consistent energy (not quite enough wackiness here) and tends to be very predictable. The outcome, which also could have done with a little more excitement and tension, particularly.
Not much is hilarious or up to his imaginative standard. Not much risk-taking or boundary-breaking here, let alone his typical wacky wildness, and for me that was a huge part of his appeal as well as his visual and humour uniqueness.
However, 'Screwball Football' is still a worthwhile cartoon. It is no surprise that, as with a vast majority of Avery's cartoons regardless of the period, the animation is excellent. Beautifully drawn, very detailed and the colours are vibrant. Not to mention some clever kinetic character animation. Carl Stalling's music score is typically lushly and cleverly orchestrated, with lively and energetic rhythms, it's also beautifully synchronised with the action and gestures/expressions and even enhances the impact. Especially in the second half.
One is hardly short changed when it comes to the gags and none of them misfire really. They are not hilarious or imaginative, but they are amusing and mostly times well (just needed more wackiness). The action is lively and beautifully and cleverly animated and the characters have personality and brought exuberantly to life by primarily voice acting god Mel Blanc.
In summary, good fun and well done if tame. 7/10.
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