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.
Also have much admiration for Tex Avery, an animation genius whose best cartoons are animated masterpieces and some of the best he ever did. While not one of the best Porky Pig cartoons and Avery himself went on to better things once he properly found his immediately distinctive visual and humour style we know and love him for, 'Porky's Preview' is a very nicely done and interesting cartoon. Do agree that 'Porky's Preview' is not generally a laugh-out-loud funny cartoon, and rarely is it hilarious. Both Porky and Avery has done funnier, this is a little on the bland side for both.
That is not to say that 'Porky's Preview' is completely laughter-free because that's not the case. The bit with the skunk is the funniest moment and is actually very funny indeed. Also though the Mexican hat dance was quite cool. There is not much to the story here, mainly it's an episodic series of vignettes with some better than others.
On the other hand, the animation is very good with a lot of great attention to detail and fluid crispness. Standing out the most in this regard is the character designs, they are very creative and are unlike many other cartoons from back then.
Carl Stalling's music is lush, energetic and characterful (sometimes wonderfully weird, which suited the cartoon well), with clever orchestration and a mastery of not just adding to the action but enhancing it as well (Stalling was a near-unequalled master at this, though Scott Bradley gave him a run for his money).
As said, the skunk part is very funny, though generally 'Porky's Preview' would have been even better than it turned out to be with more humour. The pace is lively and even though it became more refined, inventive and wilder later Avery's directing has moments of imagination (mostly visually). The characters are fun and Porky is his amiable self.
Mel Blanc shows once again his unrivalled versatility in voicing multiple roles (including Porky Pig, taking over from Joe Dougherty and providing the more famous voice that is far more appealing than Dougherty's whose Porky voice didn't quite do it for me) and giving individuality and variety to each.
In summary, very nicely done if also a bit bland. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Also have much admiration for Tex Avery, an animation genius whose best cartoons are animated masterpieces and some of the best he ever did. While not one of the best Porky Pig cartoons and Avery himself went on to better things once he properly found his immediately distinctive visual and humour style we know and love him for, 'Porky's Preview' is a very nicely done and interesting cartoon. Do agree that 'Porky's Preview' is not generally a laugh-out-loud funny cartoon, and rarely is it hilarious. Both Porky and Avery has done funnier, this is a little on the bland side for both.
That is not to say that 'Porky's Preview' is completely laughter-free because that's not the case. The bit with the skunk is the funniest moment and is actually very funny indeed. Also though the Mexican hat dance was quite cool. There is not much to the story here, mainly it's an episodic series of vignettes with some better than others.
On the other hand, the animation is very good with a lot of great attention to detail and fluid crispness. Standing out the most in this regard is the character designs, they are very creative and are unlike many other cartoons from back then.
Carl Stalling's music is lush, energetic and characterful (sometimes wonderfully weird, which suited the cartoon well), with clever orchestration and a mastery of not just adding to the action but enhancing it as well (Stalling was a near-unequalled master at this, though Scott Bradley gave him a run for his money).
As said, the skunk part is very funny, though generally 'Porky's Preview' would have been even better than it turned out to be with more humour. The pace is lively and even though it became more refined, inventive and wilder later Avery's directing has moments of imagination (mostly visually). The characters are fun and Porky is his amiable self.
Mel Blanc shows once again his unrivalled versatility in voicing multiple roles (including Porky Pig, taking over from Joe Dougherty and providing the more famous voice that is far more appealing than Dougherty's whose Porky voice didn't quite do it for me) and giving individuality and variety to each.
In summary, very nicely done if also a bit bland. 8/10 Bethany Cox