Bosko's Dog Race (1932) User Reviews

No, this isn't the type of race you are probably assuming it is.

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 12 May 2021]

When I saw this title, I naturally assumed that it would involve Bosko and a dog (probably Bruno) on a sled dog race. Well, that is NOT the case here at all. After spending time out hunting and chasing squirrels with Bruno, Bosko decides to enter him in a Whippet race...even though Bruno is just some mutt. And, when the race begins, Bruno is slowest and soon is distracted by more squirrels.....so what's next?

While the cartoon DOES start with Bosko singing (oh, good grief does this singing suck), it fortunately doesn't get too sticky sweet....and that's how this one manages to earn a 5. It's not great...but is easier to take than the cuter ones!

Bosko, Bruno and the dog race

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 8 June 2017]

The Bosko cartoons may not be animation masterpieces, but they are fascinating as examples of Looney Tunes in their early days before the creation of more compelling characters and funnier and more creative cartoons. There are some good cartoons, as well as some average or less ones.

'Bosko's Dog Race' is hit and miss but enjoyable, a common standard of the Bosko cartoons. It has been well established by now that the Bosko cartoons should not be seen for their stories, which was never a strong suit (quite the opposite), and the story here is very thin and predictable. It is agreed too that the cartoon drags a little in the middle, where the training is not that interesting and not always imaginative and one would expect the race to have a little more consistent oomph than what was had here.

While he is decent and fun enough, Bosko is sort of limited as a character. His dog is a much funnier and more interesting character, as well as being more endearing.

As always, however, the animation is good. Not exactly refined but fluid and crisp enough with some nice detail, it is especially good in the meticulous backgrounds and some remarkably flexible yet natural movements for Bosko. The music doesn't disappoint either, its infectious energy, rousing merriment, lush orchestration and how well it fits with the animation is just a joy.

Sound quality has clarity and the synchronisation isn't sloppy and has imagination. The way Bosko is animated is well done and remarkably natural. The gags are mostly very nicely done.

In conclusion, a good cartoon. 7/10 Bethany Cox

As its title would suggest to any True Warnologist . . .

[oscaralbert · 7/10 · 10 January 2017]

. . . (those of us who make a study of the Warnings Warner Bros' Animated Shorts Seers division of Looney Tuners aimed mostly at We Americans of the 21st Century Far Future providing advance inklings of our upcoming Calamities, Catastrophes, Cataclysms, and Apocalypti, as more or less explained by cartoon director Chuck Jones in one of his many archival interviews), BOSKO'S DOG RACE is about a lot more than scampering mutts. Assigned race #13, Bosko's pet Bruno surely represents new American Strongman\Red Commie KGB boss Vlad "Mad Dog" Putin's puppet, White House Resident-Elect Rump. The sickly-looking "favorite" in this $5,000 (or about 1.3 Rump Net Worths, adjusted for inflation) whippet race is drawn to mightily resemble Hillary. Though this Hillary B-word (well, that's what they call female canines, isn't it?) leads until being nipped by Rump\Bruno at the tape, the latter is prodded on to victory by an Evil Mastermind Rodent (the Putin squirrel here), who throws a swarm of livid hornets into the mix of this Rigged Race (or election). So if you missed the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election Campaign, seeing BOSKO'S DOG RACE will tell you all you need to know.

Starts well and ends well, though it drags in the middle

[llltdesq · 7/10 · 30 September 2006]

This is a reasonably decent short, not the best of the series, but funny in spots. There will be minor spoilers:

This short begins with Bosko cooking an egg over an open fire, while singing. He regularly flips the egg into the air, drawing it to the attention of a squirrel, which then eats Bosko's meal. Bosko pulls a shotgun from off-screen and starts after the squirrel (leaving the campfire burning).

While chasing the squirrel, he and Bruno see an ad for a dog race, with a prize of $5,000 and Bosko tells Bruno he's going to enter and win. Bruno seems doubtful and is markedly unenthusiastic at his prospects.

From this point on, until Bruno spots the squirrel again, the short drags a bit. Watching Bruno "train" is kind of dull, as is most of the race. Only when Bruno sees the squirrel again does the cartoon show much life or energy. Bruno excitedly chases the squirrel, only to have the squirrel drop a beehive on him. The rest of the short shows Bruno running from angry insects.

The ending is fairly nice and overall, the short is a reasonably enjoyable one. I hope it eventually makes it onto a future Looney Tunes Golden Collection. Well worth watching, at least once, anyway.