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.
'A Mad House' is easily among the best 1934 Terrytoons. Would go as far to say it's among the stronger Terrytoons cartoons in general. Not amazing, but really quite good (something that is not said an awful lot with Terrytoons, though a good deal of them are watchable) with one of their most inventive ideas handled well. Watched it as part of a Terrytoons watching quest, 'A Mad House' is one of those that has much more to it than for completest sake only.
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. For Terrytoons, 'A Mad House' is generally one of their best-looking cartoons, the backgrounds have nearly always been well done at this point and they show signs of detail and ambition here, among their most elaborate ever in fact.
It never feels forced in its charm, the gags are plentiful and all are amusing and well-timed (again something that is not said for a lot of the Terrytoons) and the atmosphere is effectively spooky with lively pacing and fun kooky characters.
At times though, the drawing is on the crude side, though nowhere near as badly as other Terrytoons.
Despite the inventive concept, the cartoon doesn't quite shake off the story slightness and the sense that it needed a minute or two longer.
Summing up, good. 7/10 Bethany Cox