1948 was a pretty decent year for Terrytoons Studios. Namely because it was heavy in the Heckle and Jeckle cartoons, which were all very well executed that year and because there were this time no misfires in the Mighty Mouse series that alternated. In fact, the weakest cartoons actually were ones that didn't feature any recurring lead/supporting character (the weakest of the batch being the only misfire that year 'The Wooden Indian').
'The Racket Buster' gets my vote as the best of the Mighty Mouse cartoons from that year. Was expecting something completely formulaic, all the other 1948 Mighty Mouse cartoons are, either being another riff on either of the "Mighty Mouse saving mice from cat trouble at practically last minute" or "operetta-style melodrama with Pearl Pureheart and Oil Can Harry" plots here. 'The Racket Buster' manages to actually not be entirely formulaic, structurally it's familiar but somehow it feels fresher than the other 1948 Mighty Mouse cartoons.
It's far from a flawless cartoon. The story is paper thin, of a 6 minute cartoon there is only about 2 and a half minutes worth that's stretched out. With the climax making up like over one third of the cartoon, and it is a climax that feels a minute too long and there is absolutely no doubt from the start how it is all going to end (ending pretty much exactly as expected). The cats thinking that their method of getting rid of Mighty Mouse would be effective is perhaps not easy to swallow.
While it is great that Mighty Mouse has more screen time than is seen in a lot of his cartoons, his role is pretty limited here (literally getting into a perilous scrape and rushing to the rescue in the nick of time).
As said though, it is great that he feels a little more like a lead here in 'The Racket Buster', he actually feels necessary to the story and his resourcefulness and bravery is ever admirable. Pearl's role is also quite one-dimensional but she is very charming and alluring as always. The most interesting characters are the cats, making a big impression in their truly sinister introduction, especially the one caricaturing the great Edward G. Robinson.
Expectedly, 'The Racket Buster' is very well animated, then again one doesn't in all fairness expect much less for Terrytoons at this stage. It is nicely detailed, lively and colourful without being garish and is really quite sumptuous, along with some nice details like the synchronised movements of the cat creeping about when introduced and the way the getaway is staged. Again, the music is a big strength, being again quite incredible. It is beautifully and cleverly orchestrated and arranged, is terrific fun to listen to and the lively energy is present throughout, doing so well with adding to the action.
Really enjoyed the cat characters on the whole, they are amusing and menacing. The main villain is great and the cartoon's most interesting character. The cartoon is not devoid of gags and they aren't as corny or as tired as they can be in the Mighty Mouse cartoons, at its best when going into the final third and Mighty Mouse's ways of outsmarting the villains. Most of 'The Racket Buster' has a good deal of energy, before beginning to drag later.
Overall, pretty decent and the best of the 1948 Mighty Mouse efforts. 7/10.
'The Racket Buster' gets my vote as the best of the Mighty Mouse cartoons from that year. Was expecting something completely formulaic, all the other 1948 Mighty Mouse cartoons are, either being another riff on either of the "Mighty Mouse saving mice from cat trouble at practically last minute" or "operetta-style melodrama with Pearl Pureheart and Oil Can Harry" plots here. 'The Racket Buster' manages to actually not be entirely formulaic, structurally it's familiar but somehow it feels fresher than the other 1948 Mighty Mouse cartoons.
It's far from a flawless cartoon. The story is paper thin, of a 6 minute cartoon there is only about 2 and a half minutes worth that's stretched out. With the climax making up like over one third of the cartoon, and it is a climax that feels a minute too long and there is absolutely no doubt from the start how it is all going to end (ending pretty much exactly as expected). The cats thinking that their method of getting rid of Mighty Mouse would be effective is perhaps not easy to swallow.
While it is great that Mighty Mouse has more screen time than is seen in a lot of his cartoons, his role is pretty limited here (literally getting into a perilous scrape and rushing to the rescue in the nick of time).
As said though, it is great that he feels a little more like a lead here in 'The Racket Buster', he actually feels necessary to the story and his resourcefulness and bravery is ever admirable. Pearl's role is also quite one-dimensional but she is very charming and alluring as always. The most interesting characters are the cats, making a big impression in their truly sinister introduction, especially the one caricaturing the great Edward G. Robinson.
Expectedly, 'The Racket Buster' is very well animated, then again one doesn't in all fairness expect much less for Terrytoons at this stage. It is nicely detailed, lively and colourful without being garish and is really quite sumptuous, along with some nice details like the synchronised movements of the cat creeping about when introduced and the way the getaway is staged. Again, the music is a big strength, being again quite incredible. It is beautifully and cleverly orchestrated and arranged, is terrific fun to listen to and the lively energy is present throughout, doing so well with adding to the action.
Really enjoyed the cat characters on the whole, they are amusing and menacing. The main villain is great and the cartoon's most interesting character. The cartoon is not devoid of gags and they aren't as corny or as tired as they can be in the Mighty Mouse cartoons, at its best when going into the final third and Mighty Mouse's ways of outsmarting the villains. Most of 'The Racket Buster' has a good deal of energy, before beginning to drag later.
Overall, pretty decent and the best of the 1948 Mighty Mouse efforts. 7/10.
