'The Inspector' "Le Bowser Bagger" (1967)
Opening thoughts: 'Le Bowser Bagger' is the seventeenth The Inspector cartoon, so halfway through the series now, and in my view it's in the better half of it and one of the good The Inspector cartoons. Again Deux Deux does not appear, and being someone who enjoys the well contrasted chemistry between him and The Inspector he is missed a little. Luckily Private Bowser is a strong and amusing enough character, and another nice contrast, so the absence is not massively deeply felt. 'Le Bowser Bagger' is notable too for being the first cartoon where Marvin Miller, replacing Paul Frees and previously heard in the series as Pig-Al in 'Le Pig-Al Patrol', voiced the Commissioner.
Bad things: It is fairly predictable on a story level, not uncommon for The Inspector series which always was on the formulaic side, a formula that was not a fresh one by now. It has been said already that 'Le Bowser Bagger' is a noisy cartoon, the noisiest of The Inspector cartoons of the series and one of the noisiest overall.
And at times for my liking (though it may be down to me having a sensitivity to loud noises, especially sudden ones) it was a little too noisy. It could have done with more imagination and energy at times too.
Good things: On the other side of the argument, the animation is fine and unmistakably distinctive DePatie-Freleng in style. Simple but always attractive, with nice attention to detail and especially striking were the rich colours. Liked the jauntiness and jazzy slinkiness of the music, which didn't sound too cheap or repetitive.
There is hardly a shortage of gags, and they're timed well and while not always imaginative are still funny. The chemistry between The Inspector and Private Bowser is entertaining and The Inspector himself is a big part of the series' appeal and it's the same here. The Inspector has always been a more than fun character and makes bumblings and mumblings, that can have the potential to irritate, entertaining and like an art form. Private Bowser is a good contrast. The verbal humour has enough wit and the word play nicely ironic. Great because they are what make the series work in terms of the writing. Pat Harrington Jr does a great job as The Inspector and Miller gives a good account of himself as the Commissioner, though do prefer Frees.
Closing thoughts: All in all, good fun.
7/10.
Opening thoughts: 'Le Bowser Bagger' is the seventeenth The Inspector cartoon, so halfway through the series now, and in my view it's in the better half of it and one of the good The Inspector cartoons. Again Deux Deux does not appear, and being someone who enjoys the well contrasted chemistry between him and The Inspector he is missed a little. Luckily Private Bowser is a strong and amusing enough character, and another nice contrast, so the absence is not massively deeply felt. 'Le Bowser Bagger' is notable too for being the first cartoon where Marvin Miller, replacing Paul Frees and previously heard in the series as Pig-Al in 'Le Pig-Al Patrol', voiced the Commissioner.
Bad things: It is fairly predictable on a story level, not uncommon for The Inspector series which always was on the formulaic side, a formula that was not a fresh one by now. It has been said already that 'Le Bowser Bagger' is a noisy cartoon, the noisiest of The Inspector cartoons of the series and one of the noisiest overall.
And at times for my liking (though it may be down to me having a sensitivity to loud noises, especially sudden ones) it was a little too noisy. It could have done with more imagination and energy at times too.
Good things: On the other side of the argument, the animation is fine and unmistakably distinctive DePatie-Freleng in style. Simple but always attractive, with nice attention to detail and especially striking were the rich colours. Liked the jauntiness and jazzy slinkiness of the music, which didn't sound too cheap or repetitive.
There is hardly a shortage of gags, and they're timed well and while not always imaginative are still funny. The chemistry between The Inspector and Private Bowser is entertaining and The Inspector himself is a big part of the series' appeal and it's the same here. The Inspector has always been a more than fun character and makes bumblings and mumblings, that can have the potential to irritate, entertaining and like an art form. Private Bowser is a good contrast. The verbal humour has enough wit and the word play nicely ironic. Great because they are what make the series work in terms of the writing. Pat Harrington Jr does a great job as The Inspector and Miller gives a good account of himself as the Commissioner, though do prefer Frees.
Closing thoughts: All in all, good fun.
7/10.