Porky Pig, while with a tendency to be overshadowed by funnier and more interesting adversaries or supporting characters, is still a likable and amusing character. 'Porky and Teabiscuit' is not one of his best cartoons but is decent enough and passes the time amiably.
The second half is better than the first half. The second half is dominated by the race, which is where 'Porky and Teabiscuit' really does come to life, with the wildness, insane looniness, imagination and razor-sharp wit one expects from Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies being hugely entertaining and thrilling. The first half is less good, the draggy pacing doesn't have the lustre as seen later on and it does try a little too hard to be cute and it feels a little mawkish. Porky is likable enough if also a bit bland.
Animation on the other hand is great. The black and white colours are lovingly done, the drawing is fluid and smooth and the backgrounds have some very nice detail. The music score by Carl Stalling is bursting with lively character, beautiful orchestration, clever instrumentation and an unmatched ability to enhance the action and elevate material to a greater level.
While stronger in the second half, 'Porky and Teabiscuit' is fun and witty enough and Mel Blanc as ever does a fantastic job with the voice work in multiple roles, all given completely different identities and voices from one another.
On the whole, not one of my favourites and somewhat uneven but still worth watching. 7/10 Bethany Cox
