A good deal of the pre-Production Code Betty Boop cartoons are daring and creative, with content that makes one amazed at what's gotten away with. While the later Betty Boop cartoons made after the Code was enforced are still watchable and exceptionally well-made, they are so toned down that they feel bland.
Fleischer were responsible for some brilliant cartoons, some of them still among my favourites. Their visual style was often stunning and some of the most imaginative and ahead of its time in animation. The character of Betty Boop, one of their most famous and prolific characters, may not be for all tastes and sadly not as popular now, but her sex appeal was quite daring for the time and to me there is an adorable sensual charm about her.
While a long way from top-tier Betty Boop, 'Musical Mountaineers' is nice enough and not bad at all for late Betty Boop.
It does have a somewhat dull and predictable first half that feels more like set-up. The cartoon is light in plot, not a rare occurrence though for Betty Boop, and the first half is fairly laughter-and-creativity-free. Betty does look different here, was used to her being taller and de-sexed but here she also looks like she went on a diet or something.
Anybody yearning for the risqué and surreal edge will have to look towards another Betty Boop cartoon, 'Musical Mountaineers' doesn't have that.
However, things do pick up significantly in a much more action-and-fun-packed second half, with great music, singing and dancing.
The animation in 'Musical Mountaineers' is as to be expected extremely good, being beautifully drawn, crisply shaded and meticulous in detail. The music is infectious, lush and dynamic. It's a cute cartoon and not too saccharine, and the second half has a lot of creativity and imagination.
Betty is cute, charming and very likable with good timing. The hillbillies are entertaining enough and the voice acting is solid.
Overall, doesn't start off great but really picks up. 6/10 Bethany Cox
