Wet Blanket Policy

This short carries the distinction of being the only animated short that had a song credit for Best Song at the Academy Awards, a feat most unlikely to ever be duplicated. Otherwise, it is a decent enough, but unmemorable short. Entertaining, but not that special in and of itself. It's on the 1982 MCA compilation tape, Woody Woodpecker and His Friends, which is worth grabbing if you ever run across a copy. This is worth a look-a good cartoon, just nothing special about it but the theme song.

While I've watched a lot of Woody Woodpecker cartunes (that's the way it's spelled in this and other animated shorts produced by Walter Lantz) as a child growing up in the late '70s and early '80s, this was my first viewing of this particular one. I've only watched it now on YouTube because this is the one with that famous theme song that got an Oscar nomination, the only time a song from a short-as opposed to a feature-got such a nod. This also marked the debut of a new nemesis for Woody-Buzz Buzzard who I just found out was initially voiced by Lionel Stander. Anyway, Buzz ropes Woody into his insurance office and coerces him to sign a policy. Lots of funny violent gags abound. So on that note, I say give Wet Blanket Policy a chance.

Woody is bullied into signing an insurance policy, making Buzz Buzzard the beneficiary should he meet his demise. Once that happens, Buzz creates a series of dangerous events designed to kill Woody. Woody is his usual flamboyant self as he escapes time and again. Quite violent but entertaining.

Was very fond of Woody Woodpecker and his cartoons as a child. Still get much enjoyment out of them now as a young adult, even if there are more interesting in personality cartoon characters and better overall cartoons.

That is in no way knocking Woody, because many of his cartoons are a lot of fun to watch and more and also still like him a lot as a character. It is agreed that 'Wet Blanket Policy' is not one of Woody's best, there are funnier cartoons that have much more of the memorability factor. There is a lot to like and it's entertaining, but 'Wet Blanket Policy' doesn't quite have enough to distinguish itself from the rest.

Its most notable asset is the use of the theme song, which is incredibly catchy, and its credit at the Academy Awards, which is historically significant and still unique. Where 'Wet Blanket Policy' fares least is the story, which is not much new and doesn't have the sharpness and momentum of other Woody cartoons.

Buzz and Woody work well enough, but Buzz is not as strong a foil as Wally Walrus with not as interesting a personality and his material not as funny, and Woody works better with Wally, their interplay is more inspired and the personality contrasts more contrasting.

While there are more interesting characters, Woody is an amusing character and never too obnoxious.

As ever, the animation is great. The characters are well drawn, but even better are the rich colours, meticulously detailed backgrounds and smooth backgrounds.

Music is another strength here. It's characterful, lushly orchestrated and is not only dynamic with the action it even enhances it. The dialogue and gags are well timed and amusing, if never quite hilarious (even when the tables are turned, which is funny but easily foreseeable). Entertaining but the humour has been funnier and less formulaic before.

Overall, enjoyable but Woody has done better. 7/10 Bethany Cox