Fox Pop

It is always interesting to see Warner Brothers cartoons featuring characters that are not the classic ones we know and love and are iconic in animation history.

'Fox Pop' is a little gem and deserving of more recognition. Chuck Jones is a favourite and while 'Fox Pop' is not quite one of his masterpieces but it is still wonderful, one of his better cartoons not to feature any of the iconic Looney Tunes characters and one of his most under-appreciated. The story is slight, but has a dark, mature tone dealt with intelligently. The humour is mild and sporadic, but this turned out to be a good choice considering the subject matter.

The cartoon couldn't have started and ended more perfectly, the fox's big error and jumping to conclusions is beautifully done and has a message of how conclusion jumping has consequences that makes its point without resorting to preaching and the escape is memorable.

On a visual level, 'Fox Pop' is beautifully animated, being colourful and inventively detailed with smooth and fluid character designs. Carl Stalling's music is lushly and cleverly orchestrated, with lively and energetic rhythms and fits very well indeed. Stalling always had an unequalled knack for not only having music that adds to the action but enhances it, that's the case here.

Even in slightly subdued form, Jones' style is still distinctive and can be found. The fox character is a relatable lead character and Mel Blanc's vocal characterisations are as ever definitively exuberant. Robert C Bruce and Tedd Pierce also excel.

In conclusion, a little under-appreciated gem. 10/10 Bethany Cox