Many of Bob Clampett's cartoons are superbly made, inventive, extremely funny and his style always shines through. Porky is always watchable and Sylvester is one of the funniest and most interesting Looney Tunes character. So 'Kitty Kornered' has much going for it.
Clampett's style certainly shines through in 'Kitty Kornered', not just in the storytelling and gags but also the visual style. It is one of his wildest and wackiest, and also one of his most visually imaginative. The animation is really wonderful here, with several eye-popping and inventively exaggerated moments. It's also very colourful and beautifully detailed.
'Kitty Kornered' features yet another music score from Carl Stalling, which as always is fabulous and reinforces why he is my, and many others, personal favourite regular Looney Tunes composers. Stalling always made a great cartoon even better with his music scores, with its lush and lively orchestration, high energy and character and action-enhancing synchronisation.
The gags, which are many and come by thick and fast, also hit their mark, they are never less than very funny and a vast majority of the time are hilarious. The goldfish gag is a classic, and one will love the references to 'Arsenic and Old Lace', 'Lassie' and 'War of the Worlds' (this reviewer will respectfully disagree about it feeling tacked on). The dialogue has the usual razor sharp Looney Tunes wit, especially with Sylvester though Porky's dialogue is funnier than usual as well. The cartoon is frenetically paced, but never feels rushed or over-the-top.
Porky is always likable and watchable, he can be a little bland when a lead or pitched against characters with stronger personalities but he is far from that here. Even better is Sylvester (looking different than he would become later), who is often a riot and even when evolving his characteristic personality shines constantly. The other cats are fun too, especially Tiny, if not as memorable as Porky and Sylvester. Mel Blanc excels brilliantly as always in multiple roles.
All in all, wonderful cartoon and a Clampett classic. 10/10 Bethany Cox
