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.
Most of Woody's previous efforts were good to classic. Sadly 'Private Eye Pooch', part of a period where the Woody Woodpecker cartoons and Lantz studios in general declined, is not one of them. Watchable, but very average and pretty bland. The best things about 'Private Eye Pooch' are the music and Woody. The music, courtesy of Clarence Wheeler, characterful, lushly orchestrated and is not only dynamic with the action it even enhances it.
As for Woody, the writers clearly understood that Woody works best as a fun-loving pest and there are shades of his manic persona that was starting to get toned down. A few nice colours here and there and a couple of moments raise a smile. Grace Stafford does a good job as Woody.
However, the dog character is neither a funny or interesting partner for Woody, bland for my tastes actually. The chemistry between the two just never gels and for all Woody's efforts feels too subdued.
Despite having moments, the animation and gags are a long way from how they fared in previous cartoons. Apart from some nice colours, most of the animation is rushed-looking and ugly with attention to detail scattershot. Most of the gags are barely amusing, let alone hilarious, let down by very limp timing and that the gags themselves are as stale as out of date bread.
One doesn't see Woody Woodpecker cartoons for their stories, the one here has no energy or surprises, best forgotten. Paul J. Smith can be competent, not all his cartoons are awful (the worst of them, of which 'Private Eye Pooch' is actually a long way from being, are) but there is no spark to be found here.
Instead, much of 'Private Eye Pooch' feels dull and lazy but it has moments. 5/10 Bethany Cox
