User reviews

. . . shows the inherent dangers posed by Big Credit. CLASH AND CARRY documents how a brazen miscreant can bamboozle careless store managers into proffering shaky lines of credit on the flimsiest of grounds, as the mercenary impulse to meet periodic sales quotas outweighs any semblance of sound judgment and cautious reasoning. The fish marketeer here is so eager to accommodate a cashless customer that the latter bad actor is able to make substantial purchases using the store's own cardboard advertising cutouts! Aping a compulsive gambler convinced a "hot streak" will never end, the money-mad manager puts his business' very future in grave jeopardy by going into debt to facilitate tons of bad-faith purchases for which payment will never come.

. . . more than doubles the price that honest patriotic working stiffs must fork over to pay for essentials such as bread, deodorant and brassieres. Were it not for the legions of brazen Five-Finger Freddy's, milk would set us back about fifty cents a gallon, and eggs would sell for a nickel apiece, experts contend. Sadly, supermarket grazers, bodega nibblers and convenience store samplers often contaminate large cases of food and drinks, cracking open a one liter decanter for a swig of tequila, or tearing open the five-pound box of Lady Godiva for a single truffle. As it's difficult if not impossible to cram toothpaste back into its tubing, retail establishments detecting tampering must throw the baby out with the rinse water. Chilly Willy epitomizes all that's wrong with Modern America in CLASH AND CARRY.

Chilly Willy's best cartoons were perfect examples of how a potentially one-joke character and concept could end up actually being a perfect mix of the cute and the funny with a lot of colour and good comic timing to go with it.

Notable for the first appearance in a Chilly Willy cartoon of Wally Walrus, better known as one of Woody Woodpecker's opponents, 'Clash and Carry' is one of the stronger Chilly Willy cartoons of the 60s. That it is directed by Jack Hannah may have something to do with it, and Hannah does wonders with the limited budgets and time constraints. Wally is a great opponent for Chilly, and unlike other cartoons not featuring Smedley one does not miss Smedley too much. Wally brings everything to 'Clash and Carry' to what worked so well with him and Woody Woodpecker.

Even if minimal and limited budget-wise, the animation is bright, colourful and has more detail and imagination than most of the Chilly Willy cartoons from this period. The music is full of lively bounce and character, with luscious orchestration. It not only adds to the action and visuals but enhances them too.

Every single one of the gags do amuse and beautifully timed. The chemistry between Chilly and Wally sparkles, and it is always remarkable at what Chilly has up his sleeve and how he does it. Underneath all that irresistible cuteness he is one clever, funny and at times fairly brutal penguin.

Chilly is adorable and is also a lot of fun, with his actions speaking far louder than words, even having gestures, movements and actions reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin. He may be a nuisance to his opponents but he wins the viewer over with his cuteness and timing.

Paul Frees provides some characteristically solid voice work for Wally.

In conclusion, great and a lot better than a lot of Chilly Willy cartoons that followed. 9/10 Bethany Cox