Speedy Gonzales

Despite the title, this is Speedy Gonzales' SECOND appearance, after Robert McKimson's Cat-Tails for Two. This is, however, his first time in the costume and design we know him from. In this short, after another mouse gets done for in trying to get cheese past the guard-Sylvester, Speedy accepts the challenge. The red-nosed cat is ready for the "fastest mouse in all Mexico" but gets defeated at every turn. This Oscar-winning cartoon from Friz Freleng gives us another classic Warner Bros. character that lasts for decades despite some PC controversy that almost got Speedy gone for good. Turns out many Hispanics consider Mr. Gonzales a hero for his exploits and don't find anything offensive about him. I certainly don't and I never understood why anyone would either. Anyway, while I don't consider this a great cartoon, it's certainly another highly enjoyable outing from Mr. Freleng.

Don't take my title the wrong way, I don't hate Speedy Gonzales(the fastest mouse in all Mexico, as we now know him today), far from it, but his cartoons have been hit and miss. Some have been surprisingly good and funny, but others suffer from lacklustre, rushed animation and from being predictable. Speedy Gonzales is actually one of the better Speedy cartoons, actually worth watching. The animation is not too bad here, not absolutely brilliant but it is one of the better-looking Speedy cartoons. The music is nice too, as are the visual gags and dialogue. The story is simple but decently-structured, Speedy is funny and tolerable and Sylvester is a worthy foil(better at it than Daffy I'd say). These characters are all brought to life by the unique vocal talents of Mel Blanc, who does brilliantly as always. Overall, definitely worth seeing. 9/10 Bethany Cox

This is probably one of the best Speedy Gonzales cartoons. While I strongly agree with another reviewer who said they "hated Speedy Gonzales" and he was "overrated", I must admit this was a pretty good cartoon. It was a lot of fun watching Sylvester get tortured throughout the film by Speedy as he ran back and forth grabbing goodies for his starving mouse friends. I think, though, that apart from a few early Speedy cartoons, they were definitely a few notches below the other Loony Toons cartoons. In fact, in the 1960s, they inexplicably paired Speedy with Daffy Duck to produce what were probably the worst Warner cartoons since the mid-1930s. Watch and enjoy this film--just be forewarned about other Speedy pictures.

Speedy Gonzales is another one of my favorite Looney Tunes characters, along with Bugs Bunny, Pepe le Pew, Tweety, and the lesser-known Hubie and Bertie. This award-winning short is one of my favorites out of Speedy's filmography. Just because I gave it a 9 out of 10 rating doesn't mean it can still be a favorite. This short marks Speedy's second screen appearance, following his debut in a 1953 Bob McKimson cartoon titled "Cat-Tails for Two." But of course, he didn't look the way we know him now.

The sight of Sylvester defending the cheese factory while on all fours amuses me greatly. I also love the pseudo-Spanish conversation between Speedy and the mouse villager.

Everyone knows that rodents are very quick. When is the last time that you were able to imprison a mouse, mole, rat or vole in you bare hand, let alone a chipmunk or squirrel? Cats are not much more proficient in corralling mice and rats than the average human being. Most mammals the overrated feline phalanx of so-called "mousers" actually bring down dead to rights already have a paw or three in their grave. Unfortunately for Humanity, most cats insist upon dragging these questionable kills back home with them. Bubonic Plague and most other major maladies of History have resulted from such unsanitary habits. That's why it is a good thing that SPEEDY GONZALES demonstrates exactly why cats are NOT a "better mousetrap."