Half Baked Alaska

. . . children, or anyone else younger than 78. Back in the 1900's, there was a dessert called "Baked Alaska." This menu item was considered the biggest practical joke in the restaurant industry. Every region put its own spin on this not-so-funny prank, trying to gross out the neighboring sectors of the Globe. The rules for this abusive practice were simple: Who could pair the most outlandish item with ice cream? In Sicily, for instance, they coupled their g-e-l-a-t-o with a cold gruesome fish head. Italy tried to take this a step further, by filling an old boot with the cold confection. While New Orleans dished out vanilla in veal cutlets, Savannah smothered Spam with strawberry ice cream. If you're not reading for the Butter Pecan Butterball Challenge, better skip HALF BAKED ALASKA.

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.

'Half Baked Alaska' is one of the highest rated Chilly Willy cartoons here and is one of Chilly's most famous cartoons. One can see why totally, because 'Half Baked Alaska' is the best Sid Marcus-directed Chilly Willy cartoon and not only the best Chilly Willy cartoon since 'Mackerel Moocher' (a Jack Hannah effort) but also one of his best overall. 'Half Baked Alaska' is let down only by the animation occasionally being on the rushed side (although it is the best looking Marcus-directed Chilly Willy cartoon) and some may be put off by Chilly's selfishness somewhat (a big emphasis on may, because it wasn't a problem for me).

However, the colours are bright and colourful and the backgrounds very simple but handsome enough. One just wishes that the drawing was better. Walter Greene's music is lively and rousingly, cleverly and beautifully orchestrated and fits very well, if not quite enhancing the action, the Hawaiian music use was a very nice touch. Have forgotten to mention how great the opening title credits music scoring is.

All the gags are rarely less than amusing and beautifully timed, especially with Smedley and the lumberjack (the lumberjack has the best line regarding the hot cakes). A classic example of how to give what is essentially a repeated gag variety and make it funny. The chemistry between Chilly and Smedley 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, though he does a few short words and noises here. He may be a nuisance to his opponents but he wins the viewer over with his cuteness and timing. Smedley shows perfectly why he and Chilly Willy work so well together, the more butter/syrup scene was cute and so was the ending. The latter of which was the turning point for Chilly's behaviour towards Smedley, and although quick it was instantly buyable considering what was happening to Smedley at this point.

One can really relate to Chilly struggling to get a job, which does see a few amusing moments in the various jobs he tries out, the funniest being the photographer one. Though Smedley (who is also very stingy when it comes to prices) has a good point about not being able to run a business on handouts. Also noticed that when throwing Chilly out that there was no malice in his action, it was a case of "sorry but rules are rules".

Daws Butler (in his characteristic and distinctive Huckleberry Hound southern drawl) does a marvellous job as ever. Chilly Willy actually sounds like Grace Stafford.

In summation, great cartoon and one of Chilly Willy's best. 9/10 Bethany Cox