Now a fairly obscure character, Buddy was the second Warner Brothers Looney Tunes character, after Bosko and followed by Beans the Cat. Buddy didn't last long, being retired in 1935 after 23 cartoons starting in 1933.

While still not a "great" cartoon, let alone one of the best there is, 'Buddy the Gob' is one of the better Buddy cartoons. Being somebody who was not that enamoured with the previous three cartoons, well 'Buddy's Beer Garden' was decent but, particularly 'Buddy's Show Boat', the other two were average or less, 'Buddy the Gob' was a nice surprise. Fritz Freleng's (very early on in his career) involvement helps quite a bit in this cartoon though, what wasn't so good before comes over better here.

It has to be said that there is more plot certainly here than there was in the previous three cartoons. Especially when the conflict is introduced. There is also much more energy, especially in the second half. It also has to be said that the story doesn't get going straight away with the first half being basically set-up, and that it's pretty predictable and not that much different from most "save a character from dastardly villains" cartoons.

'Buddy the Gob' has more gags than before and it is funnier, thanks to great timing and some visual invention. It is never hilarious though and some of the gags have aged better than others, the procession, the Jimmy Durante caricature, the steps made of the spear and the fun and tense climax stand out but some are not that memorable or funny (there is not much imaginative about the attempts to escape) and the very end was fairly pointless.

However, there are a lot of good things. The animation is nicely drawn and detailed. Music played a big part in the Buddy cartoons and it was essential for it to work. Luckily it has the liveliness and energy, as well as the lush and vibrant orchestration.

As said, some of the gags are fun and the story's conflict is entertaining and has some good tension. There is much more energy here, no issues really with pacing here, and the timing of the gags more adept.

While not an interesting character, Buddy is much more compelling than before and his heroic side here is endearing. The other characters fare well in a competent sort of way. The voice work is solid.

In summary, very much a decent Buddy cartoon and one of the better ones. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Animation is a form of visual storytelling that involves creating visual art and motion through the use of various techniques and technologies. In animation, images are manipulated to create the illusion of movement, bringing characters, objects, and environments to life. Animation can encompass a wide range of styles, themes, and intended audiences, making it a diverse and versatile form of storytelling.

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The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

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The family genre features stories specifically created to be suitable for a wide range of age groups within a family. Family-oriented content is designed to be enjoyed by both children and adults, often providing entertainment that is wholesome, relatable, and appropriate for all members of a family to watch or experience together.

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The short form refers to creative works characterized by their brevity and concise storytelling. Unlike full-length feature films, short films have a running time of less than 45 minutes, while TV shorts have a running time of less than 22 minutes.

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While on shore leave, Buddy the Sailor is called upon to rescue a young girl from a dragon.

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Buddy the Gob

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