Name: Apache on the County Seat
Genre: Animation, Short
Released: 1973-06-16
Duration: 6 min
Rating: 6.2
Cast: Bob Holt

On first watch, 'Apache on the County Seat' didn't leave me crazy about it. Not terrible by all means, but the stereotypes admittedly did put me off, the artwork didn't strike me as appealing (this was at a time where the abstract style the series and DePatie-Freleng adopted had not yet grown on me) and it didn't strike me as particularly funny. The Hoot Kloot series though did grow on me rewatching it and while not one of the best of the studio's theatrical series it is not one of the worst either.

'Apache on the County Seat' is one of the cartoons in the series that did grow on me. Not all the characters worked for me still, but there is a lot more appreciation for the animation and it is funnier than remembered. If more in the second half than the first, which did initially make me feel occasionally at first "there is not much improvement on this watch than first time". If anybody else is feeling the same and has any doubts about continuing, even if it is a long way from perfect or great the cartoon is just about worth sticking with.

Shall start with the good things first. The animation is simple but strikingly so, and although there is a lack of finesse in the character designs this is more than made up for in the rich colours (the predominant ones being brown, red and dark orange) and suitably abstract backgrounds. The music is full of character, has so much rhythmic energy and has a real Wild West vibe to it. Hoot Kloot's loudmouth personality doesn't overbear things too much and he has such a great presence for someone so small.

Even better actually is Fester, the most likeable character in the cartoon and has one of his best ever lines in "A goldang antihorse bigot!" One does understand how he is feeling at that point, personally would feel similar if he was spoken to the way Hoot Kloot speaks to him. The dialogue has some very amusing wordplay and exchanges between Hoot Kloot and Fester, which is where most of the humour comes from. The last 1 and a half minute has a nice Looney Tunes-like gag. Bob Holt does a great job with the voice work in a one man show, bringing individuality to both the Walter Brennan-soundalike Fester and the abrasive Hoot Kloot.

However, there are stereotypes here in the first half and they do raise an eyebrow and they are neither tasteful or interesting. This is the section where the cartoon is at its dullest and blandest, luckily before picking up in the second half. The story is again basic and next to non-existent, going practically nowhere in the first half (thank goodness that the dialogue and the chemistry between Hoot Kloot and Fester makes it watchable).

It is a shame that very little is done with Big Red, after a promising build up he instead is introduced very late in and is given very little to do other than one amusing if hardly innovative gag. In the end, it is difficult to feel what was the point of him.

Overall, not great but better than remembered. 6/10

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.

Daveigh Chase, Rumi Hiiragi, and Mari Natsuki in Spirited Away (2001)

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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Sheriff Hoot Kloot and his hobbling horse Fester go into Injun Territory to find the suspect Jolly Red Giant for not showing up in court for his parking fines, hilarity soon follows.

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Apache on the County Seat

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