Despite Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and his cartoons being popular and well received at the time, they have been vastly overshadowed over time by succeeding animation characters. It is a shame as, while not cartoon masterpieces, they are fascinating for anybody wanting to see what very old animation looked like.
'Chilly Con Carmen' is one of the better Walter Lantz Oswald cartoons, a few of which were decent but there were a fair share of disappointments. It is a decent representation of Lantz and Oswald is closer to his personality in the Disney and Winkler era cartoons due to having a premise that allows for that to happen.
Admittedly the story is paper thin and over-familiar (not unexpected, the story has never been a strength in the Oswald cartoons even in the best ones) and while the gags hit more than they miss thankfully a couple could have had sharper timing and are a little on the unimaginative side.
On the other hand, the animation is good, at a time when the animation quality generally had taken a significant and very much noticeable nosedive. Transitions are smoother and there are some very nice details and fluidity. Synchronisation is much better, not sloppy, and the sound is more resonant. The music is energetic.
The gags are mostly inventively done and actually fun, while Oswald is endearing. The bull is also an entertaining character.
In conclusion, decent Lantz Oswald cartoon and one of his better ones. 7/10 Bethany Cox
