Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons.
Also have much admiration for Tex Avery, an animation genius whose best cartoons are animated masterpieces and some of the best cartoons ever made from anybody. 'The Village Smithy', adapted from the classic poem 'The Village Blacksmith' in a wildly entertaining and deliciously warped way, like 'Milk and Money' and 'Porky the Wrestler' is up there as among Avery's best Porky Pig cartoons. To me, 'The Village Smithy' is also one of Porky's better early efforts and Avery's better early ones in general. Sometimes during this period there was the sense that he had not yet found his feet, his style can be found all over here.
'The Village Smithy' is also a cartoon where the relative slightness of the story can be completely overlooked because of the hilarity and brilliant timing of the gags (of which there are a lot and they come thick and fast), immaculate pacing and Avery's wild wackiness being apparent throughout and used to full advantage. The treatment of blacksmithing is done to truly imaginative effect.
Animation is characteristically great, crisp, detailed and fluid, the black and white holds up well. Carl Stalling once again provides an outstanding score, it is lush, energetic and characterful, with clever orchestration and a mastery of not just adding to the action but enhancing it as well (Stalling was a near-unequalled master at this).
It can be expected that Porky is a likable character and he is, though to me he works better in support against a stronger in personality character, while he plays it straight, than a lead.
The only issue for me again is Joe Dougherty's voice work as Porky, it's not just because Mel Blanc's more famous interpretation is more appealing to me but Dougherty doesn't sound anywhere near as natural or endearing, have always found that he overdid the stutter and that's true here too.
Concluding, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox
