While the Roland and Rattfink cartoons are rather variable from personal opinion, part of me does like the characters themselves depending on how they are characterised (the series is not always consistent on this front). Although their various theatrical series were a case of some being better than others, DePatie-Freleng Enterprises did a lot of average and more work, their best even great. The setting and plot line for the series fourth cartoon 'The Deadwood Thunderball' while familiar intrigued.
Although it is not a great cartoon and has its issues, 1969's 'The Deadwood Thunderball' is overall one of the better earlier Roland and Rattfink cartoons and towards the better half of the whole series. There is not an awful lot new here admittedly which does bring 'The Deadwood Thunderball' down a bit (some actually may argue a lot), but there are things done well and it is an entertaining cartoon generally. It is not a particularly great representation of Roland, but Rattfink here is in his element.
'The Deadwood Thunderball', like a vast majority of the Roland and Rattfink, is really quite lacking when it comes to originality. The story has very few surprises, and that is on top of it being very slight (the cartoon is a short one but the story feels too thin for it). The unoriginality shows in the gags too, they still manage to be amusing but one can't help thinking that they were lifted out of other cartoons that had them and did them better.
Roland is not particularly well served here in 'The Deadwood Thunderball', he has very little to do and his role is basically an underused plot device so he comes over as bland. Was mixed on the animation, some lovely vibrant colours and the expressions and reactions for Rattfink are done very well but there have been more elaborate backgrounds in the series (something that it was hit and miss in) and the drawing is not always the smoothest.
Never had a problem in any of the Roland and Rattfink cartoons when it came to the music, and 'The Deadwood Thunderball' doesn't disappoint. It is in perfect keeping with the cartoon's light-hearted energy and there is something infectious about it as well, have found that to be the case with a good deal of the output of DePatie-Freleng Enterprises. Regardless of the lack of originality, the gags still amuse with the last two minutes or so elevating the cartoon to a higher level and the energy doesn't let up. All of the humour comes from Rattfink, on top form, and the horse (slightly strange design but still very funny and Rattfink's equal). The series' verbal humour is mostly nailed, if more on snide Rattfink's side.
Despite Roland not really being served well, it was clear that the crew were having a great time with Rattfink, who is the most interesting and funniest he was up to this early point of the series. This was one of the few cartoons to not feature Lennie Weinrib voicing both characters, and instead we have talented replacements in John Byner and Dave Barry. Barry has more material, and meatier material, and while both do well, Barry is more memorable and does more with what he is given.
Overall, above average effort. 6/10
