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.
Daffy Duck has always been one of my all-time favourite animated characters, actually ever even. He is always so much fun to watch, though a lot of his outings with Speedy Gonzales in the 60s really didn't do him justice, but in his prime years (the 40s and 50s) he was wholly deserving of his iconic status. Norm McCabe, a very capable director deserving of more credit but in the shadow of very stiff competition, directs this relatively early black and white Daffy cartoon.
While 'Daffy's Southern Exposure' is not one of the Daffy Duck classics, it is very intriguing to see Daffy in black and white and 'Daffy's Southern Exposure' is a worthy representation. Even if there are more original cartoons out there story-wise and those with wittier and more hilarious material, 'Daffy's Southern Exposure' has a lot of energy and is still very funny.
It in no way disgraces Daffy, even in this early stage he has his iconic personality, already well established and not one of those still-evolving-and-not-fully-formed ones, and is so much fun to watch. His opponents are worthy of him, and just as amusing and interesting.
Mel Blanc is outstanding as always. Blanc shows an unequalled versatility and ability to bring an individual personality to every one of his multiple characters in a vast majority of his work, there is no wonder why he was in such high demand as a voice actor.
Billy Bletcher, also with a very distinctive voice perfect for villains in particular, is similarly splendid, both formidable and pitch perfect in comic timing.
The animation is excellent, it's fluid in movement, crisp in shading and very meticulous in detail. McCabe directs very capably, even if prominent competition like Bob Clampett, Tex Avery and Chuck Jones were more inspired and more inventive with more distinctive styles. Sorry if this sounds unfair, and it is, but it is hard to not make them and somewhat inevitable.
Ever the master, Carl Stalling's music is typically superb. It is as always lushly orchestrated, full of lively energy and characterful in rhythm, not only adding to the action but also enhancing it.
Overall, solid. 8/10 Bethany Cox
