The 26 Little Lulu cartoons made during 1944-1948 (and the two made in the early 60s) were uneven (individually and the series as a general overview) but watchable.
While there are, previous to 'A Bout With a Trout', some good Little Lulu cartoons such as 'Hullaba-Lulu', 'Magica-Lulu', 'Musica-Lulu', 'Bargain Counter Attack' and 'Beau Ties' and some great ones like 'Bored of Education', 'Cad and Caddy' and 'Chick and Double Chick', there are also mediocre or less ones such as 'Lulu Gets a Birdie', 'Lulu at the Zoo' and 'Lulu's Birthday Party' (two of those three having the character of Mandy as one of the main problems).
'A Bout With a Trout' is also up there with the best Little Lulu cartoons. It does wonders with a very old, for Famous Studios and in cartoons in general, premise involving a dream sequence, and ends up being one of the most inventive and even educational uses of it. It starts off quite well, but gets better significantly (with funnier and more imaginative material and with visuals that are both inventive and wonderfully surreal).
Once again, the animation is nice. The style of it may take some getting used to but when you compare this cartoon to Little Lulu's debut 'Eggs Don't Bounce' the difference is staggering, here the drawing is more refined and the colours more vibrant and some of it is rich in imagination. Winston Sharples' music score is whimsical, beautifully orchestrated and characterful as always. The title song is infectious.
Doesn't fall short in the laughs department either, the gags are very well executed and while not always hilarious they are highly amusing and never less with misfires being none. Great ideas, fascinatingly executed without being disjointed. It was interesting to see a more conflicted Little Lulu, the angel and devil concept not being new but still very well done.
Also interesting to see a rare example of no dialogue and to see the faces on the stars of Jerry Colonna, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, very famous and popular stars of the time. The voice work is good.
Summing up, great cartoon and one of Little Lulu's best. 9/10 Bethany Cox
