The Hoot Kloot theatrical series was a watchable series, of 17 cartoons from 1973 to 1974, and middling when it comes to ranking DePatie-Freleng Enterprises' theatrical series, neither among the best or worst of them. A case of starting off quite decently and by the end felt like a different series. None of the cartoons are terrible, none are great either. The best are quite good, the best being 'Pay Your Buffalo Bill' and 'Stirrups and Hiccups', and the worst (the Bob Balsar-directed ones) are mediocre.
For me, 'Saddle Soap Opera' is one of the worst of the Hoot Kloot cartoons. It is like 'By Hoot or By Crook', with it starting off with potential, especially if anybody is interested in seeing the series' take on a hanging judge, but gets bogged down badly in the middle act. 'Saddle Soap Opera' has moments and is worth a peek if one wants to see all the cartoons in the series and all of DePatie-Freleng Enterprises' output, but it is not particularly good. Not a good way to end to the series.
Am going to mention the good first. Some of the colours are pretty. The music really rouses the spirits and has a lot of character rhythmically. There is some amusing wordplay here and there.
Bob Holt brings a lot of energy and individuality to both Hoot Kloot and Fester, he was clearly enjoying bringing out the former's larger than life loudmouth personality and hearing the Walter Brennan influence in his voice work for the latter was inspired and nostalgic. Fester comes off best of the characters, being the only one that's likeable.
Usually Hoot Kloot was not a problem for me, but here sees him in not a good light. His treatment of the judge leaning too far on being too on the cruel side. Did find myself on the judge's side at the end, but actually wasn't crazy about him as a character overall despite the potential he initially showed, too limited in personality and one joke. The gags are not enough and almost all that are there fall flat from being completely unmemorable and lacking in variety, the cliff gag is the only one to stand out and that was too reminiscent of a gag you'd find in a late Roadrunner and Wile E Coyote cartoon. Especially in the middle.
Even the wordplay in general could have been sharper and more witty, there are moments with Hoot Kloot but he's had better material. The middle act is very dull and is repetitive, basically the same thing happening for what feels like most of the cartoon. The story is paper thin, non existent for over half the length with only the beginning showing signs of a (predictable) plot, and has no surprises and little momentum. So much of the cartoon feels stale. Really didn't think that highly of the animation here on the whole apart from the colours, especially the very sloppy and rushed looking character animation.
In summary, mediocre. 4/10.
For me, 'Saddle Soap Opera' is one of the worst of the Hoot Kloot cartoons. It is like 'By Hoot or By Crook', with it starting off with potential, especially if anybody is interested in seeing the series' take on a hanging judge, but gets bogged down badly in the middle act. 'Saddle Soap Opera' has moments and is worth a peek if one wants to see all the cartoons in the series and all of DePatie-Freleng Enterprises' output, but it is not particularly good. Not a good way to end to the series.
Am going to mention the good first. Some of the colours are pretty. The music really rouses the spirits and has a lot of character rhythmically. There is some amusing wordplay here and there.
Bob Holt brings a lot of energy and individuality to both Hoot Kloot and Fester, he was clearly enjoying bringing out the former's larger than life loudmouth personality and hearing the Walter Brennan influence in his voice work for the latter was inspired and nostalgic. Fester comes off best of the characters, being the only one that's likeable.
Usually Hoot Kloot was not a problem for me, but here sees him in not a good light. His treatment of the judge leaning too far on being too on the cruel side. Did find myself on the judge's side at the end, but actually wasn't crazy about him as a character overall despite the potential he initially showed, too limited in personality and one joke. The gags are not enough and almost all that are there fall flat from being completely unmemorable and lacking in variety, the cliff gag is the only one to stand out and that was too reminiscent of a gag you'd find in a late Roadrunner and Wile E Coyote cartoon. Especially in the middle.
Even the wordplay in general could have been sharper and more witty, there are moments with Hoot Kloot but he's had better material. The middle act is very dull and is repetitive, basically the same thing happening for what feels like most of the cartoon. The story is paper thin, non existent for over half the length with only the beginning showing signs of a (predictable) plot, and has no surprises and little momentum. So much of the cartoon feels stale. Really didn't think that highly of the animation here on the whole apart from the colours, especially the very sloppy and rushed looking character animation.
In summary, mediocre. 4/10.