While not one of my favourites, Ub Iwerks was responsible for a lot of interesting work. Especially when working with Walt Disney, his oldest friend and one of his best, and co-creating one of animation's most famous characters in Mickey Mouse. His career since opening his own studio had interest value but the quality was variable, often being successful in the animation and music but wanting in the story and variable in gags, lead characters and tone.
1933 to 1936 saw twenty five cartoons, mostly based on famous fairytales and familiar stories, as part of Iwerks's "ComiColor" series. The "ComiColor" series is very much worth watching and interesting, as is the case with many series some cartoons are better than others but there are no real animation nadirs. 1935's 'Old Mother Hubbard' is remarkably very well done and one of the better cartoons of the series.
'Old Mother Hubbard', while faithfully adhering to the basic details (and also spirit) of the story while putting its own spin, is slight and not exactly ground-breaking, and gets off to a very saccharine start.
To me, the titular character could have had more to do, being somewhat underused in her own cartoon, really the main character here is the dog. And yes (am glad it was the thoughts of others here) the Maurice Chevalier caricature is horrendous, to the extent one is unsure as to whether it is actually him or not.
However, 'Old Mother Hubbard' in no way disgraces the story and has enough freshness to stop it from being stale. It avoids the over sentimental factor generally, apart from at the start and is never dull.
There are very amusing moments, that aren't too corny and never repetitive, it's very charming and there is a genuine likeability and cuteness without being over-sentimental on the whole (the beginning did give the impression it would be). The characters drive 'Old Mother Hubbard' well generally, though the best character by far is the dog with the most interesting personality.
Furthermore, the animation is great. Meticulously detailed, fluid in drawing, vibrant in colour and often rich in imagination and visual wit. The music is cleverly and lushly orchestrated, is infectiously catchy and adds a lot to the cartoon.
All in all, a few faults here but well done. 7/10 Bethany Cox