Van Beuren cartoons are extremely variable, especially in the number of gags and whether the absurdist humour shines through enough (sometimes it does, other times it doesn't), but are strangely interesting. Although they are often poorly animated with barely existent stories and less than compelling lead characters, they are also often outstandingly scored, there can be some fun support characters and some are well-timed and amusing.
The second of the three Parrotville cartoons from Van Beuren's "Rainbow Parade" series, 'Parrotville Old Folks' is not an awful cartoon and Van Beuren certainly did far worse. There is though not an awful lot special here and only a few assets are note-worthy in a good way. Saw it really as somebody who is trying to see as many Van Beuren cartoons as possible, so that is pretty much the main reason to see it.
There are strengths certainly. Personally quite liked the animation, compared to the animation in the Cubby the Bear, most of the Tom and Jerry and other cartoons of Van Beuren, their production values came on a long way when switching to colour. There may be a lack of refinement in some of the drawing and the colour scheme is simple, but the cartoon is lusciously coloured and the backgrounds meticulous in detail. Even better is the music score, it is so beautifully and cleverly orchestrated, is great fun to listen to and full of lively energy, doing so well with enhancing the action.
Some of the synchronisation is sharp enough and wasn't exactly bored watching it, it comes to life marginally (but only just) towards the end.
However, the content is pretty thin, not much to it, and not only are there not enough gags as such but any absurdist humour or surrealism present in some of Van Beuren's earlier work is completely absent. The cartoon is too saccharine and very cutesy in characterisation, but just about avoids being excessive in sugar.
Characters are bland. 'Parrotville Old Folks' is virtually plot-less with barely existent conflict, when there are sporadic signs of a story it is very formulaic and so easy to figure out what will happen next and how things will end. The pace never really comes to life, because the content is so flimsy.
Concluding, while not unwatchable, there is not much to be excited by here. 4/10 Bethany Cox