TheLittleSongbird 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. Actually appreciate it even more through young adults eyes, due to having more knowledge of it, various animation styles, studios, directors and how it all works.'The Captain's Christmas' is not one of Friz Freleng's best cartoons by any stretch, in an uneven "still evolving" period of his long career, and he was yet to be in his full prime and not yet found his style properly. For a relatively early effort, 'The Captain's Christmas', one of a short-lived series of cartoons and easily the best of them, is well above average but not great or a Freleng classic. He would do much better later when there would be more freshness and wit, more laugh a minute material, an even livelier pace and more confidence.It is fairly predictable story-wise and the Captain could have had more to. do However, the titular character and especially John are fun characters and the chemistry between the characters elevates 'The Captain's Christmas'. John is in it more and he is more interesting and funnier.The cartoon is very amusing, actually hilarious in particularly the final carolling scene, and it goes at a lively and energetic pace. It is a Christmas cartoon but it never gets too sappy.. The dialogue is witty and clever.Animation is excellent, it's fluid in movement, crisp in shading and very meticulous in detail. It's also pretty witty. The music is lovely on the ears, lushly orchestrated, full of lively energy and characterful in rhythm, adding to the action and even enhancing. Voice acting from Mel Blanc and Billy Bletcher, Blanc especially with more to do, is terrific and full of character.Although, above average and hugely entertaining but nothing mind-blowing. 7/10 Bethany Cox

tavm Having just discovered this Christmas cartoon starring The Captain and the Kids on YouTube, I have to say-the plotting is all over the place what with peg-leg John stealing The Captain's disguise as Santa Claus, breaking into Mama and her boys'-Hans and Franz-house not to mention their toys and then vowing to make amends because of a crisis of conscience and not getting arrested for his previous doings? Well, it is Christmas and forgiveness is ample here. Having said all that, there are some pretty funny gags here and I loved seeing John and his co-horts sing with their tongues moving up and down in rhythm and with Friz Freleng as director-having temporarily left Leon Schlesinger for M-G-M-you know you're getting some good musical animation. So with all that, I'll just be generous and recommend The Captain's Christmas.

Robert Reynolds This is just about the only genuinely funny Captain and the Kids cartoon they made. A few were reasonably good, if not terribly memorable. But this one deserves to be seen and remembered. I suspect that the fact that, despite the title, The Captain makes but a cameo appearance has something to do with its success. The focus here is on the pirate John, a much more interesting character. John's attempts to make amends for his thoughtless actions are the bulk of the cartoon. The caroling scene is beautiful!!! Suffice it to say that I've never quite heard "Hang Up the Holly in the Window" in the same way before and it will always remind me of this cartoon whenever I hear it in the future! Painful, but effective! Well worth tracking down. Most recommended.

Squonk I have to admit, this is the first, and so far the only, short I've seen featuring the Katzenjammer Kids (or "The Captain and the Kids" as they're called here). I really enjoyed it. The story is simple, the Captain is going to surprise the kids by dressing as Santa Claus, however, the peg-legged villain called John takes his place. There are some very funny visuals. I especially enjoyed the peg-legged foot prints left by John on the snow covered roof. The final Christmas carolling scene is also a riot. Unlike many Christmas cartoons, this one doesn't get too sappy. It keeps a high level of craziness while remaining in the Christmas spirit.