The Terrytoons are oddly interesting, mainly for anybody wanting to see (generally) older cartoons made by lesser known and lower-budget studios. They are a mixed bag in quality, with some better than others, often with outstanding music and with some mild amusement and charm and variable in animation, characterisation and content. It was interesting seeing Gandy Goose in a solo cartoon but there was the worry as to whether he would go back to the bland and unappealing character that he started as.
1951's 'Songs of Erin' left me feeling rather underwhelmed. It is not a terrible cartoon, but it isn't great or even particularly good. It is not quite one of Gandy's worst cartoons, but it is also not one of his best and does feel like a slightly more elaborate return to his late 30s cartoons. Which is not a compliment sadly, as this is a standard that Terrytoons were moving away from. As far as 1951 goes, 'Songs of Erin' is one of the lesser efforts for Terrytoons.
'Songs of Erin' does have good things. The animation is great and one sees how far this aspect has come on since the studio started, Terrytoons would never have been able to do animation as elaborate and ambitious in movement as this in the 30s. It is nicely detailed, lively and colourful, with a vividly rendered dreamlike fairytale like setting and vibrant colours that don't look garish, and the movements are remarkably smooth and cleverly synchronised. The best aspect though is the music, which is full of characterful energy, emotion and lush orchestration. It also synchronises brilliantly with the action, not only adding to it but enhancing it.
Did also think that 'Songs of Erin' did come to life in the climax, with the giant being the character with the strongest personality and one that suitably intimidates.
A lot does not work though. Gandy is incredibly bland and unappealing and it was like seeing a return to his older personality. He came on a long way partnered with Sourpuss, but when he was on his own the cartoons exposed his limitations as a solo lead. Of the other characters, only the giant made a halfway decent impressions while the others were too cutesy (such as the stereotyped elves). The story is paper thin and unimaginative, it is quite an old fashioned concept and it feels old fashioned and well worn.
Energy is badly lacking, with the first half being little more than a rather sugary sweet and draggy stringing along of nursery rhyme-like vignettes. As are the laughs, the gags are too few and what there are struggle to reach mildly amusing. Not to mention that all of them are stale. Also really didn't like how the cartoon petered out, such a well done and promising climax only to be rounded off on a running out of ideas copout whimper. Which was a little bit of a waste of what was the clear highlight of the cartoon content-wise.
Overall, underwhelming. 4/10.