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Chilly Willy's Sub-Arctic World

About.com Rating 3

by Mike Durrett
for About.com

Chilly Willy's Sub-Arctic WorldPlay this trailer

From 1953 through 1972, a spunky little penguin in a knit cap inhabited Coldernell, Alaska, and worldwide movie screens. Chilly Willy appeared in 50 theatrical (and another handful of TV) cartunes, as producer Walter Lantz referred to his six-minute animated short subjects. Nearly all of these cartoons, including "Half-Baked Alaska" and "I'm Cold," are on view at the fine Chilly Willy's Sub-Arctic World tribute, along with hundreds of photos, and Chilly sound bites and comic book reprints. Cool.

Review:

The quality of the Chilly Willy films varies greatly, but, as a kid and an adult, I welcomed his appearances, more so than Lantz's pesky Woody Woodpecker, for Chilly defines the word "cute" and his best adventures are pleasant and brisk, and sight gag oriented. The boyish waddling bird suggests animator Tex Avery's droll, enigmatic Droopy Dog character and for good reason. Avery directed the second and third Chilly Willy pictures, cementing his star's visual style, formula, and comedic attitude.

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