Chilly Willy's best cartoons were perfect examples of how a potentially one-joke character and concept could end up actually being a perfect mix of the cute and the funny with a lot of colour and good comic timing to go with it.
'I'm Cold' is only Chilly Willy's second cartoon and is still one of his best. That it is directed by Tex Avery, an animation genius, in the first of two Chilly Willy cartoons (the other 'The Legend of Rockabye Point' being even better, and another one of Chilly's best) by him, may have something to do with it. As said, both see some of the best from Chilly, and, especially 'The Legend of Rockabye Point', both are also among the best Avery did too.
Animation quality is not always smooth and refined, but is significantly more imaginative than in the still impressive debut cartoon 'Chilly Willy' and has some lovely colours and handsomely rendered background. So not amazing, but still pretty good for so early on and really not bad for a Walter Lantz creation. The music is full of lively bounce and character, with luscious orchestration. It not only adds to the action and visuals but enhances them too.
Timing is nigh-on perfect, with Avery on excellent form with the hilarious gags courtesy mainly of Chilly's foil Smedley. The best of them are rich in invention and are hilarious. Chilly, like Pingu, contributed towards my lifelong love of penguins, and he is adorable and amusing here.
He is upstaged though in the humour department by the much funnier Smedley, who is a little more interesting as a character and a great foil for the little penguin. Their rapport drives 'I'm Cold' and it is really inspired, with beautiful timing and sequences that never disappoint in entertainment or providing some variation.
Overall, wonderful and nothing to be left cold by. 10/10 Bethany Cox