Over 25 years, Famous Studios were responsible for a large body of work, of which the Noveltoons series was the most prolific of their theatrical series (which also included the Popeye, Casper, Little Lulu and Herman and Katnip cartoons). Some were better than others, with the 40s output generally being better than the late-50s and 60s cartoons, with lower budgets, fatigue and tighter deadlines contributing towards a decline in quality, but on the most part it was a watchable series of cartoons.
'Sheep Shape' is the third of four Famous Studios cartoons to star Blackie the Lamb and Wolfie the Wolf, the first being 1943's 'No Mutton for Nuttin' and the last being 1947's 'Much Ado About Mutton'. Of the four, it gets my vote as the second worst with the worst being the still quite decent 'Lamb in a Jam' from 1945. 'Sheep Shape' may not be a great cartoon and Famous Studios definitely did a lot better before and since, but they did worse and the cartoon is still worth watching.
Despite the setting being different for this very brief series, there is not an awful lot of variety when it comes to the story. Which is very thin and formulaic and sometimes this does hurt the gags. Most of which amused but some felt on the stale side from over-familiarity.
The characterisation is also on the thin side, actually do like both Blackie and Wolfie as characters and they have nice chemistry together, at the same time there's not much that's distinct or fully fleshed.
However, the lush and lively music score, that not only doesn't jar but enhances, more than compensates. As does the animation, some of the backgrounds are just gorgeous and the colours practically pop out at you. Despite the flimsiness, that doesn't stop 'Sheep Shape' from never being dull.
It is good too that there are more rib-tickling moments than stale ones, with the ending being one of the better parts. The energy is there throughout and is suitably sharp. The chemistry between Blackie and Wolfie really drives 'Sheep Shape' and has a lot of energy and tension. The two characters are not ones that blow the mind but they carry the cartoon more than amiably. They are well voiced too, with Arnold Stang being typically sharp.
Overall, decent if not great. 7/10
