Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Crazylegs Crane Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 4, 2016

Arriving in 1978, “Crazylegs Crane” represents the other end of the quality spectrum for DePatie-Freleng Enterprises, who offer 16 shorts of fumbled comedy and aggressive voicework with saga of a bird and a dragonfly mixing it up on a daily basis. Even with lowered expectations for television animation from the 1970s, “Crazylegs Crane” tests patience with its unadventurous storytelling and slack sense of humor, content to rework select gags repeatedly, with only the rare moment of oddity arriving to wake the series up.

Episodes

*All episodes contain laugh tracks.

“Life with Feather” (6:01)

Crazylegs Crane is eager to teach his son, Junior, how to catch insects. The pair encounters Dragonfly, a fire-breathing insect who isn’t easily captured.

“Crane-Brained” (6:01)

Confronted with Junior’s disappointment, Crazylegs sets out to prove himself, trying futilely to catch Dragonfly.

“Sonic Broom” (6:02)

Searching for Dragonfly, Crazylegs meets a witch in the swamp who’s also after the special insect.

“Winter Blunderland” (6:01)

Struggling to find prey in the cold, Crazylegs discovers Dragonfly, working with winter sports to help catch the little bug.

“Storky and Hatch” (6:01)

A pool hall stunt goes wrong, sending a billiard ball into a nest near Crazylegs. Fumbling his new “egg,” Crazylegs tries to be a good parent.

“Fly by Knight” (6:01)

Trying to make Junior proud, Crazylegs goes to Knight School, tasked with slaying a dragon before graduation.

“Sneaker Snack” (6:01)

Joined by pal Crumley, Crazylegs goes after Dragonfly, fighting with his friend along the way.

“King of the Swamp” (6:01)

Crazylegs runs into trouble when he encounters a bully claiming ownership of a local swamp.

“Barnacle Bird” (6:02)

Trying to take it easy on a hot day, Crazylegs can’t help himself, chasing Dragonfly to a nearby ship.

“Animal Crack-Ups” (6:02)

Facing Junior’s ridicule, Crazylegs is determined to prove himself, concentrating on becoming a top hunter, targeting Dragonfly at a local circus.

“Jet Feathers” (6:02)

Looking to boost his flying power, Crazylegs dons a bat suit, rents a hot-air balloon, and flies a plane to keep up with Dragonfly.

“Nest Quiz” (6:01)

Looking to build himself a sturdy, all-weather nest, Crazylegs commences a massive building project.

“Bug Off” (6:00)

Teased by Dragonfly, Crazylegs decides to work on his flying ability, accepting advice from his conscience.

“Beach Bummer” (6:01)

Heading to the beach for an afternoon of fun, Crazylegs battles aggressive security and Dragonfly’s criticisms.

“Flower Power” (6:01)

Trying to be a responsible gardener, Crazylegs works overtime to protect a lone flower.

“Trail of the Lonesome Mine” (6:01)

Dragonfly discovers gold inside a local mine, triggering curiosity from Crazylegs, who goes after the fortune.

Crazylegs Crane Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Crazylegs Crane" brings out the frugality of the production, giving the viewer a tour of dirty cells and periodic displays of sloppy animation. Detail is good, even when it exposes creative limitations, offering a clear view of character designs and backgrounds. Hues are strong throughout, with bold primaries selling the cartoon appearance. Delineation is satisfactory. Mild speckling is detected.

Crazylegs Crane Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

More consistent than "The Inspector" and "The Ant and the Aardvark" presentations, the 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix on "Crazylegs Crane" doesn't feature any truly muffled episodes, largely remaining even with clarity and purpose. Dialogue exchanges are pronounced, easy to follow, while scoring is clear, with welcome instrumentation. Hiss is minimal.

Crazylegs Crane Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentaries are offered on "Crane-Brained" (with author Mark Arnold), "King of the Swamp" (with Arnold), and "Life with Feather" (with historian Jerry Beck).

• "Goodbye, Warner Bros. Hello, DePatie-Freleng" (16:59, HD) turns to author Jerry Beck, who shares the origin story of the respected animation studio behind multiples cult titles, including "The Inspector." Interviews with employees and historians are provided, helping to identify various creative types within the DePatie-Freleng studio, and the saga of the opening titles for "The Pink Panther" are recalled, which jumpstarted production on "The Inspector" and inspired similar cinematic work throughout the 1960s.

• "Of Aardvarks, Ants, Inspectors, and Cranes" (17:10, HD) returns to Beck, the experts, and the employees to dissect each creative endeavor from DePatie-Freleng, highlighting personal favorites, animation style, and voice work achievements.

Crazylegs Crane Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I know "Crazylegs Crane" has its fans, but when taking in the wit, timing, and artistry of the DePatie/Freleng legacy, the show offers a significant drop in quality, while its general disinterest in narrative expansion is difficult to watch. It's a one-note cartoon, missing verve and pace.