The Bosko cartoons may not be animation masterpieces, but they are fascinating as examples of Looney Tunes in their early days before the creation of more compelling characters and funnier and more creative cartoons.After two decent but not great previous cartoons, that are noteworthy mainly for historical significance, 'Bosko the Talk-Ink Kid' and 'Sinkin' in the Bathtub', 'Congo Jazz' joins them in the decent but not great category. It fares least in the story, which is more a paper-thin excuse to string along music and gags with a few draggy stretches and an ending that doesn't feel that well rounded off, it feels like it peters out in fact.However, the animation is not bad at all, not exactly refined but fluid and crisp enough with some nice detail, it is especially good in the meticulous backgrounds and some remarkably flexible yet natural movements for Bosko. The music is 'Congo Jazz's' highlight component, its infectious energy, rousing merriment, lush orchestration and how well it fits with the animation is just a joy.While never hilarious, 'Congo Jazz' is at least an amusing cartoon, with the ape and palm tree parts faring best. The sound isn't static, the cartoon is quite cute and it is difficult not to be cheerful watching. Bosko is never going to be one of my favourite cartoon characters, or among the all-time greats, but he has more personality this time round and it's more endearing than before.In conclusion, decent but not great. 7/10 Bethany Cox

"Congo Jazz" is one of the earliest Looney Tunes starring Bosko, a highly energetic character created by Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising. Bosko himself is quite elastic, able to stretch himself into unbelievable contortions. (Well, maybe not so unbelievable - it's a cartoon!) Musical accompaniment seems to be a big part of these early cartoons, too, particularly this one, as "music soothes the savage beast". Bosko is a hunter of wild game in this film, you see.There's one sequence in "Congo Jazz" that I especially admire. Bosko and an ape play strings of chewing gum like pizzicato strings, then a lot of other jungle inhabitants joyfully join in with their own instruments."Congo Jazz" is a cartoon that is likely to brighten your mood when you see it. Find it on the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 6 Disc 3.

In Congo Jazz, Bosko is a hunter who is chased by a tiger. He shoots but the bullet comes out with a whimper instead of a bang. Eventually, Bosko pulls a flute out and serenades the tiger to the edge of a cliff before kicking him off. He then encounters a couple of young apes. One of them gets in trouble with Bosko so he opens the baby's butt-fur and attempts to spank him (this was obviously pre-Code). The father arrives. Feeling threatened, Bosko offers some gum. The father ape obliges. They then make beautiful music together when both play with their tongues. All the jungle animals join in. It all ends with two laughing hyenas laughing at Bosko's expense though Bosko himself does too...Another musical Bosko that has its own charm despite no real plot to speak of, just gags connected by music and setting. Pretty entertaining though a far cry from later Looney Tunes that became classics after Tex Avery and other "new blood" arrived in 1936...

This short is an early Warner Brothers that features a character named Bosko, who is in ill favor in certain politically correct quarters. My take on it all is that the few shorts I've seen in the series vary greatly in quality, some being very good and others not terribly interesting. This is one of the better ones I've seen. Warner Brothers almost always had excellent music throughout their run, up to the 1950s and this short has excellent music, if a limited plot. Well worth watching. Recommended.