Of all the various theatrical series starring recurring characters from Terrytoons Studios up to this point and in their entire filmography, the one for Heckle and Jeckle is the only one to have all its early cartoons consistently good in quality, something that those running longer (i.e. Mighty Mouse) never achieved. From when they were first introduced right up to their last appearance, the Heckle and Jeckle series for me was the best of all of Terrytoons' theatrical series, though their earlier cartoons are better than the later ones.
1949's 'The Lion Hunt' by early Heckle and Jeckle standards was a bit of disappointment, especially with their previous cartoon 'The Power of Thought' being one of their best. There are definitely a lot of good things about it and it is entertaining, but there are funnier Heckle and Jeckle cartoons. As well as more darkly anarchic. When it comes to the 1949 Terrytoons cartoons overall, 'The Lion Hunt' is not one of the best. Nor is it one of the worst. Another effort that is somewhere in the middle.
All the previous Heckle and Jeckle had fresher and funnier material, what there is here in 'The Lion Hunt' is amusing but never hilarious and has been seen before. The material has also been darker and more anarchic before and since, by early Heckle and Jeckle standards this is reasonably tame.
The story is fun enough and has energy but not much new is done with a pretty samey formula. The lion is pretty bland compared to most Heckle and Jeckle foils and certainly compared to the two titular magpies themselves.
Despite how all this sounds, there is actually a lot good here in 'The Lion Hunt'. Have nothing to fault the animation for. Vibrant colours, nice attention to detail, far from static or simplistic backgrounds, the drawing is so much smoother than when the studio first started and the transitions are much more fluid and less choppy, nowhere near as much recycling or cutting corners either. The music never disappointed with Terrytoons, always the best asset of their worst efforts and it is one of the best things here still. Actually would go as far to say that it's even better than the animation. It is so lovely to listen to and there is such an uplifting vibe hearing it because of the snappy character it has.
Gags in general are well timed and amusing, with the cleverest and the one that made me laugh most being the movie contract one. Classic Heckle and Jeckle craftiness and the most malicious their behaviour gets. The action is not disasteful or overkill, though it could have afforded to have had more punch. Heckle and Jeckle are great characters here as usual and interact well with the lion, their movements, the way they talk (in the use of language and the voices themselves) and their expressions make them quite unique characters for Terrytoons.
Summing up, not great but entertaining enough. 6/10.