On the most part, DePatie-Freleng Enterprises' output was very interesting and enjoyable to watch, with their best period being the 60s. Their various theatrical series were mixed, are a few were very good, a few were average at best or below and a few were in between. The Hoot Kloot series, made up of 17 cartoons produced between 1973 and 1974, is one of the in between ones like Roland and Rattfink. Not as good as prime-Pink Panther, The Inspector and the Ant and the Aardvark series, but better than those of Tijuana Toads, The Blue Racer and Crazylegs Crane.
Despite being one of the higher rated Hoot Kloot cartoons, 'By Hoot or By Crook' is another Hoot Kloot cartoon to not do much for me. It does have moments, including one of the series' best endings that was one of the few things that stood out. 'By Hoot or By Crook' also sadly is very thin on the ground and repetitive, save a couple of good gags and amusing wordplay, and is one of the worst looking Hoot Kloot cartoons. There are some good cartoons in the series, namely 'Pay Your Buffalo Bill', but 'By Hoot or By Crook' is not one of them.
'By Hoot or By Crook' is not all bad. The music has great rollicking energy and a fun Western vibe. Hoot Kloot and Fester are compelling characters, Hoot Kloot has moments of mildly amusing dialogue and Fester's too few attempts at foiling The Fox are the only times where the cartoon has any variety and doesn't feel too more of the same. Bob Holt voices terrifically, he always sounded like he was having fun.
There are moments where the humour works, Hoot Kloot's dialogue amuses on occasions and Fester's role is effective. The best part is the ending, which was funny and clever.
Pretty much the only part of 'By Hoot or By Crook' to fit that distinction though. The gags are not enough and almost all that are there fall flat from being completely unmemorable and lacking in variety. Especially in the middle, where the only gag that stands out being the dynamite sticks one and that is a very age old gag that is over too quickly and ends abruptly. The Fox as an adversary had potential, to begin with he was one of the better adversaries and then in the middle act he became very one joke and immediately becomes forgettable apart from his appearance. The guard character is completely useless and could have been left out easily.
Even the wordplay in general could have been sharper and more witty, there are moments with Hoot Kloot but he's had better material. The middle act is very dull and is repetitive, basically the same thing happening for what feels like most of the cartoon. The story is paper thin, non existent for over half the length with only the beginning showing signs of a (predictable) plot, and has no surprises and little momentum. Really didn't think that highly of the animation here in 'By Hoot or By Crook', the series had decent animation in its first half but it declined in the second half of it and became ugly when the colours became flatter and more washed out and the characters were hasty-looking. 'By Hoot or By Crook' is one of the worst examples, especially at the beginning.
Concluding, mediocre and not very memorable. 4/10.