Feelings on The Dogfather cartoons were a very mixed bag as a child, they had their moments but DePatie-Freleng Enterprises did far better and far more memorable theatrical series. Decided to watch all the cartoons to see out of curiosity how well they stood up by young adult standards, whether they would be better on rewatch, the same or worse. Some of DePatie-Freleng Enterprises' theatrical series were good, some were mediocre at best or in one case bad.
Despite the premise being a good deal more appealing and more gangster-like than those in the previous Dogfather cartoons (even though still very predictable), 'From Nags to Riches' could have done a lot more with it. It certainly has its moments and is worth a one time watch, but most elements are very average at best and amusement only comes in spurts. Also only one character makes much of an impression here. There are worse Dogfather cartoons than 'From Nags to Riches', but after two surprisingly decent cartoons it was a shame to have the series back to average at best quality.
As said, one character makes an impression and that is Dogfather, he has some amusing lines that did raise a smile. Bob Holt's very Marlon Brando/Peter Falk's Columbo impression voice work adds a good deal. Actually thought the voice acting was fine considering the material.
This is also one of the better looking Dogfather cartoons, not great with a lack of finesse still but the colours are more vibrant than usual and there is more detail in the backgrounds. The climax was amusing enough.
However, quite a lot doesn't work. Pug is restricted to merely physical comedy and it is very tired and predictable physical comedy that has been done many times elsewhere (like past prime Looney Tunes and even some of DePatie-Freleng's cartoons. Louie is as ever quite annoying and actually didn't see the point of him with how little he has, pretty much useless. The horse doesn't have much personality, which took away from the already bland conflict, other than the bit with the mirror.
Moreover, the story is nothing to write home about. Very thin and derivative with very little energy, reminiscent of Looney Tunes in the late 50s-early 60s. Which is true of the gags too, which are too few and too much like stale retreads of pre-existing past-prime Looney Tunes gags. The cartoony violence is too tame, while the at times childish comedy by adult standards and complicated mobster terminology that will go over younger viewers' heads doesn't ever gel and made me question the target audience.
Very average overall though there was worse. 5/10.