Chuck Jones is widely considered one of animation's finest directors/animators and for very good reason. When he was at his best, his cartoons were masterpieces of animation, comic timing, characterisation and wit.
The Sniffles cartoon series were very early efforts for Jones, and, while they are interesting from a historical perspective, it is safe to say that from personal opinion they really don't see him at his best. There is somewhat of a still finding his feet feel here, with the humour once he became a regular director for the Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies cartoons becoming much funnier, more constant and wittier and the characterisation far more interesting.
'Naughty But Mice' is the first Sniffles cartoon and is not a bad one. It's just that it's not a great one either. The funniest parts are only mildly amusing, mainly with the electric razor, and for my tastes the cartoon does try a little too hard to be cute to the point it gets too sickly sweet. 'Naughty But Mice' doesn't do anywhere near enough with the cat character, who is bland and almost useless.
Story-wise, 'Naughty But Mice' is thin, a little lacking in energy and somewhat bland.
However, cannot bring myself to be too hard on the cartoon. The animation is very good. It is lush and vibrant in colour and meticulous and beautifully drawn in detail. The character designs are fluid, well drawn and distinctive Jones, if not the creative ones of his very best cartoons. Carl Stalling's music is lush and characterful, with clever orchestration and a mastery of not just adding to the action but enhancing it as well (Stalling was a near-unequalled master at this, though Scott Bradley gave him a run for his money).
A few amusing moments and there is somewhat of a subtly surreal element to the premise. Sniffles is not the funniest or compelling of lead characters, and falls dangerously close to being too cutesy, but there is an oddly likable sweetness. The most lively characterisation is the electric razor. The vocal characterisations are strong.
Overall, not a bad cartoon but it would for me be an untruth to call it a great one when it does strain to reach average. 5/10 Bethany Cox