On a Classic Cat and Mouse

Theme song

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A classic cat chases mouse routine leading to mayhem and destruction featuring

Tom

• A cat who naps, eats and chases Jerry
• Seldom talks
• Thinks of schemes to catch Jerry
• Originally called Jasper

Jerry

• The clever mouse with an impish grin
• Seldom talks
• Charmer
• Usually triumphant

Created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM),

Hanna and Barbera produced and directed 114 from 1940 to 1957

Additional MGM releases include
– 13 shorts by Rembrandt Films (1961)
– 34 shorts by Chuck Jones’s Sib-Tower 12 Productions produced (1963-1967)

Debuting on CBS’ Saturday morning schedule on September 25, 1965, Tom and Jerry moved to CBS Sundays two years later and remained there until September 17, 1972.

Received 13 Academy Award nominations, but won 7 Oscars: The Yankee Doodle Mouse (1943), Mouse Trouble (1944), Quiet Please (1945), The Cat Concerto (1946), The Little Orphan (1949), The Two Mouseketeers (1952), and Johann Mouse (1953)

#50 on TV Guide 50 Greatest Cartoon Characters

A Short Clip

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Because of the limited dialogue, music was important Musical director Scott Bradley blended classical, jazz, and pop music

Because of limited speaking, easily to reconstruct in other languages; thus shown throughout the world

Enjoy this classic clip with Gene Kelly

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Criticisms
– Excessively violent, though no blood
– Stereotypical scenes of Blacks

Other Characters include: “Aunt” Pristine Figg, Barney Bear, Beegle Beagle, Butch the Cat, Captain Kiddie, Dr. J. “Sweetface” Applecheek, Dripple the Dog, Droopy the Dog, Dweeble, Ferdinand, Frankie the Flea, Grape Ape, Grappley, Lickboot, Lightning the Cat, Mammy Two Shoes, Meathead the Cat, Mumbly, Nibbles the Mouse (later called Tuffy), Puggsy the Dog, Quacker, Red (sometimes called Miss Vavoom), Robyn Starling, Spike and son Tyke, Screwball Squirrel, Squawk, Toodles Galore, Topsy,Wolfie

Tribute

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A full feature from 1956