This is something that I love the most about the Tom and Jerry cartoons. They weren't always merely a household pet and pest, confined to the world of the house, forever warm and classic house though it may have been. From one episode to the next they could be living with some cattle ranch guy, or in medieval times, or tanning on the beach or swimming under the seas as a cat and mermouse! Or way later they had them up in space a lot, but we dare not speak of such terrible things... Although one of those turned out to be a dream the point is I really like the shorts that push the boundaries and, whatever loopy reality the world of the show has, and I really love this one. I love mad scientist Tom, concocting his not-so deadly brew to dispose of his despised nemesis Jerry! I find his utterly fiendish, leering expression so totally funny-Bwa-ha-ha- ha!!! It's apparently a very good day to be evil! And I also really love the shadows that back-light him in the scene, I find the explosive puff of red smoke when the potion erupts quite visually impressive. Something else, that happens to be the thing I love the most about this short is the music. I love the humorously ominous music that really brought to my mind cheesy old black and white monster movies! I know it's more likely a take on Jeckyl and Hyde, but it made me picture that kind of thing more for some reason. I especially find the music hilarious that plays during the first appearance of Superjerry! That's one "Mighty Mouse!" I love the epic boom, boom, boom, that plays as the Jerrynator stomps toward a horrified Tom! The music made me picture some old B-movie with some gigantic monster on the horizon that's coming closer! You know the kind, there's always some old general and some handsome scientist protecting some blonde scientist from the terrible threat that could end mankind as we know it! What I find weird, is that at the time all those old movies weren't quite so old just yet! Them drag-racing school jock guys in those red blazers were still taking there sweeties to drive-ins to see them! A possible parody? Okay, back to the toon, my favourite sight gag is when Tom whacks Jerry with the poker once then thrice, then poses to stare aghast at the Jerry indentations on the poker! It's the little things that always get me with these shows. In closing, I love all of this, the comical ambiance of the music, the potion, a souped-up Jerry and yes, like a few others that great zany ending that wraps things up so nicely! A real different and strange kind of Tom and Jerry and for me all the more brilliant for it. I've decided not to spoil the ending for anyone either, although I may already have done....Sorry about that!
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Mouse
(1947)
War of the colossal Jerry and the incredible shrinking Tom!
23 December 2012
Warning: Spoilers