Sunday, February 22, 2015

Cat and Mouse Games: The History of Tom and Jerry (Part 6)

The next time William Hanna and Joesph Barbera would get hold of the cat and mouse who first cemented their names in animation history it would work out better. This show was Tom and Jerry Kids and premiered in 1990. Tom and Jerry were once again antagonists. While the violence was heavily toned down from the original shorts it was still there. The slapstick humor could not match that of the classic cartoons, but it still had it's own charm and wit. This show was a kid's show however, and not the all ages entertainment that was the original shorts. That doesn't mean this show would be torture for adults watching (as something like Dora, or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse would be), in facts adults can enjoy it, however it is much more entertaining for kids than for adults. This show also featured segments staring another MGM cartoon star Droopy. As much as I love Droopy, these cartoons make you wish his cartoons were still being done by Tex Avery, and his voice was still being done by Bill Thomson (No offense to Don Messick, who was in fact a great voice actor, it just that Bill Thomson was Droopy). The Droopy segment later got it's own spin off called Droopy Master Detective in 1993.

 In 1992 Tom and Jerry would make their return to the big screen in a feature length film called Tom and Jerry: The Movie. This film was produced by the company Film Roman, which was founded by animator Phil Roman, who actually worked as an animator on the Chuck Jones era Tom and Jerry. Phil Roman also directed this movie. Film Roman is also the company that bring us The Simpsons. Despite the title, Tom and Jerry: The Movie, the main problem with this film is it is not truly a Tom and Jerry Movie. Of all the revivals of Tom and Jerry, this one bares the least resemblance to the classic cartoons. In this Rescuers-esque plot Tom and Jerry help a little girl find her father, and there is little slapstick humor. This is simply not the movie fans of the cat and mouse wanted for their feature length debut. As a stand alone movie this movie is entertaining but largely forgettable. This was in fact not the first time Tom and Jerry were considered as subjects for a feature. Chuck Jones was going to make one in the 1970's, however he could not find a suitable script.

....To Be Continued

-Michael J. Ruhland

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