Over the years when you talk about classic cartoons the conversation will invariably include a question along the lines of: "Disney or Warner Brothers?" It could take shape in a number of different forms, or even be disguised in a discussion of characters. In whatever directions the conversation goes, the other participant will be able to tell what side of the fence you fall on (much like other either/or conversations involving the likes of PC/Mac and Mets/Yankees). In my case, loyalties have always lay with Warner Brothers. I do love and respect classic Disney, but Warner Brothers is where I am really at. Sure, my depth of knowledge of toon names and directors is weak, but I know what I like. This leads to a surprise; I had never seen an episode of The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries until now.
I must say that the series is quite addictive. Once I started watching, I found it hard to turn the disk off. It is much the same case as the even more addictive Golden Collections of the true Warner Brothers classics (which are an absolute must have). As addictive as the show reveals itself to be, the DVD looks equally good. The colors are sharp and vivid, but with the occasional grain. I suspect these could look a bit better, but they look great as is. So, this two-disk, twelve-episode set has a nice one-two punch of quality content and quality presentation. Kind of hard to argue with that.
The show appeared on Saturday morning rosters way back in 1995, well after the Golden Age of the characters, but during a resurgence by both Warner Brothers and Disney in the half-hour cartoon market. This resurgence includes the likes of Tiny Toons, Animaniacs, Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers, and Ducktales. While those other shows easily overshadow the likes of this one, this quartet of characters is not to be ignored.
The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries brings together Sylvester the Cat and Tweety Bird (of course), along with Hector the Bulldog and Granny. Together, they do a little globetrotting as they solve mysteries. These mysteries include finding the stolen Blarney Stone in Ireland, a missing periscope, and a giant kidnapped tuna! Along the way a string of classic films are spoofed, including The Maltese Falcon in "The Maltese Canary," complete with Sam Spade and Peter Lorre, and Frank Capra films in "It Happened One Night Before Christmas."
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