DVD Review: Tom and Jerry: Fur Flying Adventures, Volume 1 - Page 2

"That's My Mommy" (1955) Tom inadvertently helps to hatch Quacker's egg, but Quacker's declaration, "That's my mommy!" doesn't deter Tom from trying to barbecue or bake him in a pie. Luckily Jerry is around to help protect the miniature duckling.

"Barbecue Brawl" (1956) Spike, in his best Jimmy Durante imitation, and his son Tyke try to have a barbecue in the back yard. The dog/cat/mouse dynamic is less important here, as none of them are a match for an army (again) of ants.

"Timid Tabby" (1956) Tom's cousin George is afraid of mice and comes for a mouse-free visit. Boy, has he come to the wrong house.

"The Vanishing Duck" (1957) Tom's owner George buys Joan a present, Quacker the singing duck, and then takes Joan out for a night on the town. Tom wastes no time trying to catch and eat the tiny duck, who, with the aid of some vanishing cream, is able to hide in plain sight with new pal Jerry.

"Robin Hoodwinked" (1957) Jerry and his little friend Tuffy the mouse try to spring Robin Hod from prison, who is guarded by Tom the cat.

"Happy Go Ducky" (1958) In this Easter-themed cartoon Tom and Jerry fight over booty left by the Easter Bunny, including the cutest little duckling ever, "Quacker."

Chuck Jones' studio worked on 34 Tom and Jerry cartoons from 1963 to 1967. There are three samples of his signature style included here:

"Rock 'n" Rodent" (1967) Jerry is jamming with some jazzy mice and driving poor Tom, who just want a decent night's sleep, bonkers.

"O-Solar-Meow" (1967) Even in space the race to catch Jerry is on for Tom. The cartoon also attempts to answer the eternal question of whether the moon is made of cheese.

"Guided Mouse-ille" (1967) In the year 2565 Tom monitors all mouse activity at a control panel with the help of a robot dog and cat. Do you think these space age helpers are really a match for Jerry the mouse?

The fun in Tom and Jerry: Fur Flying Adventures is in watching the chase, and Tom and Jerry never seem to tire of each other's company, just as these cartoons never seem to get old. It's hard not to root a little for Tom to catch Jerry, although I'm sure he wouldn't know what to do with him if he ever did.

Article Author: xoxoxoe

My name is Elizabeth Periale. I am an artist, blogger, and culture critic. I write about movies, books, television, pop culture—old and new—with a feminine/feminist perspective.

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