The Tom and Jerry series consists of 163 shorts produced and released between 1940 and 2005. Of these, 162 are theatrical shorts while one is a made-for-TV short, subsequently released in theatres.
1940–1958: Hanna-Barbera/MGM cartoons
William Hanna (right) and Joseph Barbera (left) in 1965
The following 114 cartoons were directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer cartoon studio in Hollywood, Los Angeles. All cartoons were released to theaters by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Rudolf Ising was the producer of Puss Gets the Boot; subsequent cartoons were produced by Fred Quimby through 1955. Quimby retired in 1955 and from 1955 to 1957, Hanna and Barbera produced the shorts until MGM closed the cartoon studio in 1957, and the last cartoon was released in 1958.[1] Most of these cartoons were produced in the standard Academy ratio (1.37:1). Four cartoons were produced for both Academy Ratio and CinemaScope formats (2.55:1, later 2.35:1). Finally, 19 cartoons were produced in widescreen CinemaScope format only (though reissues have the standard Academy ratio 1.37:1 instead).
Like the other studios, MGM reissued and edited its cartoons when re-released to theaters. Many pre-1951 cartoons were reissued with Perspecta Sound, which was introduced in 1954. MGM also reissued its cartoons before the introduction of Perspecta Sound. Because of the 1965 MGM vault fire, all original negatives of pre-September-1951 MGM cartoons are lost, leaving only backup nitrate film prints (usually the altered reissue prints), although some production artwork relating to the missing material has survived, like pencil sketches.[2]
Tom and Jerry's first cartoon. Tom (here named Jasper) tries to stop the mouse Jerry (here unnamed) from breaking plates and glasses before the maid can kick Jasper out.
First appearances of Tom (as Jasper), Jerry (as the unnamed mouse), and the housekeeper (never given a name). First Tom and Jerry cartoon nominated for an Academy Award for Best Short Subject, Cartoon.
Tom gets to know the spirit of giving when he begins to feel guilty after blockading the front door, trapping Jerry outside in the cold on Christmas Eve.
When the housekeeper kicks Tom out of the house after Jerry frames him, the mouse enjoys his freedom without Tom until he gets lonesome. They work together to prove Tom's worth as a mouse-catcher to the housekeeper.
Tom inherits a million dollars on one condition: He must avoid causing harm to any animal, which Jerry uses to his advantage.
Scott Bradley received the only music credit for this short, but examination of the archived orchestral score bears the inscription, "Adapted by Ted Duncan". As Barrier has remarked in Hollywood Cartoons, this score is very unlike Bradley's other work of the period, since it "sounds like ordinary dance-band music, related only tenuously to the cartoon action". It seems plausible that Duncan adapted the score from pre-existing songs because Bradley was unavailable, and the latter received credit for contractual reasons.[7]
Tom sneaks up to Toodles' house to sing love songs to her at night.
1947
No.
Title
Date
Summary
Notes
27
Cat Fishin'
February 22, 1947
Tom goes fishing using Jerry as bait and deals with watchdog Spike.
28
Part Time Pal
March 15, 1947
The housekeeper warns Tom to keep Jerry out of the refrigerator or she'll throw him out, but Tom accidentally becomes repeatedly drunk and befriends Jerry.
Won an Academy Award for Best Short Subject, Cartoon.[10] In 1994, it was voted No. 42 of the 50 Greatest Cartoons of all time by members of the animation field, the only Tom and Jerry cartoon to make the list.[11]
30
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Mouse
June 14, 1947
Tom tries to prevent Jerry from drinking his milk by poisoning it, but his plan completely backfires when the poison transforms Jerry into a monster.
After a muddy Tom chases Jerry through the house, the housekeeper forces the cat to clean the house. While she is gone, Jerry sabotages Tom's efforts.
Blackface gag removed from television and omitted from DVD until 2025 due to racial stereotyping.[13]
1949
No.
Title
Date
Summary
Notes
39
Polka-Dot Puss
February 26, 1949
Tom convinces the housekeeper that he is too sick to go outside. He stays in the house until Jerry paints red dots all over Tom's face to trick him into thinking he has caught the measles.
After a piano flattens Tom while he attempts to catch Jerry, Tom is refused entry to cat heaven due to his record of trying to harm Jerry. To save himself from Hell, Tom must have Jerry sign a certificate of forgiveness within one hour.
After the housekeeper goes out with her friends, Tom invites three of his feline friends: Butch, Lightning, and Topsy over for a party with loud music, which disturbs Jerry, who is trying to sleep.
Only (albeit brief) time that the face of housekeeper is shown. Rereleased in Perspecta Stereo in 1957. Rereleased to television in the mid-1960s with housekeeper replaced by a white teenage female, which this version exists on one of the early Tom and Jerry Cartoon Festival video releases[15] and The Art of Tom and Jerry LaserDisc.
49
Texas Tom
March 11, 1950
Tom tries to woo a cowgirl cat.
Rereleased in Perspecta Stereo in 1957.
50
Jerry and the Lion
April 8, 1950
Jerry promises to return an escaped circus lion to the African jungle.
Only appearance of Lion. Rereleased in Perspecta Stereo in 1957.
