William Hanna and Joseph Barbera established the American animated media phenomenon Tom and Jerry in 1940, along with a series of comedic short films. The series, most known for its 161 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer theatrical short films, is centered on the rivalry between the main characters, a mouse named Jerry and a cat named Tom.
Plot
A house cat named Tom and a mouse named Jerry engage in comedic combat in this series, which centers on their iconic foes. Every short film usually revolves around Tom’s multiple attempts to apprehend Jerry and the chaos and devastation that ensues. It’s uncommon that Tom manages to capture Jerry, mostly due to Jerry’s intelligence, slyness, and good fortune. In other instances, though, they have shown sincere camaraderie and concern for one another’s welfare.
Tom and Jerry Main Characters
Tom Cat
Anthropomorphic blue/grey Thomas “Tom” Cat made his film debut in the 1940 animated short Puss Gets the Boot. While making his screen debut in that short, Tom was referred to as “Jasper”; nevertheless, from his subsequent appearance in The Midnight Snack onward, he is referred to as “Tom”.
Mouse Jerry
Brown and anthropomorphic, Jerry Mouse made his film debut as an unidentified mouse in the 1940 MGM animated short Puss Gets the Boot. William Hanna revealed the mouse’s original name as “Jinx” years later, but Joseph Barbera maintained the mouse was named nothing at all when he made his debut.
Recurring characters
- Spike and Tyke – Spike is a British bulldog that is tough but sometimes stupid. He dislikes cats, although he is gentle with mice and eventually his kid Tyke. Jerry frequently tried to get Tom into problems with Spike in the shorts, making the bulldog a surefire target for a thrashing. Tom tries to take advantage of Spike’s weaknesses: his ticklishness and his possessiveness over his bone. Tyke remains mute in the show. His only means of expression are yapping, growling, whimpering, and wagging his tail.
- Butch – Butch, an alley cat in black and white, debuted in the Tom and Jerry series in 1943, short with Topsy and the well-known Meathead. The alley cat bullies, led by Butch, are typically instrumental in helping Tom apprehend Jerry.
- Toodles Galore – Tom is rumored to be in love with an adorable white female cat named Toodles Galore. Even so, Tom is known for being a playboy and has dated other women before and after Toodles. The only romantic interest to make multiple appearances is Toodles, who is also likely the most beloved.
- Mammy Two Shoes – Tom also must cope with Mammy Two Shoes, an African-American domestic housemaid inspired by Hattie McDaniel, who Lillian Randolph voices from the start. Mammy is shown as the maid who looks after Tom and Jerry’s frequently lavish home.
- Nibbles and Tuffy – A mouse named Tuffy is good friends with Jerry and often appears alongside him, particularly in the comic books. Though sometimes called an orphan, he is sometimes recognized as Jerry’s nephew.
- Quacker – Little Quacker the Duckling was another character that appeared frequently in the series.
- Meathead – In the 1943 short Sufferin’ Cats!, this mangy, brown, and generally dim-witted cat made his debut as Tom’s adversary.
- Others – Cousin Muscles, Cuckoo, Lightning, Topsy, George and Joan, Jeannie and Cousin George
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