Watching Tom & Jerry as a kid, I never understood why the titular protagonists could never communicate beyond acts of violence and emotive grunts whereas the dog (whom I always called “Spike” - and I'm just now discovering that's his actual name) was a full-fledged character capable of speech and caring for a puppy son. Now, years later, I wonder less on this point, since I’m now conflicted as to whether it represents the writers’ belief that dogs are either less complex than mice and cats and thus incapable of conveying all emotions and ambitions through a series of facial tics and violence, or maybe it’s just the opposite and the writers inherently favored dogs and believed them more sophisticated than the two animals that made up the eternal struggle that entertained children in a weekly battle royale. Instead, I now I ponder a different question.
Based on the episodes in Tom and Jerry, Volume 1: Fur Flying Adventures, I can’t help but think that the writers of the show had a deep-seated disagreement with the notion that cats and dogs are mortal enemies. Tom and Jerry constantly bashing on one another makes it clear that they accept the mouse vs. cat trope that forms its basic premise, but when you take a look at the events leading up to clashes between Spike and Tom, you can’t help but think that the writers of Tom and Jerry believe mice to be at the center of all animal miscommunications. Every single time Spike and Tom come to blows, Jerry is usually (if not always to blame). And Jerry doesn’t care one bit that he’s creating this conflict. Jerry will disrupt Spike and his son in the middle of a barbeque or picnic if it means he might escape Tom’s efforts to eat him. He seems totally unconcerned that his hiding in Spike’s picnic basket or bag of charcoal causes Tom to interfere.
The episodes included here bring back some great memories as they feature the creative talents of cartoon legends like Chuck Jones and the legendary duo of Hanna Barbera. The art and backgrounds are elegantly simple but vivacious and easy on the eye. The most noticeable contrast is the evolution of Tom and Jerry both in appearance and temperament.
The 14 episodes in this volume:
“Barbecue Brawl”
Happy Go Ducky”
“Hic-cup Pup”
“Little Quacker”
“Rock n’ Rodent”
“Neapolitan Mouse”
“Pet Peeve”
“Pup on a Picnic”
“O-Solar-Meow”
“Robin Hoodwinked”
“Guided Mouse-ille”
“Timid Tabby”
“The Vanishing Duck”
“That’s My Mommy”
DVD Bonus Features
There are trailers for Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (highly recommended) and Tom & Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes, along with subtitles and alternate language tracks.
"Tom and Jerry, Volume 1: Fur Flying Adventures" is on sale March 8, 2011 and is not rated. Animation, Children & Family. Directed by Chuck Jones, Joseph Barbera, William Hanna.
