Mouse in Manhattan (1945)

Directors:

Joseph Barbera
William Hanna

Release Date:

7 July 1945 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Animation | Comedy | Short

Tagline:

Glory! Glamour! MGM's Technicolor Triumph!

Plot:

Jerry decides he needs a vacation from the county and Tom so he leaves Tom a note and heads for New York City for some peace and quiet...

Plot Keywords:

City Country Contrast | Doll | Cartoon Cat | Tom And Jerry | Cat Versus Mouse

Also Known As:

Manhattan Serenade

Runtime:

8 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

UK:U | South Korea:All | USA:Approved (PCA #10782)

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Goofs:

Continuity: When Jerry takes the third placecard, her hair changes from red to blonde between shots.

Movie Connections:

Followed by Hatch Up Your Troubles (1949)

Soundtrack:

Broadway Rhythm

Very different, but one of the most beautiful

Being a life and forever-fan of silent film comedian Charles Chaplin's masterful work (CITY LIGHTS etc.), I have to say that this is one of the best pieces of work in animated cartoon's history. The crew behind the Tom & Jerry-shorts during the 40's and 50's were extremely talented cartoonists whose timing and unique interpretation of slapstick is arguably undisputed in the history of the medium.

I am not a big fan of animation in general, but I adored these classics as a child, and although I watch the films pretty rarely now, I can't really leave them. In fact, they make me laugh a lot more now than previously; I guess I've learned to appreciate the impressive technical aspects. By saying this I am by no means indicating that the true greatness of Tom & Jerry is found through technique; besides being cleverly made, the films starring the two incurable rivals are, plain simply, downright hilarious. Another significant fact to me is my admiration for silent comedy; I can hardly ignore what a huge amount of talent it cost when talkies arrived in the late in 1920's and unique talents, such as Buster Keaton, were forced out of their field and into another which they obviously didn't care for. Happily, the lovely slapstick was saved thanks to cartoons: and, according to my taste, Tom & Jerry succeeded best.

MOUSE IN MANHATTAN is, while very different concerning plot and atmosphere when comparing to other Tom & Jerry-shorts (Tom is actually hardly involved in the story at all, as Jerry is tired of living on a farm and decides to leave him forever, without being bitter, in order to move to the city), both among the team's funniest and most charming efforts, including some clever gags: two moments that come across my mind are the sequences in which Jerry mistakes a little doll for being a real lady, and the events in a dining hall.

Being a hopeless sentimental, I found lots of sentiment as well in MOUSE IN MANHATTAN; it's tempting to weep a bit while the wonderful Broadway-music plays in the background. This leads us to another factor I've always admired with Tom & Jerry: like Chaplin, the creators knew that a funny situation was not necessarily dependent on amusing music in the background. Much of the music included here is absolutely adorable.

I choose to not come up with any spoilers this time. MOUSE IN MANHATTAN is a highly enjoyable and sweet episode involving the funniest cat and mouse ever put onto the screen.