The Van Beuren Tom and Jerry (as said already not the famous cat and mouse, this is a human duo that lasted for just under 30 cartoons, 29 if memory serves correct, between 1931 and 1933) series was interesting but uneven and not easy to rate as an overall whole. At the series' best, the cartoons were good, very good in a few cases. At its worst, they were really bad.
'A Spanish Twist' is in the better half of the "human" Tom and Jerry cartoon series on the whole. Not one of their best like 'Wot a Night', as far as previous cartoons go, but nowhere near as painful to watch as 'Plane Dumb'. It is not a classic by any stretch of the imagination and there are better bullfighting cartoons around, but it entertains enough and it's noteworthy for showing the 18th amendment abolishing alcohol being lifted, more than a year before it actually was in real life. The story is slight and some of the timing is sloppy. The animation continues to not be great, or even good.
Some nice background detail and synchronisation, but the simplistic, static look is not appealing, with primitive character designs for Tom and Jerry and the Spanish dancers faring even worse.
As to be expected, the music is outstanding. Even in the worst Tom and Jerry cartoons it was the best asset. It is so beautifully and cleverly orchestrated and full of energy, doing so well with enhancing the action.
Much of the bullfight action is entertaining, and 'A Spanish Twist' does incorporate some nice Spanish flavour as well as the fun absurdist strangeness of some of the gags. This style of humour is not always maintained, due to the timing being inconsistent but it's very nicely done when it works.
Energy is not always consistent but it's lively enough most of the time and while the gags are not exactly inventive they are mostly amusing. The supporting characters are fun and Tom and Jerry are not too bland.
In summation, decent. 7/10 Bethany Cox
