Garfield on the Town (1983 TV Short) User Reviews

The best. A very emotional Garfield

[rebeljenn · 8/10 · 25 November 2005]

'Garfield on the Town' was my favourite Garfield film. I saw it when I was very young, and I always felt very sad when Garfield goes back to the place where he was brought up as a kitten, and he remembers everything about this place (and his mother) and recalls how it used to be and how it has now changed. It's a very emotional scene, and you really do get to see another side to Garfield beyond the funny comments and the laid-back attitude.

I don't think the film had too much more to offer, sadly, than this scene. At least, the rest of it is not very memorable. I first saw this when I was about five-years-old - when it was first on television. I saw it a few years after that, and besides the scene where Garfield visits his old place, I don't think it had much more to offer.

I cannot say whether or not I recommend it. I can just state that I did enjoy it, and it was a very memorable film to me.

Garfield gets emotional

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 11 January 2019]

Find the character of Garfield, 'Garfield and Friends' and his specials to be even better now than as a child. Really liked to loved them then, still do and am not saying this out of nostalgia. Have stressed the point a few times of not all my childhood favourites holding up. Have found the humour funnier and cleverer as an adult and have found more things to like and invested emotionally more, the main reasons why the character, 'Garfield and Friends' and his specials still have appeal today.

'Garfield on the Town' is not for me one of the best Garfield specials (all of which worth watching at least once, so that is not in any way a knock). It is still very good and very enjoyable, with it being nice to see a different side to everyone's favourite orange cat and in terms of tone, but misses the extra something of the best ones. Again not a knock, because saying that is only meaning that the best ones are so great with a high standard hard to live up to. Do have a personal preference for the holiday specials as far as Garfield goes, especially 'A Garfield Christmas Special' and 'Garfield in Disguise', both quintessential when it comes to things to watch on Christmas and Halloween and essential Garfield.

Other Garfield specials are funnier when it comes to the humour, approach their subject more imaginatively and perhaps more refined in terms of animation.

That is not saying that the animation is poor, far from it. It is still bright and colourful with some nice detail, just that the drawing and movement have been smoother elsewhere. Cannot fault the music, which is incredibly infectious and hard to forget, complete with clever lyrics. "The Claws" is one of my favourite songs of any of the Garfield specials.

Humour is still playful and classic Garfield, but it is the emotion that sets 'Garfield on the Town' apart from the other specials. On top of being charming and nostalgic, 'Garfield on the Town' has a lot of heart and is likely to evoke tears (the reminiscing has always done with me), with being saccharine or over-sentimental. Garfield is still an immensely likeable character, with a different side to him and some proper character development, and Lorenzo Music was born to voice him and hasn't been equalled or bettered since.

In summation, very enjoyable and heartfelt. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Cool for Cats

[soymilk · 8/10 · 3 July 2005]

Everybody's favourite overweight, lazy, cynical, lasagne-loving, Monday-loathing, orange-striped feline (one of many reasons why Garfield stands as such an unrivalled creation – have you ever seen such a unique combination of character traits?) received his second TV outing back in 1983 in this endearing tale of family unity and survival. Having been separated from his owner Jon Arbuckle and lost out on the streets of the city, where the local strays will defend their territory to the finish, Garfield has mixed experiences when he runs afoul with one particularly aggressive gang of moggies, only to be taken in and sheltered by another, much more lax group who, as it turns out, have a flesh-and-blood connection to him. But although his mother, who Garfield hasn't seen since his days as a kitten, is keen to welcome him, reservations soon arise as to whether or not our leading cat could ever fit in with the rest of his impoverished clan.

Admittedly, I've never really found any instalment in Garfield's TV special canon to be quite as dazzling as his equivalent adventures in the series 'Garfield and Friends' – the stories there were a lot shorter, but usually managed to pack in a lot more wit, charm and imagination to boot (although 'Garfield goes Hollywood', which almost felt like it could have been an extended segment of 'GaF', came extremely close). That said, 'On the Town' is still a fun and timeless 30-minute delight, made memorable by its touching story, pleasant music, playful humour, and, most crucially of all, an utterly inspired back-alley showdown between Garfield and a taunting purple stray (which consists mostly of flailing about and sizing each other up back and forth – and Garfield's problems with his claws and his shadow come as brilliant touches). The animation too is as about as high in quality as you'd expect from a project of this nature – basic, but clean, rounded and very easy on the eye; an improvement on that used in his debut special 'Here Comes Garfield' (which still succeeded in terms of heart and story), and better even than a handful of his later adventures like 'In the Rough' and 'In Disguise'. There are some technical glitches which keep things from running completely smoothly, including a rather awkward moment where Garfield's grandfather is moving his head and finger like he should be saying something, but nothing at all comes out (I assume it arose from a slip-up in the editing department). Also, has anyone else noticed that when the purple cat sings, he sounds nothing like he does when he talks? Well, I guess it's the kind of minor detail which only someone as insecure and nit-picky as me would make that big a thing out of…after all, these Garfield specials never aimed to be anything more than an enjoyable, light-hearted exercise in charm and entertainment for all the family, and this one certainly gets that job done well enough, so why try to find a huge deal of fault with it? Besides, I really owe too much to Garfield for all the times he's made me smile throughout my lifetime – and 'On the Town' is no exception. It features Liz at her most devilishly catty. The flashback sequence is handled perfectly. And the last few moments are absolutely wonderful.

Grade: A-

Garfield goes back to his roots

[dynamite_xi · 6 August 2002]

This is a great story that really takes Garfield back to his humble beginnings in an Italian restaurant.

Garfield is separated from Jon after a battle NOT to visit the vet. Pretty soon he finds himself stranded in the middle of an urban jungle, filled with dangers hitherto unknown to him.

After running into a gang of surly alley cats, Garfield hides out in an old building, where he meets his long, lost mother! After a brief reunion and a trip down memory lane, he meets his large family, who are known for being "mousers" (not Garfield's type).

Later on, the evil cat gang finds Garfield, and a large fight ensues. The good cats win, and Garfield is faced with a dilemma: stay with his newfound family or go home. It has a good ending.

I give this movie a 7 out of 10. Go Garfield!

Down and out cat.

[CuriosityKilledShawn · 10/10 · 10 July 2004]

We all know how much Garfield hates going to the vet. So after wrecking Jon's house the fat cat is dragged, kicking and screaming, into the car. But even on the way there Garfield can't sit a peace. Until he falls out of the window and into the busy street.

He quickly learns that freedom from Jon and life on the streets isn't all fun and games. No one is kind to him, he's cold and quickly hungry. So when he dips into a smelly garbage can he's met with hostility from a punk alley cat.

Being house cat and used to home comforts, Garfield cannot match the aggression of this alley cat. More so when a hundred of them (looking more like the Critters from the movie of the same name, than alley cats) come after him.

Garfield takes refuge in an old building which just happens to be Italian Restaurant where he was born. There he meets him mother and the rest of his family. Tho he doesn't belong. And Garfield learns that his real family is Jon and Odie.

It's a very sweet natured story and the ending is cute and touching. There is a good reason why it won an Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program.

My favorite Garfield Special

[ja_kitty_71 · 10/10 · 4 October 2009]

Garfield is one of my favorite comics, and as a 24-year-old woman, I do not remember the other Garfield TV specials, except for the holiday ones; my favorite is Garfield's Halloween Adventure. I did buy the DVD "Garfield as Himself," which features the three TV specials: Here Comes Garfield (the first Garfield TV special), Garfield on the Town, and Garfield Gets a Life. And after watching all three, I found that I love Garfield on the Town the most.

In this special, Garfield gets lost in the city and encounters the Claws, an unfriendly alley cat gang. He confronts the leader and runs away to an abandoned restaurant, where he meets his long-lost mother. The family, including his maternal grandfather, half-brother Raoul, and cousin Sly, are all mouse-catchers. The Claws surround the building, demanding Garfield come out for offending them.

I love the animation for this special. It came from the famous Peanuts cartoon team of Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson, giving it a similar look. I also like Lou Rawls and Desiree Goyette doing the songs. And one last thing: I think Garfield's mom is pretty.

"We bad! We the boss!"

[utgard14 · 7/10 · 10 September 2016]

I had completely forgotten this TV special from my childhood until coming across it online. This one has Garfield stranded in the city, where he's accosted by a gang of tough street cats named The Claws. Running for his nine lives, Garfield is rescued by a female cat who turns out to be his mother. From there we get some touching moments, which the Garfield specials I've seen were always good at, and a life lesson or two. I especially like how one particular plot point doesn't go the way you might expect. It's a good cartoon with nice simplistic animation, fun songs (The Claws' theme is a classic), and a story with humor and heart. Definitely worth a look, even if you're not an avid Garfield fan.

Another good Garfield animated cartoon!

[Movie Nuttball · 10/10 · 2 May 2003]

This is really a different Garfield animated film!It is quite emotional when the lasagna eating fat cat meets up with his mom!The short is very funny as is all Garfield cartoons.I really like the Garfield cartoons as they are some of My favorite animated cartoons!If you have a chance to see it don't pass it up because its very good!

Garfield's second TV movie.

[emasterslake · 7/10 · 23 October 2006]

One year since "Here comes Garfield".

In "Garfield on the Town", Garfield has wrecked and cause his owner Jon enough trouble, that he decides to take him to the vet for punishment.

On the way Garfield ended up getting out of the car when Jon turn to the next corner. Now Garfield is free to roam the streets as he please.

One night, he decides to get something to eat from the dumpsters, only to find a punk cat who tells him he's invading his territory. Garfield shows him who's boss, but doesn't realize that the cat is part of a Gang of Cats called the Claws. Who soon become Garfield's new enemy.

Garfield makes a run for it, and ends up in an old building, which he meets face to face with another cat, who turns out to be his long lost mother. Garfield was over joy to see his own mom again.

In this TV movie, we learn a little bit of Garfield's family, and the day he was still a kitten. The animation is similar to the previous one and has some good voice acting. Hats down to Lorenzo Music.

With plenty of emotional moments, humor, and songs. This is another must for Garfield fans.

A very entertaining Garfield cartoon!

[astro_92 · 10/10 · 20 July 2005]

Garfield on the Town is a fantastic animated special! The program was first broadcast when I was a toddler but I own the DVD containing the title so I can enjoy the interesting Garfield cartoon whenever I wish. This particular one is perhaps the most fascinating Garfield special I have seen out of all of those that were ever made.

Garfield on the Town is amusing for many reasons. The special features a gang of ruthless felines, the CLAWS, led by the self-absorbed Ali, who has a huge appetite for violence. When Garfield is on the streets and gets hungry, he crosses paths with Ali and his gang of vicious, greedy, arrogant, and sadistic cats. Once Garfield realizes that he can't defend himself against this evil group, he decides to hide in an old abandoned building. There he is reunited with his mother and grandfather and is reminded that he was born in what used to be an Italian restaurant. I got real teary-eyed when Garfield reminisces about his earlier years. When the CLAWS gang finds out where Garfield is hiding they demand that the family give him up or be beaten to a bloody pulp. They fail to realize that Garfield's family is very tough and strong and will not tolerate bullies. In the end, Ali and the rest of the CLAWS get their butts kicked and then disappear. I would have to imagine that the CLAWS disbanded and left town never to be heard from ever again! I was overjoyed when the CLAWS were defeated by the good cats, Garfield and his loving (though rather eccentric) family.

Emotional

[safenoe · 10/10 · 23 May 2022]

Who said cartoons can't be emotional? Garfield on the Town is very emotional with Garfield meeting his long-lost mom. I almost cried when Garfield remembered his time growing up with mom and feeding on lasagna.

Bill Murray would be proud.

I love Garfield. He's great again in this great story

[spenrh · 10/10 · 5 February 2020]

I've been reading the Garfield strips and books since I was a kid. I collected his books (which contained each year of his strip), #1 through around #19 or #20 at the time.

"Garfield on the town" is another great story with our favorite lasagna and nap loving, and Odie and Jon teasing cat. The beginning has a few quirky lines when Jon's upset about Garfield and Odie tearing up the living room (Jon: "look at this room! A one way ticket to the pound sounds like a great idea! Right now, even taxidermy sounds terrific!"). Of course, because it's Jon, none of those comments contain any real threats. Except for Jon taking Garfield to the vet. I found it interesting how Jon's reason this time was because Garfield was acting hyper and how that wasn't normal, for HIM. Of all the times in the strip when Jon got on Garfield's case to stop being lazy, he's worried once he sees that he's not. And that, has a ring of truth to real life, sudden changes in someone from their norm is often a curiosity.

This story momentarily has a similarity to "Garfield's Thanksgiving" with Jon wanting to drag Garfield to the vet. But because Garfield is much better than tv shows or movies which start repeating formulas, this story takes a very different turn enroute to the vet than the Thanksgiving special did. Unlike there, Garfield doesn't make it to the vet. While perched on top of the car seat, he then falls out of the open car window while Jon turns a corner.

The story remains original from the other Specials once Garfield is alone on the city streets, he's excited at first. He then tries but fails to attract some lady cats. Then he runs into an alley cat who does not like him wandering into his alley. The two start going at it (him calling Garfield "Puffball" and "Lardball"), and I've noticed how they both looked to be an equal match in strength and aggressiveness, and Garfield even momentarily sends the alley cat running. The tables turn when Garfield finds the alley cat with about 20 other cats all bigger and tougher looking than him, and that the alley cat is an accepted member of that big gang, and that they now all have it in for Garfield for wandering into their territory and chasing off one of their members/brothers. Funny gag then with Garfield's shadow running off before him (Garfield to his shadow: "good idea, wait for me").

The big cat gang chases Garfield around a corner and Garfield jumps through a boarded window before the other cats turn that same corner and see where he jumped to. Then comes the touching part of Garfield meeting his mother for the first time since he was a kitten and them both remenincing over their mother/kitten relationship years ago when the now closed Italian restaurant was still in business, and kitten Garfield first developed his life long love of lasagna and pasta.

Garfield meets his other family members and his tough grandfather, who are all mousers and don't understand Garfield not being one. They don't fully accept him, find that he's soft, and resent him for having an easier life where he can get away with laziness, and have an owner who feeds and takes care of him. They all live in a boarded up building on the city streets relying on their daily food being the next mouse they chase and catch. However, they don't dismiss Garfield completely and do team together to help fight off the alley cat gang after a couple of the members peek through the boards and see Garfield in there. After defeating the gang, and the family seeing how they all fought off the gang while Garfield cowarded in the corner, Grandpa tells Garfield to go home, that he doesn't belong there. And most of the rest of the family feel exactly the same as Grandpa because Garfield's too soft, lazy, and spoiled. His mother is the only one with a true unconditional love for him without the resentment the rest of the family feel. She too tells him to go back home, but that's only because she knows that he'll be unhappy staying somewhere where he's not accepted by the majority, where he has to live a tougher life he can't handle, and that he has a much more comfortable home waiting for him. Each moment between Garfield and his mother was touching.

And, Garfield does have a concerned Jon waiting for him and very happy to see him return. I once wondered why Garfield messes with Jon the way he does in alot of the strip, when he's provided him with such a comfortable easy life. But, I have realized since how Garfield never means any deeper hurt or offense towards Jon, and that he does indeed love his owner and has always greatly appreciated how well he's taken care of him.

Peter Venkman lives the city life

[lee_eisenberg · 17 October 2011]

When I was really little, I always thought that "Garfield on the Town" was really funny. As I aged, I thought less of it. Of course, I like the thought of someone's reconnection with his roots (such as Garfield's growing up in an Italian restaurant). What's really cool to me nowadays is knowing that Garfield's voice artist was Lorenzo Music, who was also the original voice artist of Peter Venkman (Bill Murray's character) on "The Real Ghostbusters"*. In all, Music was a sarcastic, lasagna-loving cat hunting evil spirits! Anyway, this movie isn't really anything special, unless you look at it from the perspective of retracing ones roots.

*Incidentally, Bill Murray provided Garfield's voice in the 2004 movie.