Tom and Jerry

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Tom and Jerry is an American animated series created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. It centers on the rivalry between its two title characters, Tom Cat and Jerry Mouse, and many recurring characters, based around slapstick comedy. The original series is notable for having won seven Academy Awards for Animated Short Film, tying it with Walt Disney's Silly Symphonies as the animated series with the most Oscars. Tom and Jerry first premiered in 1940 and was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) film studio, becoming one of the most popular, enduring, and influential series in the history of animation.

Plot and Characters

The plot of Tom and Jerry episodes typically involves Tom attempting to catch Jerry, and the chaos and destruction that follows. Tom rarely succeeds in catching Jerry, mainly because of Jerry's cleverness, cunning abilities, and luck. Despite the frequent violence, there is no blood or gore in the series. The show is known for its silent comedy; Tom and Jerry seldom speak.

Main Characters

• Tom Cat is a blue/grey domestic shorthair cat. He is usually but not always, portrayed as living a comfortable or even pampered life, while Jerry is a small, brown house mouse who always lives in close proximity to him.
• Jerry Mouse is characterized by his cleverness, cunning, and ability to outsmart Tom.

Recurring Characters

• Spike, a burly bulldog who is often an ally of Jerry and a foe to Tom.
• Tyke, Spike's son, who looks up to his father and is also friendly with Jerry.
• Butch, a black alley cat who is sometimes Tom's rival and sometimes his friend.
• Toodles Galore, a white, female cat who is Tom's love interest.
• Mammy Two Shoes, a stereotypical African-American woman whose face is rarely seen. She is the owner of Tom in many of the early episodes.

Production

The series was created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, who wrote and directed one hundred and fourteen Tom and Jerry shorts for the MGM cartoon studio between 1940 and 1958. After the MGM cartoon studio closed in 1957, production was outsourced to Rembrandt Films in Eastern Europe under the supervision of Gene Deitch until 1962. Later, production resumed in Hollywood under Chuck Jones' Sib-Tower 12 Productions until 1967.

Legacy

Tom and Jerry has had a significant impact on popular culture and has been referenced in various forms of media. The series has spawned numerous feature films, television specials, and spin-offs, including The Tom and Jerry Show, Tom and Jerry Kids, and Tom and Jerry Tales. The characters have also been featured in comic books, video games, and live-action films.

The series is celebrated for its influence on comedy, animation, and entertainment. It has been praised for its innovative animation techniques and the ability to convey humor without the need for dialogue. Despite controversies over racial stereotypes, which have led to some episodes being edited or pulled from television syndication, Tom and Jerry remains a beloved classic.