Tom und ich im Training

Tom and Jerry, like Disney and Looney Tunes, were a huge part of my childhood, ever since seeing the entire collection at my sister's now deceased godfather's house when I was about 5 or 6. Dog Trouble was one of the first T&J cartoons, that particular era for T&J cartoons were very interesting and are well made and fun but there is the sense that they were still trying to find their feet. You do get that vibe here in Dog Trouble with the routine story and a rather crudely drawn Spike(coincidentally in his first collaboration with the duo). However, the rest of the animation in Dog Trouble is great, the colours are luscious and the backgrounds show detail and fluidity. The music is one of my personal favourites of the early T&J cartoons, just love the trombone motif, the musical laugh idea I have seen a fair bit when it comes to animation but still worked very well here. The gags are as ever physical humour-based, they come thick and fast and are funny, while the chase sequences while not the most original on the block still add to the not-too-rushed-but-never-a-bore pace of Dog Trouble. I also loved the characterisations, Tom is showing a crafty side here, Spike is at his most dog-like and Jerry still is endearing but clever. All in all, very good, just not among Tom and Jerry's best. 8/10 Bethany Cox

An excellent episode of Tom and Jerry, Dog Trouble sees the famous arch-enemies team up to fight a common foe: Spike, a snarling, toothy bulldog whose sole purpose in life seems to be to chase anything that moves and try to eat it.

After a little 'cat and mouse' action (natch) from the world's greatest cat and mouse, this episode really gets going when Spike joins in on the fun, after being disturbed whilst napping (a common theme in later T&J cartoons). Tom and Jerry become trapped by the dog and, on realising that they are both in the same predicament, put aside their differences to plan their escape.

This one is pure class, and anyone who doesn't find the sight of Spike leaping through the air to try and snap at Tom's tail extremely funny needs to get their sense of humour an overhaul. Top animation, a great soundtrack, and wonderful characterisation all go to make this an better-than-average episode.

Dog Trouble (1942)

*** (out of 4)

Tom and Jerry are once again fighting, chasing each other and causing all sorts of trouble but their problems get a lot bigger when Tom accidentally crashes into a large dog. Soon the dog is chasing not only Tom but also Jerry so the two must form a bond to try and take care of the dog. Once again there's a lot of nice imagination on display here from Hanna and Barbara and as you'd expect the animation is extremely good. When one watches a short from Tom and Jerry you expect laughs and action and we get plenty of both here. The highlight is certainly the scene where Tom finds himself on top a clock tricking the dog into jumping after him while Jerry sets up their plan. The "woof" sounds from the dog are also great. If you're a fan of the series then this here is another winner.

Tom and Jerry are doing their usual chasing-around-the-house/cat tail in a mousetrap antics when Tom slams right into the sleeping big bulldog later to be known as Spike. Angery at being woken from his peaceful sleep, he chases after the cat and mouse, forcing them to team up to defeat him.

Jerry sets the trap while Tom uses himself as bait, soon enough the house is trashed and Spike is thrown out. Really simple stuff with only some slight invention. Mammy-Two-Shoes makes an appearance, but chances are you'll see the PC version in which she is unnatually re-dubbed to sound less 'racist'. Whatever!

Tom and Jerry teams up again, this time to deal with Spike, the mean, ruthless bulldog which happens to be in Mammy Two-Shoe's house. Tom and Jerry seems to always have a love-hate friend relationship going on, but it works in these cartoons and make the stories unpredictable and unique. Lots of fun here.

Grade B+