Zur Hölle mit Tom

I just sat back and laughed and enjoyed this different Tom and Jerry cartoon, a story that humorously portrays their depiction of heaven and hell and who determines where you wind up.

It wasn't totally different. We had the obligatory chase scene, right off the bat, which proves to be Tom's undoing as he gets killed when a piano crashes into him. Tom discovers, through the kindly conductor of the "Heavenly Express" up in the clouds, that the only way he will avoid hell (where Butch is waiting for him!) is to get Jerry's "signature of forgiveness."

Tom returns to his house and has one hour to get that signature, or he's toast.....and you know Jerry isn't going to make it easy for him.

This was a funny episode and refreshing change from the normal seven minutes of chase scenes. This had a unique angle to it and some comedic visuals that went with it. There also was - I hope people caught this - a social/ moral comment about people abusing little kittens

It's not hard to get tired of the bad reputation cats have been given in animated cartoons (Warner Brothers had Pussyfoot as a sympathetic feline, but that's one of the few). They seem to serve only as punching bags for dogs and persecutors of mice and birds. In this cartoon, we have Tom threatened with condemnation to an animal version of Christian hell populated, of course, by devil dogs, and for what? For following his instincts, nothing more. If Christians can be condemned for following their instincts, there must not be many of them in their version of heaven.

Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield, perhaps said it best: "Way down under, we're all motivated by the same urges. Cats have the courage to live by theirs." Seeing the way Hanna and Barbera always cast Tom as the endless oppressor and the foil for Jerry's sadistic manipulation makes me want to do two things: watch only Chuck Jones Tom & Jerry cartoons, where the motivations were distilled to their purest essence (the chase for its own sake) and to go find a few mice for my own cats to play with while I watch and cheer them on.

'Heavenly Puss (1949)' is a 'Tom & Jerry' short that sees the former crushed by a piano and sent to the pearly gates, where he is told he has an hour to obtain a signature of forgiveness from his mouse mate in order to board the 'heavenly express'. The piece feels somewhat different to most others in its series. It seems, in a way, more character-driven and self-aware. The thing is almost like the creators are saying "don't worry, they're friends really". Still, this more story-focused approach isn't bad. While the affair has less inventive sight-gags than we're used to, it still has its fair share of funny moments. It also has a good heart at its centre. It's an enjoyable short. 7/10

Fatally crushed by a piano while pursuing Jerry, Tom must be assessed before being permitted to ride the Heavenly Express; rather than being congratulated for his mouse chasing efforts, he is told that he has one hour to seek Jerry's forgiveness or he will forever be condemned to Hell.

After a couple of fun but relatively uninspired capers—The Little Orphan and Hatch Up Your Troubles—it's nice to see the people behind Tom and Jerry at least trying something a little different for a change, even if it isn't a wholly successful idea. The basic premise—that Tom would be punished for all eternity just for following his natural instincts—is admittedly daft, but it's a lot of fun to see Tom begging Jerry to sign his name while the devil (Butch the Bulldog) prepares a bubbling pot of brimstone in Hell.

Of course, it all ends up being a dream, and thus a bit of a cop-out, but it's fun while it lasts. Plus, it has a gag about drowned kittens in a sack—not something you see every day in a cartoon!

Tom the cat gets killed by a falling piano and ascends to cat heaven via escalator. But upon arriving at the pearly gates, the gatekeeper tells him that he needs to get Jerry the mouse to sign a document saying that he forgives Tom all the times that he chased after him. If Jerry doesn't sign it Tom has to spend eternity in hell. So naturally Tum is scared out of his cat skull and tries with all his might to get Jerry to sign on the dotted line. This cartoon is a bit far from being my favorite and I felt bad for Tom. This cartoon can be found on disc one of the Spotlight collection DVD of "Tom & Jerry"

DVD Extras: Commentary by historian Jerry Beck

My Grade: B