El extraño caso del gato Jekyll

"Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Mouse" is unusual in that it was nominated for an Oscar. However, when you see it you'll certainly understand. The animation (like all Tom & Jerry cartoons) is top-rate and the story is great fun. As a kid, I loved this cartoon and when I saw it again tonight I found I still do!

Much of this cartoon is the typical sort of Tom & Jerry fare--Tom is trying to kill Jerry but with no success. However, this time Tom decides to use his brain (uh, oh!) and makes a concoction designed to kill the mouse--or at least knock him out cold! Instead, the formula is like the Jekyll and Hyde potion in that Jerry changes--into a HUGE and well-muscled mouse who beats the snot out of Tom. In the end, Tom decides to try the potion himself...with hilarious results.

I know these cartoons are just cartoon but still they need someone to feel and cheer for. When Tom starts the fight, I feel for Jerry and it should apply here as well but it doesn't.

All Tom wants to do is enjoy his milk but Jerry rudely won't leave him alone. Then at insult to injury Jerry become super strong and beats up Tom. The ending is very insulting as well. Jerry, much like in the Wright Bros episode, is just a big bully in this and I won't advocate such a thing.

'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Mouse' is an Oscar-nominated Tom and Jerry cartoon and I must admit it is pretty good. Not only is it funny but it uses the way animation should be used and especially the ending is quite inventive, although we have a feeling things will happen the way it does.

We see how Tom steals some milk and as he starts drinking Jerry joins him. Of course the cat does not like this very much and he tries to keep the milk away from the mouse. He doesn't succeed. Then he puts some poison and other stuff in the milk, tests it on a fly which gives a very big laugh, and gives it to Jerry. The result is not really what Tom was hoping for. Eventually it leads to the ending that is one of the better ones from the Tom and Jerry cartoons.

An early Tom & Jerry animated short film, this see's the creators influenced by Louis Stevensons classic Jekyll & Hyde.

We see Tom tired of Jerry stealing his milk so proceeds to poison him, but with unintended consequences. Yes, Tom tries to kill Jerry with poison! That's unexpectedly dark, and certainly wouldn't be acceptable by modern standards.

The rest is your run of the mill stuff and poor Tom just can't catch a break. I think that's why I was never a fan of the show when I was a kid, I always feel too sorry for the poor cat.

Interesting ideas, but ultimately this is just more of the same formula that we've been peddled with for over 60yrs.

The Good:

Well animated

The Bad:

More of the same

Too dark

Dr Jekyll and Mr Mouse is a unique take on the famous split-personality tale by Robert Louis Stevenson. I don't think it is Tom and Jerry's very best cartoon, but it is a dark, suspenseful and most definitely entertaining one. The animation is great, luscious, well proportioned and just beautiful to look at in general. And I also loved the music, that alone added to the darkness, suspense and fun of Dr Jekyll and Mr Mouse. There are some great gags as well, if you know the story though you'll know what happens, but the twist ending is just great and very funny. Overall, a unique and fun cartoon, with a great ending and music to boot. 9/10 Bethany Cox