The Lonesome Mouse

The Lonesome Mouse is a great cartoon. While a rather basic plot, with Jerry and Tom realizing how much they need each other, it becomes entertaining. Tom and Jerry's brief dialogue in the short is a routine change, and it's always nice to hear them say one or two things. The gags involving them fake fighting, as well as both antagonizing Mammy Two-Shoes, is always funny, and it's nice to sometimes see Tom and Jerry team up. Other highlights include Jerry jumping around when Tom is kicked out, including ripping his pillow and giving him a Hitler mustache, Tom becoming the Sphinx with a broom, and Jerry slamming Tom into a pie at the end. This cartoon is very funny, and a recommended watch for even a casual Tom and Jerry fan.

This is not one of the better Tom and Jerry cartoons, but it is a reasonable one. The plot is very simple yet predictable, and there are times when the art work isn't as good as it could have been.

However, there are some really inspired visual gags, such as Tom and Jerry poking Mammy Two Shoes in the bottom with a knife and fork, the "Hitler" joke, Mammy Two Shoes dropping several items like false teeth in fear and the end when Tom "double-crosses" Jerry. I also liked Jerry singing "Happy Days are here again" and his really cute and funny facial expressions. And very briefly, Tom and Jerry speak, personally I didn't find that a problem as it was brief. Asides from the gags, another outstanding component was the music, it was a lot of fun and very playful.

Overall, not absolutely brilliant, but worth seeing. It's Tom and Jerry, what's not to like? 8/10 Bethany Cox

The Lonesome Mouse (1943)

*** (out of 4)

Jerry finally gets Tom kicked out of the house by the nasty maid and for a while the mouse is having some fun being able to do whatever he wants. However, after a while he grows tired of not having Tom around so the two plot how to get the cat back into the house. THE LONESOME MOUSE doesn't contain the strongest plot ever written but there are enough good moments to make it another winner for the series. As you'd expect, the animation at this point was extremely good and we were treated to some creative moments including one of the highlights where Tom and Jerry are supposed to be under the sink fighting but instead they're making some music. Again, there's nothing great about the plot but this is a fun short.

What I like about Tom and Jerry cartoons is that they are unpredictable, unique, and mostly funny. This one is right in the middle somewhat - unique, but not too funny. Just lots of running and chasing around. Always like hearing Mammy Two-Shoes, though.

Grade B-

This has a lot of noteworthy points. First, it's a cartoon featuring Mammy Two-Shoes. Second, as a short made during World War II, there is a visual political joke in the early going. Third, and most significantly, the two stars speak, something generally avoided, for good reason, the characters are funnier and less complicated silent. There is a nice touch of enlightened self-interest, when Jerry helps Tom get back inside, because he finds life less exciting without the mayhem. The temporary truce/partnership ends when gluttony rears its porcine head. But that's okay-there has to be a rivalry, doesn't there? That's the whole point to this one in the first place! Very good short and worth watching. Recommended.