Cat Napping

All Tom the cat want's to do is get a little catnap in the hammock of his, but Jerry the mouse is using it himself. The typical cat and mouse game ensues with many funny gags, the short also features Spike the dog. Do you guys know how hard it is for someone to continuously review these (or any short or featurette) when there's a 10 line requirement? I'd wager that has something to do with not many comments being found for one-reelers which is a shame, but I digress. This hilarious classic cartoon can be found on disc two of the Spotlight collection DVD of "Tom & Jerry"

My Grade: B+

Cat Napping has a very simple set-up: Tom and Jerry fight over the use of a hammock in the garden. The result is predictable T&J knockabout fun, with Tom unsurprisingly getting the worst of it. The animation here is up to the usual excellent Hanna-Barbera standard, and the gags are extremely funny, with Tom swallowing a bullfrog that causes him to bounce all over the place, being attacked by a lawnmower, and getting catapaulted so high into the air that he flies past an airplane.

My favourite gag comes right at the end of the cartoon and features that other T&J regular, Spike the bulldog: believing that he has Jerry wrapped up in the hammock, Tom proceeds to give it some hefty whacks with a baseball bat. The cat then reaches into the hammock and pulls out Spike's collar. Tom pictures Jerry in his mind wearing the collar and realises his mistake. His expression when he understands the reality of the situation is priceless.

N.B. This cartoon also features the first appearance of occasional characters The Marching Ants, who add to the fun.

This "Tom and Jerry" short "Cat Napping" is one where both cat and mouse want to take an afternoon outside nap only it turns to knockout fun with chases and action and clever gags. As items enter the episode that seem far fetched still it rounds out and works good with the appearance of Spike the dog plus another appearance of the marching ants is seen. Overall again another fun outdoor themed episode to watch of the cat and mouse duo!

I will admit this is not the best Tom and Jerry cartoon I have ever seen, as the story is a little predictable. But I liked it, there was nothing absolutely hilarious, but there were many fitfully amusing sight gags, particularly the one with the frog and the one with the parade of ants. I do think though the animation was beautiful here, and definitely better than the story, and the music was suitably dynamic. Tom and Jerry are still likable, Tom getting the worst of the butt of the joke and Jerry still his sweet and dastardly self. Overall, Cat Napping isn't outstanding, but it is reasonably amusing, and I think re-watchable too. 8/10 Bethany Cox

While 'Cat Napping (1951)' mightn't be as visually appealing as some earlier 'Tom and Jerry' shorts (though it's far more appealing than most later ones), it's still a fantastically fun affair thanks to its strong, if simple, concept and consistently amusing sight-gags. Indeed, its simplicity may be its strength; it allows it to focus wholly on the conflict between its two stars. Here, that conflict revolves around a hammock, which creates a clear goal for both core characters and a solid structure for the narrative to follow. The entire piece feels like it's calling back to the more straightforward cat-and-mouse stuff of the early 40s while still maintaining the overall momentum of the series. It's an enjoyable experience that often makes you smile. 7/10