Solid Serenade (1946)

Simply Perfect

Fantastic!

Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

The title of this Tom & Jerry short refers to Tom--who does something VERY uncharacteristic--you hear him sing. He serenades a cute lady cat with his rendition of "Is You Is or Is You Ain't". While he was careful to tie up Butch when the cartoon begins, he didn't anticipate the troubles he'd have with Jerry--who is MORE than willing to destroy Tom's good time--and untie Butch. Most of the film consist of Tom trying to stop Butch from killing him.If you are familiar with the Tom & Jerry cartoons of this era, then it's no surprise that artistically it's among the best cartoon shorts you can find...period. While Tom & Jerry are quite predictable, these cartoons during their glory years of the 1940s cannot be matched even by Disney or Looney Tunes when it comes to the art. I always am amazed by the gorgeous backgrounds and colors--and this one is no exception. Overall, this is yet another marvelous Tom & Jerry cartoon. Not among the very best--but awfully good.

Tom sneaks into a well protected garden to serenade a gorgeous female kitty. But first he has to tie up Spike (here called 'Killer'). His chosen song is actually 'Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby?', which is actually very cool song.Too bad Jerry doesn't share the same sentiments. Tom's crooning is keeping him awake in his letterbox/bedroom and he just wants him to shut the hell up.Jerry actually only gets to torment Tom a couple of times in this cartoon. Most of the pain is dished out by Spike. And it is very, very funny, with great visual jokes and humor.

Tom gets to do some picking early on as he torments and then ties up "Killer" the watchdog. Tom wants to serenade some cat-beauty in the window and needs the dog out of the way. Tom then shows us his musical talent - and it's hilarious - as he sings Cab Calloway-swing-style and plays the bass with the toes! That number - "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby?" is a lot of fun to see and hear.Jerry, sleeping contently in his sardine can, is woken by the music, hates it and baits Tom into chasing him at his place nearby. That's the second half of this story and there is more funny and clever material, especially when Jerry frees "Killer " and sicks him on the poor cat.We also get to hear Tom's French imitation of Charles Boyer, which is really a hoot.This is one excellent cartoon - really good stuff.

Spike the dog (here called Killer, in later cartoons he'd be called Butch) is tied up by Tom the cat so he can serenade the lady he has his eye on with the song "Is you is or is you ain't my baby". He wakes up Jerry the mouse, who tortures him for his act of love by throwing stuff at him. This prompts Tom to grow aggravated and the game of cat and mouse is on. Jerry unties Butch (Killer) to let the dog get into the action. This is a great Tom and Jerry cartoon and Tom's singing is classic stuff. This hilarious cartoon short can be found on disc one of the Spotlight collection DVD of "Tom & Jerry" My Grade: A