The Cat Concerto

Cartoon studios have been blending animation with music probably since the start of animation. Particularly classical and also jazz. Every major studio has done at least a few cartoons where the animation is done to the beat of the music. This is one of the best of the MGM efforts. One of the few times when my sympathies have been with Tom more than with Jerry. While Rhapsody With Rivets is the best short to blend classical with animation (Sliphorn King of Polaroo was tops for jazz!), this cartoon, with several other Tom and Jerry shorts, does very well indeed and won an Oscar. Highly recommended.

Tom is playing Hungarian Rhapsody #2 for an audience, but when he wakes up Jerry, he must maintain his perfect piano playing abilities while contending with the mouse. I know there was a controversy between this short and the WB's Looney Tune short "Rhapsody Rabbit" (which is a funny short as well and the similarities are a lot), but I feel that this Tom and Jerry short is the clear winner. It is damn near pitch perfect and one of the best Tom and jerry cartoon shorts of all time. And rightfully so. The classic tune meets classic animation. This award winning cartoon can be found on disc one of the Spotlight collection DVD of "Tom & Jerry"

My Grade: A+

Tom flawlessly performs a Liszt piano concerto despite simultaneously engaging in the usual Tom and Jerry antics.

Lifted above the usual high standard of the Fred Quimby produced series by the flawless melding of action and music

I remember how disappointed my friends and I were when the cartoon before the feature film was "Tom and Jerry." I still don't find them funny. Every plot was pretty much the same with Jerry eventually coming out on top (cat prejudice). This one is good because it relies on wonderful animation, especially where Tom is playing Liszt's Second "Hungarian Rhapsody." He has every right to be left alone but for that damned mouse. The closeup of Tom's playing are right on. It makes one wonder how it was done. The point/counterpoint of shenanigans is very clever, syncing with the music beautifully. I think that most kids of my generation know what classical music they do from these cartoon efforts. Nice work.

In a departure from the usual household mayhem, Tom stars as a classical concert pianist. Dressed in a tailcoat and hammering out Hungarian Rhapsody Number 2 (which you might recognize as the tune played by Daffy and Donald in Who Framed Roger Rabbit) he is bothered by Jerry, who just happens to live inside the piano.

Cue loads of tricks played on poor Tom, who is desperately managing to stay in tune as Jerry runs amok. This cartoon actually won an Academy Award back in the day and it's easy to see why. The editing and timing are dead on, as is the imagination. A lot of laughs to be had here and one of the best Tom and Jerry shorts.