Solid Serenade

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

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.

After quite a few less than impressive adventures (Trap Happy, The Milky Waif, Springtime for Thomas, Quiet Please!, and Flirty Birdy), it's great to see the cat and mouse duo back on form in Solid Serenade, which sees Tom attempting to woo a tasty white female cat by performing a rendition of "Is You Is, or Is You Ain't, My Baby?".

Unfortunately, the cat's romantic musical gesture isn't appreciated by Jerry, who is desperately struggling to catch some z's. In order to get some peace (and a little revenge, of course), the mouse sets about trying to ruin Tom's chances with the sexy feline. The result is a hilarious succession of brilliant slapstick moments and violent visual gags, with some particularly memorable moments: Jerry bouncing around his home as Tom slaps his bass; Tom 'playing' the lips of a bulldog named Killer (who looks suspiciously like Spike); Killer swapping his standard huge gnashers for a even larger set of fangs; and Tom receiving a sash window on his neck (ouch!).

Throw in some terrific comic facial expressions (including Tom's priceless look of sudden realisation), and you have an unmissable episode that is full of fun from start to finish.

My brother, sisters and I have loved Tom and Jerry since a very young age. Solid Serenade is one of my favourite cartoons of their, not my absolute favourite though. It is I agree quite violent especially the ending but it is certainly not the most violent, nor a cartoon that is so violent it's unwatchable. Plus the visual gags are funny and inventive. Also helping enormously are the lovely animation and the superb music, the song that Tom sings is really beautiful and romantic. The vocals weren't half bad either. The characters are fine as well, Spike(or Killer as he is known here) isn't given as much to do but he can be quite savage here, while Tom is both charming and dastardly and Jerry sweet and clever. Plus the female cat is a stunner! Overall, if you love Tom and Jerry this is a must see! 10/10 Bethany Cox

Just to hear Tom slapping that bass and singing, "Is You Is, or Is You Ain't, My Baby?" makes this one priceless! All the action flows from that serenade. Jerry either needs his sleep or is making an editorial comment on Tom's musical talents when he frees the bulldog. There is also a very important object lesson here: be very careful when closing your eyes in a romantic interlude! There was general merriment and joy overflowed the main environs and flooded surrounding areas! Highly recommended.