Heavenly Puss

'Heavenly Puss (1949)' is a 'Tom & Jerry' short that sees the former crushed by a piano and sent to the pearly gates, where he is told he has an hour to obtain a signature of forgiveness from his mouse mate in order to board the 'heavenly express'. The piece feels somewhat different to most others in its series. It seems, in a way, more character-driven and self-aware. The thing is almost like the creators are saying "don't worry, they're friends really". Still, this more story-focused approach isn't bad. While the affair has less inventive sight-gags than we're used to, it still has its fair share of funny moments. It also has a good heart at its centre. It's an enjoyable short. 7/10

It's not hard to get tired of the bad reputation cats have been given in animated cartoons (Warner Brothers had Pussyfoot as a sympathetic feline, but that's one of the few). They seem to serve only as punching bags for dogs and persecutors of mice and birds. In this cartoon, we have Tom threatened with condemnation to an animal version of Christian hell populated, of course, by devil dogs, and for what? For following his instincts, nothing more. If Christians can be condemned for following their instincts, there must not be many of them in their version of heaven.

Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield, perhaps said it best: "Way down under, we're all motivated by the same urges. Cats have the courage to live by theirs." Seeing the way Hanna and Barbera always cast Tom as the endless oppressor and the foil for Jerry's sadistic manipulation makes me want to do two things: watch only Chuck Jones Tom & Jerry cartoons, where the motivations were distilled to their purest essence (the chase for its own sake) and to go find a few mice for my own cats to play with while I watch and cheer them on.

Tom the cat gets killed by a falling piano and ascends to cat heaven via escalator. But upon arriving at the pearly gates, the gatekeeper tells him that he needs to get Jerry the mouse to sign a document saying that he forgives Tom all the times that he chased after him. If Jerry doesn't sign it Tom has to spend eternity in hell. So naturally Tum is scared out of his cat skull and tries with all his might to get Jerry to sign on the dotted line. This cartoon is a bit far from being my favorite and I felt bad for Tom. This cartoon can be found on disc one of the Spotlight collection DVD of "Tom & Jerry"

DVD Extras: Commentary by historian Jerry Beck

My Grade: B

The so familiar fight of tom against Jerry. A piano changes the rules of game and Tom must reconciliate and be forgived by his traditional enemy for have the chance to be in Heaven after death and to evit the torture of Hell.

But it is not so easy because for Jerry the opportunity for revenge is ...delicious ( with some blackmail detail ). In final, the mercy winns . But, at the first sight, more too late.

A charming story, familiar characters and the escalator - like the cases who seduce in high measure. The guard of Heaven is the main attractive character of episode and the final, more than familiar - and comfortable - is just nice one.

In an attempt to catch Jerry, Tom gets killed when his plan goes wrong. His spirit then ascends to the clouds, where he finds the Heavenly Express train preparing to disembark. The problem is, the ticket-seller will not let Tom pass due to his malevolent antics with Jerry, so he is given one hour to get Jerry's signature on a Certificate Of Forgiveness -- or go to Hell!

This cartoon is quite amusing, and the oversensitive ones will be pleased to know that there's little of the violence that the T&J series has often been accused of emphasising. The cartoon also has a twist at the end that I won't spoil.