The Idler, Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Tom and Jerry –

evergreens

of comedy

IT'S 80 years since Tom and Jerry, the cartoon cat and mouse, first hit the screens and they're still going strong, according to the BBC.

Created for MGM in what was originally a cowshed by animators Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera, they were launched - originally named Jasper and Jinx - in competition with Mickey Mouse and Porky Pig, who were produced by other studios. Cutthroat stuff this cartooning.

Eighty years on, Tom and Jerry – where the cat always comes off second best – are popular as ever.

Tom and Jerry, with its slapstick violence and dark comedy, remains extremely popular around the world today. It can be found on children's television everywhere from Japan to Pakistan and a new mobile phone game that features Tom and Jerry has more than 100 million users in China.

"I'll bet when you watched them as a child, or even if you look at them right now, you would be hard-pressed to know when they were made," says Jerry Beck, a cartoon historian who has worked in roles across the industry.

"There's something about animation. It's evergreen, it doesn't fade," he says. "A drawing is a drawing, it's like when you go see paintings. Yes, we know they're from the 1800s or 1700s - it doesn't matter and it still speaks to you today.

"That's the thing with these cartoons. What we've learned in time is that they really are great art. They're not disposable throwaway entertainment."

Quite so. And, of course, the stories are all absolutely true.

 

 

Cricket gear

READER Glen Behn, of 'Toti, is outraged by the gear of one of the Proteas fielders on Sunday

"I was horrified to see one of the Proteas wearing red boots. That's all very well on the rugby field, but not for cricket."

Glen then waxes poetical.

Now red boots may be nice and bright

And some folk think they're grand,

But I think, and I'm sure I'm right,

Red boots should be BANNED.

Then back into prose: "The Proteas' bowling and fielding left a lot to be desired."
Ja, tog.

 

 

Short skirts

OVERHEARD in the Street Shelter for the Over-Forties: "Short skirts remind blokes of their manners. Have you ever seen a bloke push onto a bus ahead of a girl in a short skirt?"

 

 

Signage

 

SIGNS of the times:

·       In a shoe repair shop - "We will heel you. We will save your sole. We will even dye for you." ·       At an optomometrist's - "If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place." ·      On a plumber's truck - "We repair what your husband fixed." ·         On another plumber's truck - :"Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber." On an electrician's truck - "Let us remove your shorts." Outside a car exhaust shop - "No appointment necessary. We hear you coming." ·         In a vet's waiting room - "Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!" ·       On the back of a sewage truck - "Caution: This truck is full of political promises."

Tailpiece

AN OLD farmer hears splashing and laughter coming from the pond. He investigates. A whole lot of girls are skinnydipping. They crowd into the deepest part of the pond.

One shouts: "Go away! We're not getting out 'til you leave!"

"I didn't come to watch. I'm just here to feed the crocodile."

Last word

Take the diplomacy out of war and the thing would fall flat in a week.

Will Rogers