Horst in Translation ([email protected])
"Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Mouse" is a 7.5-minute cartoon short film from 1947, so this one has its 70th anniversary this year now and the title is of course a reference to the famous Robert Louis Stevenson novel that was perhaps more known back then than it is today. It also won actor Frederic March an Oscar for example. But back to this one here: This is one of the rare occasions when Tom and Jerry were nominated for an Oscar, but came short as the WB entry took it that year. Nonetheless, this is still among the most known works by the world's most famous cat-and-mouse duo. And it is an okay watch that basically gets better the longer it goes. The introduction and presentation of the issues Tom has with Jerry drinking a bit of his milk, may have been slightly too long, but when the poisoned milk comes into play, the quality increases and the very end with tiny Tom was a real highlight. It reminds us that certain species react differently to medication, especially if the quantity of how much they drank differs so strongly. All in all, probably not my favorite T&J short, but a good watch nonetheless. I give it a thumbs-up.
TheLittleSongbird
Dr Jekyll and Mr Mouse is a unique take on the famous split-personality tale by Robert Louis Stevenson. I don't think it is Tom and Jerry's very best cartoon, but it is a dark, suspenseful and most definitely entertaining one. The animation is great, luscious, well proportioned and just beautiful to look at in general. And I also loved the music, that alone added to the darkness, suspense and fun of Dr Jekyll and Mr Mouse. There are some great gags as well, if you know the story though you'll know what happens, but the twist ending is just great and very funny. Overall, a unique and fun cartoon, with a great ending and music to boot. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Shawn Watson
In this Acadamy Award-nominated cartoon (it lost to Tweety Pie!) Tom is tired of sharing his daily bowl of milk with Jerry and nothing he seems to do stops him from getting at it. So he makes up a poisonous white liquid from household chemicals and serves it to Jerry, hoping to kill him. Unfortunately it merely gives him great strength and he proceeds to open a can of whoop-ass. Trouble is, his powers come and go at sporadic intervals. So Tom decides to drink the potion himself. It's very funny and you'll certainly be laughing all the way through. The twist ending is the best laugh of all. I won't ruin it, but it was my favorite one yet.
Robert Reynolds
The fact that this was nominated for an Oscar puzzles me somewhat, as it wasn't one of the better Tom and Jerry cartoons. It wasn't even the best one that year (Invisible Mouse was much better). The ending, which is creative, makes this worth watching, but that's the most memorable part of the short.