Horst in Translation ([email protected]) "Mucho Mouse" is a 7-minute cartoon from 1957, so it has its 60th anniversary this year, and this is one of the later Hanna Barbera collaborations featuring the world's most famous cat&mouse duo. And they tried to bring in new aspects to keep the series going. Here we hear both Tom and Jerry as well as the other cat talk (adding to the animals' humanization here), the action is moved to Spain and the fat black cat owner is replaced by a thin lanky Spanish woman. The cat in the house has given up pretty much on catching Jerry, who is also known as The Magnificent One here and only goes for it a bit when the owner's pressure becomes too much once again after Jerry empties the kitchen constantly. So a new cat needs to come, but hey at least she seems to love her old red cat enough to not kick him out. The new cat is Tom and God knows where he got all these awards and trophies from? But after initial successes, he also quickly realizes that this mouse is out of his league and he basically turns into a second red cat, with other fur color obviously though. So everybody's a winner as the cats are chill eventually and the mouse is happy because he still won't be stopped getting all these delicacies. I mentioned the humanization earlier and the fact that the stereotypical reaction of cat killing or trying to kill mouse is never an option here, even if Tom manages to catch the magnificent, slightly boastful mouse early on. Instead the cats applaud it and give in to its greatness. Oh yeah, as for my title: I know Speedy is from Mexico and not Spain, but the Hispanic note here as well as all the flamenco guitar playing and dancing and, last but not least, Jerry's legendary reputation really reminded me of Speedy Gonzales here. His first Oscar-winning cartoon is from 1955, so only 2 years older. A coincidence? I doubt it. But this one here still succeeds in its own right. It's worth seeing for cartoon lovers fore sure. Not among T&J's most or least known overall, I give it a thumbs-up.

BA_Harrison Madrid, Spain, and a local cat is outclassed by the brave, quick-witted, flamenco dancing mouse called El Magnifico (or Jerry, as we know him). Exasperated, the lady of the house sends for Tom, the World Champion mouser from the U.S. of A.I've seen well over a hundred Tom and Jerry cartoons thus far and this is one of the weakest, the set-up nothing special and the antics old-hat. It might be set in Madrid, but there isn't much to distinguish Mucho Mouse from your average, predictable house-bound T&J caper, save for a little Spanish guitar, one small scene where Jerry plays toreador to the bullish Tom, and the fact that both the cat and mouse speak.

TheLittleSongbird As people may already know, I am a fan of Tom and Jerry. I personally wouldn't consider Mucho Mouse one of the best, the story is a little too predictable and the cartoon is a little too short so those brings it down a notch. However, there are some great sight gags and writing and Jerry is a joy to behold, so the cartoon is never less than entertaining.Mucho Mouse also goes at a cracking pace, and the characters are delightful. Tom is good, but it is actually Jerry who steals the show. The animation is beautifully done, especially in the colours and backgrounds. The music is also outstanding, I loved the flamenco-rhythms, which added to the cartoon's setting and authenticity.All in all, a very entertaining cartoon without being one of the best. 8/10 Bethany Cox

andy blundell One of the few disappointing Tom and Jerry cartoons of the Hanna Barbera era.This cartoon is notable for the fact that Tom and Jerry both speak - and in Spanish!Jerry is El Magnifico, the uncatchable mouse. The local cat has given up and plays flamenco guitar while Jerry raids the larder. Call for the world champion mouse catcher - you guessed it - Tom So far an interesting idea, but Jerry emerges from every attempt unscathed. Part of the charm of Tom and Jerry is that you're never quite certain who will get the best of things, but this one is entirely too predictable.However even the worst of the Hanna Barbera cartoons are at least watchable and better than most of the later efforts.