By the end of 1941, the US had entered WW2, and Hollywood was doing its part to raise morale with uplifting movies depicting the heroic efforts of American service men and women. Tom and Jerry also joined in with the war effort with Yankee Doodle Mouse, a war-themed cartoon that sees the beleaguered mouse fighting bravely against the odds against the imposing cat, and ultimately succeeding in winning his battle.
The main purpose of this episode was to boost morale, and the cartoon definitely succeeds in being extremely entertaining stuff, with a lively pace and some lovely visual humour on display: Tom laughing at a tiny explosive which results in a massive explosion; Tom putting his face into a kettle containing more explosives, and being turned into a 'flower'; Jerry using a bra as a parachute; and Tom tying his own hands to a rocket.
Very patriotic (Jerry salutes a firework Stars and Stripes at the end!), but also very funny and inventive, this one deservedly won an Oscar in 1944.
The main purpose of this episode was to boost morale, and the cartoon definitely succeeds in being extremely entertaining stuff, with a lively pace and some lovely visual humour on display: Tom laughing at a tiny explosive which results in a massive explosion; Tom putting his face into a kettle containing more explosives, and being turned into a 'flower'; Jerry using a bra as a parachute; and Tom tying his own hands to a rocket.
Very patriotic (Jerry salutes a firework Stars and Stripes at the end!), but also very funny and inventive, this one deservedly won an Oscar in 1944.