The Million Dollar Cat
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
| The Million Dollar Cat | |
|---|---|
| Tom and Jerry series | |
| File:Million Dollar Cat poster.jpg
The Million Dollar Cat film poster
|
|
| Directed by | Bill Hanna Joseph Barbera |
| Produced by | Fred Quimby (unc. on original issue) |
| Voices by | Harry E. Lang (uncredited) |
| Music by | Scott Bradley |
| Animation by | Irven Spence Ken Muse Pete Burness Ray Patterson |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| Release date(s) |  May 6, 1944 (original issue), February 24, 1951 (reissue) |
| Color process | Technicolor |
| Running time | 7:10 |
| Language | English |
| Preceded by | The Zoot Cat |
| Followed by | The Bodyguard |
The Million Dollar Cat is a 1944 one-reel animated cartoon and is the 14th Tom and Jerry short. It was produced in Technicolor and released to theatres on May 6, 1944 by Metro-Goldwyn Mayer. It was reissued for re-release on February 24, 1951.
Plot
Whilst Tom is throwing darts at an apple on Jerry's head à la William Tell (he even throws one between his legs while blindfolded), a telegram arrives. Though it is meant for his owner, Tom reads it himself (it says, "Madam...In accord with the wishes of your eccentric Aunt Harriet your cat Thomas has been left the sum of one million dollars", or better yet, $1,000,000). Tom initially shrugs this off, but quickly realizes that this is something that makes him very happy. Jerry also reads the letter and gets just as happy as Tom which confuses him. Tom quickly learns why after he reads the telegram again, because the telegram, which has inherited Tom $1,000,000 from his eccentric aunt, also states that "Terms of will specify that all benefits must cease immediately should the cat bring harm to any single solitary living thing...EVEN A MOUSE".
The next day, news of Tom's inheritance quickly spreads (with the headlines reading "Feline Inherits Fortune", "Rich Cat Bathes in Cream", "Cat Crashes Society", and "Moves to Park Ave!") and he moves into 1 Park Avenue. Although he, at first, enjoys the attention and wealth he is given, Jerry decides to use the telegram's "EVEN A MOUSE" rule against Tom as revenge for tormenting him. He then continually follows Tom, despite the cat's best attempts to get rid of him and proceeds to take advantage of his freedom through various means, including slapping Tom's dickey in his face, assaulting him in his limousine, eating his sundae, and even throwing him out of bed whilst still falling asleep.
The next morning, after Jerry steals his bathroom towel, Tom decides to get rid of Jerry. After a few ideas, he eventually decides on hanging a FIRE EXIT sign on the window. He strikes a match to start a fire in front of the bathroom door, and Jerry promptly jumps out the window. The cat cheers before sitting down to enjoy his breakfast, but when he grabs his napkin, however, he uncovers Jerry, who posts the telegram on the table and eats Tom's breakfast. As a final insult, he attacks Tom yet again with the rest of the breakfast material, reminding him that as long as the "EVEN A MOUSE" rule stands, he can do whatever he wants to Tom, then he once again slaps Tom's dickey in his face. This proves to be the final straw: Tom loses his temper, and the shocked Jerry realizes that he has pushed Tom too far. Tom furiously grabs the telegram, tears it into pieces, and even shoves the "EVEN A MOUSE" proviso into Jerry's mouth. Jerry swallows it in horror at what is about to happen, as Tom leaps into the air with a frightening and insane scream before attacking Jerry with the crockery and broken breakfast tray. After a few seconds, he reflects on what he is about to do but realizes he is better off doing what he likes to enjoy the most("Gee, I'm throwing away a million dollars...BUT I'M HAPPY!"), then goes back to attacking Jerry.
Production
- Directed by: William Hanna and Joseph Barbera
- Animation: Irven Spence, Kenneth Muse, Pete Burness, Ray Patterson
- Music: Scott Bradley
- Produced by: Fred Quimby
Voice cast
- Harry E. Lang as Tom Cat (uncredited)
Censorship
On Boomerang in the UK, Tom holding a cigar and Jerry lighting it for him in the limousine is cut out.
Availability
DVD
- Tom and Jerry's Greatest Chases, Vol. 2
- Tom and Jerry Spotlight Collection Vol. 1, Disc One
- Tom and Jerry Golden Collection Volume One, Disc One
