Busy Buddies (1956)

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

For some reason, my 6 DVDs of Tom and Jerry cartoons neglected to include Busy Buddies, but thanks to the marvels of the internet, it was easy to catch up with. This episode introduces us to Jeannie the babysitter, who was so irresponsible in Hanna-Barbera/MGM's final effort Tot Watchers. While Jeannie is on the telephone gassing to her friend, the baby is out of its cot and it is up to Tom and Jerry to ensure that he comes to no harm.A fun cartoon that sees cat and mouse working together for a change, Busy Buddies is full of silly escapades for the tiny tot, whose crawling is accompanied by a delightfully whimsical score. The animation might not be the best from Hanna-Barbera, with the simpler backgrounds that typified their later T&J 'toons, but it's a darn sight better than what was to come a little down the line with the Gene Deitch era. As I mentioned in my review for Tot Watchers, the baby seems to have been the influence for Baby Herman's character in the Roger Rabbit shorts.

I liked Busy Buddies very much as I do with most Tom and Jerry cartoons, but at the same time I didn't love it. It is fairly light on story and the babysitter is a plot device if little else. The animation this said is wonderful, with lots of detail and lush colours, while the upbeat, beautifully orchestrated and action-enhancing music still manages to impress. The gags, revolving mainly around the lengths Tom and Jerry go to raid the kitchen of food, are clever and well-timed, while not feeling routine at the same time. What was also interesting about Busy Buddies was that this was one of the rare occurrences where Tom and Jerry were on the same side, which was a refreshing change from the norm. The duo are their likable selves and their rapport is as ever irresistible. The baby is also a well-utilised addition and works well with Tom and Jerry.So all in all, fun if not one of Tom and Jerry's best. 8/10 Bethany Cox

I like 1956's Busy Buddies cartoon twice as much than the Tot Watchers cartoon, for Tom and Jerry are not enemies at all, in this cartoon. The baby boy was rescued numerous times by Tom and Jerry, as they remained a team of friends, while Genie, the so-called babysitter was on the telephone and chattering continuously. And the baby was in his crib, winking an eye, as this cartoon concludes. In 1958's Tot Watchers cartoon, Tom and Jerry are friends, not enemies and rescue the baby a few more times, once again, as in the Busy Buddies cartoon. But the conclusion is different. The baby is walking down the street, as Tot Watchers concludes. Tot Watchers would have been funnier had Bill Hanna and Joseph Barbera had the writer have the words, The End, on the baby's diaper as Tot Watchers concludes.

This was the first of two Tom & Jerry cartoons to feature Jeannie, the baby-sitter who is left to look after Tom's owners' baby but really couldn't care less (the other was 'Tot Watchers' (1958)). Once the couple have gone out for the evening, Jeannie darts onto the telephone and starts a massive conversation, completely oblivious to the baby boy's needs. Tom & Jerry take advantage of the couple's absence, they raid the kitchen, but are soon halted by the baby, who has escaped... I'm hoping that the above hasn't spoiled the enjoyment too much, and firmly believe it is still the mere backbone of the story and I've not given away any clever gags or slapstick. It's not brilliant, but it's still clever and amusing fare from William Hanna & Joseph Barbera.