Cruise Cat (1952)

Crappy film

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

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.

Tom is ship's mascot aboard the S.S. Aloha, his duty to keep the vessel free of mice. Jerry ensures that the cat has his work cut out for him, sneaking onto the ship for a free trip to a tropical paradise.If you've read my previous reviews of the earlier Tom and Jerry shorts, you'll know that I hate it when the cartoon's creators resort to recycling footage from older episodes to make their lives easier. Cruise Cat starts off in fine form, with Tom's attempts at getting rid of Jerry thwarted at every turn, but it eventually devolves into a lazy clip show when Tom and Jerry see one of their earlier animated shorts being screened in the ship's cinema.Cue pointless scenes from 1950's Texas Tom that only serve to irritate those already familiar with this particular cartoon.

While not the fastest-paced of all the Tom and Jerry cartoons, Cruise Cat is still hugely enjoyable. And why do I say that? Well the locations are positively exotic, and the animation is colourful and vibrant. I loved the music too, really beautiful, soothing and authentic. The sight gags come by thick and fast and there are a lot of them. Despite being a little slow at the beginning, which isn't a big criticism really come to think of it, the cartoon moves briskly. Tom and Jerry are both very entertaining here, Tom devious yet the butt of the joke and Jerry for being sweet yet cunning. Plus we are treated to some very nice voice work from veteran Paul Frees.So overall, yet another strong Tom and Jerry cartoon. 10/10 Bethany Cox

"Mascot Tom" has been hired aboard a cruise ship. He has the assignment to make sure there are no mice on board. "If I find one, you'll be fired," says the ship's captain. Minutes later, here comes Jerry on his way on-board, complete with straw hair and playing his banjo. He's going to Hawaii aboard the U.S.S. Aloha. As he gets to the top, however, Tom is there to greet him and boot him back onto the dock.Now Jerry has to find a way to get on the ship, past Tom. He tries several clever ways, climbing a rope, pole vaulting, etc., and finally succeeds when he hitches a ride on the anchor, which is being hoisted out of the water.The rest of the cartoon is Tom discovering Jerry and trying to get rid of him before the captain spots the mouse. En route, there are lots of good sight gags making this an entertaining short. A clever scene had the two cats winding up in a room where they were showing a Tom and Jerry cartoon!

Tom is a member of staff of a cruise ship, and his order from the captain is that the ship be kept free of mice or he would be thrown into the brig. Guess who arrives with the potential to cause trouble just seconds later? Jerry, naturally! This is a really good cartoon, and very funny. My favourite scene (don't think this will count as a spoiler) is where, in the middle of one of their famous chases, they end up in the ship's cinema, where 'Texas Tom', a previous Tom & Jerry cartoon, is playing; they call a truce just to watch it!