The entire 'Tom and Jerry' series is based on the enmity between the titular characters. Yet, there have been moments where they set aside their rivalry and became friends.
History shows that sometimes, even the fiercest rivals can develop mutual admiration. It's probably because, after a certain point, this very rivalry allows both sides to acknowledge each other's strengths and determination. Take Alexander the Great and King Porus, for example - Alexander was so impressed with Porus' bravery that he treated him as an equal.
Now, the same can be seen in Tom and Jerry as well. The two exist because of their rivalry with each other - always fighting and trying to outsmart each other - but in some rare moments, they become friends. And those moments are special, reminding us that life is beautiful.
Created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, 'Tom and Jerry' debuted on February 10, 1940, with its first installment, 'Puss Gets the Boot'. As we celebrate the series' 85th anniversary, let's revisit some of those special episodes where the two rivals became friends.
'The Lonesome Mouse' contains the first speaking role of Tom and Jerry, and the only one with significant dialogue between the two characters. Released in 1943, the episode is also special for its depiction of another side of Tom and Jerry.
It begins with the usual rivalry between the two characters, where Jerry gets Tom thrown out of the house. However, at the end of the day, Jerry finds himself lonely and realizes that his life is incomplete without Tom. Therefore, he reaches out to Tom and gets him back in the house. And that's where they share a moment of friendship that melts our hearts. Also, this conveys a very important message: the two characters - despite their endless rivalry - are actually inseparable.
"The Lonesome Mouse" is a cartoon that deviates from the usual Tom and Jerry formula, and I love it for this exact reason. This is a rare cartoon where both are speaking for more than a few seconds. It's a real shame how they never did anything like this again. pic.twitter.com/z3v9nAa1AG
— Tom and Jerry Fan Page (@tomandjeerryy) December 3, 2021
(Credit: Tom and Jerry Fan Page)
Here, both Tom and Jerry were voiced by William Hanna.
The series' 103rd entry, 'Blue Cat Blues' was released on November 16, 1956, theatrically. In this unusual episode, the two characters share a moment of camaraderie amidst quite a tragic circumstance. Tom, heartbroken in love, sits on train tracks, while Jerry comes and laments at his friend's state. The two don't fight or chase each other; instead sit side by side and reflect on their misfortunes.
Notably, there's another thing about the episode that makes it special. Here, Jerry speaks through an inner monologue, voiced by Paul Frees.
🍿:Tom and Jerry (Blue Cat Blues) pic.twitter.com/lXvBJDKsHk
— Cinematic Lines (@cinematic_lines) February 2, 2022
(Credit: Cinematic Lines)
This episode is widely considered the darkest Tom and Jerry cartoon and is often confused to be the final short of the series (due to its ending).
Needless to say, it's Tom and Jerry's rivalry that defines their relationship. But no matter how much we enjoy their fights, these moments of friendship showcase a different side to their equation and take their chemistry to a whole new level. The message is clear: there's always room for love and friendship.
