Tom and Jerry were the cartoon characters I grew up on. I vividly remember excitedly tuning in to enjoy their latest antics every Saturday afternoon on Rolf Harris' cartoon anthologies. Fifteen years later, I still get the same level of enjoyment out of the animated antics of this cat and mouse duo that I did back in the late 1980s. In fact, it was mainly thanks to Tom and Jerry that I for a long time harboured a desire to become an animator, an aspiration that still grips me from time to time. Tom and Jerry provides a timeless combination of infectious humour, lightning-fast pacing and superb animation that has the ability to amuse people of all ages - something that it rarely true of cartoons in this day and age.

Now, Warner would appear to be attempting to release all of the duo's many shorts on DVD for the first time in the UK. In theory, Volume 1 should include 24 cartoons (the press release materials certainly claim this), but only half of these are present on the review copy I received. Whether or not the rest will be included in the retail version is anyone's guess, but I would urge potential buyers to exercise extreme caution. Not that I would recommend buying this set anyway, because the majority of the episodes on this disc have been butchered in such a ham-fisted manner that it would actually be funny if it wasn't so pathetic.

First, a little history. In many of the cartoons, Tom and Jerry lived in the house of a cheerful black lady, unofficially known by cartoon fans as Mammy Two-Shoes. She had a habit of setting Tom some sort of task at the beginning of each cartoon, and then giving him a leathering at the end when he failed to accomplish his goals (usually because of the devious Jerry). At some point, however, some oh-so-clever individual came to the conclusion that Mammy's voice was racially offensive... which strikes me as quite an offensive thing to say, considering that it was voice actor Lillian Randolph's real voice. This charming so-and-so went back through every single cartoon and had Randolph's voice replaced with a supposedly less offensive, less "black" variant. The redubbing is so bad that it literally makes me cringe whenever I hear it, transforming Mammy from a cheerful and funny character into an automaton with a voice like a badly-tuned piano. Much to my dismay, these bastardized versions are the ones included on this set, and therefore, I have come to the conclusion that this set should not be touched with a barge-pole. Shame on Warner for releasing it: all they have succeeded in doing is to cooperate with censors who quite clearly had a problem with southern accents.

It seems a little pointless to attempt to review the contents of this DVD, partly because these characters and their adventures are so well-known to just about everyone, and partly because watching it was a painful experience indeed, given my happy memories of their uncensored antics back in the 1980s. If I wanted to see Tom and Jerry with bits missing I would tune into Cartoon Network and catch them in between endless reruns of Dragonball Z and Beyblade, but I would suspect that people actually setting down money for a DVD would have slightly higher expectations. Overall, a terrible disappointment and a waste of plastic.

Picture
Most Tom and Jerry cartoons were shot in the Academy aspect ratio of 1.37:1 (a few of the later Hanna-Barbera efforts were in Cinemascope), and the DVD displays them in a non-anamorphic 1.33:1 presentation. Quality is not very good, consistently too soft and with quite a bit of damage to the prints. Print damage is not something I normally mind, but in this case it, along with substantial grain and an insufficient bit rate lead to some fairly noticeable compression artifacts. Colours are inconsistent but just about acceptable. In all, these transfers look about as good as they do on Cartoon Network.

Audio
The audio is presented in its original mono format, and is reasonably serviceable. It has faded and warped somewhat with age (and the fact that the recording equipment used wasn't particularly great anyway), but it does its job perfectly well. The redubbed voice of Mammy Two-Shoes, with its spotless, crisp-clear quality (recorded with modern equipment), sounds hideously out of place.

Extras
Wow! Talk about a great set! There are so many superb bonus features here! Interactive menus, language selection, subtitles, a "Play All" function - it's all so exciting! No, I'm kidding. There's nothing here at all.

Conclusion
Ultimately, this set might be fine for the three-year-olds it was clearly aimed at, but anyone with a more objective eye is going to be sorely disappointed. These classics have been mangled by censors with dubious morals, and therefore I would urge anyone who gives two hoots about these cartoons to not buy this set, which is nothing short of a disgrace and should have been canned before it even got off the drawing board. Compared to their recent Looney Tunes Gold Collection box set, it is blatantly obvious that Warner put absolutely no care or respect into bringing Tom and Jerry to DVD.

#1 Posted: 16-03-2004 10:52
Phil Q Member Posts: 1817	Warner have done much the same with the Tex Avery box set currently available in France. Apparently nearly all of the shorts have undergone some kind of tampering. Even with the Looney Tunes sets they've avoided some of the shorts made during World War II to avoid causing offence. Many attitudes and stereotypes that were acceptable 60 years are not acceptable today - and rightly so. That doesn't justify censorship of (for want of a better word) Art. Anyone with an ounce of sense can make allowances for changing times. Mammy in the Tom & Jerry cartoons was probably based on the character of Mammy in Gone With The Wind. She's a strong, assertive and admirable woman and the part won Hattie McDaniel an Oscar. As far as I know no-one has suggested censoring Gone With The Wind. Warner are doing a fantastic job restoring and preserving classic films from the first half of the last century, and animated films deserve exactly the same level of respect. If they're really so worried about offending people, why not slap an 18 certificate on it or release alternative rated/unrated versions?

Warner have done much the same with the Tex Avery box set currently available in France. Apparently nearly all of the shorts have undergone some kind of tampering. Even with the Looney Tunes sets they've avoided some of the shorts made during World War II to avoid causing offence. Many attitudes and stereotypes that were acceptable 60 years are not acceptable today - and rightly so. That doesn't justify censorship of (for want of a better word) Art. Anyone with an ounce of sense can make allowances for changing times. Mammy in the Tom & Jerry cartoons was probably based on the character of Mammy in Gone With The Wind. She's a strong, assertive and admirable woman and the part won Hattie McDaniel an Oscar. As far as I know no-one has suggested censoring Gone With The Wind. Warner are doing a fantastic job restoring and preserving classic films from the first half of the last century, and animated films deserve exactly the same level of respect. If they're really so worried about offending people, why not slap an 18 certificate on it or release alternative rated/unrated versions?

Phil Q

#2 Posted: 16-03-2004 12:02
analogueman Ordinary Member Posts: 118	All I can say, after now cancelling my two pre-orders is... bugger!!! :mad:

All I can say, after now cancelling my two pre-orders is... bugger!!! :mad:

analogueman

#3 Posted: 17-03-2004 01:06
Mark Oates Member Posts: 7	I've just had a rant about this over at the HTF. Hopefully someone at Warners might read it, but I doubt if they'll take any notice.:mad: ------ Do not be afraid. That sound is simply my mind boggling.

I've just had a rant about this over at the HTF. Hopefully someone at Warners might read it, but I doubt if they'll take any notice.:mad:

Mark Oates

#4 Posted: 17-03-2004 16:16
Scaramanga Member Posts: 127	"Warner have done much the same with the Tex Avery box set currently available in France. Apparently nearly all of the shorts have undergone some kind of tampering." NOT TRUE ... Only 6 or so out of all the cartoons have been edited ... definately not most of em !

"Warner have done much the same with the Tex Avery box set currently available in France. Apparently nearly all of the shorts have undergone some kind of tampering." NOT TRUE ... Only 6 or so out of all the cartoons have been edited ... definately not most of em !

Scaramanga

#5 Posted: 17-03-2004 19:33
Phil Q Member Posts: 1817	Apologies if that info was wrong - I got it from a review on Amazon.fr which claims that "at least 47"(!) of the Avery cartoons have been edited.

Apologies if that info was wrong - I got it from a review on Amazon.fr which claims that "at least 47"(!) of the Avery cartoons have been edited.

Phil Q

#6 Posted: 18-03-2004 09:51
snuffy Member Posts: 10	I find it tragic that we shall not hear the immortal line 'THOMAAAS' ever again.:( :(

I find it tragic that we shall not hear the immortal line 'THOMAAAS' ever again.:( :(

snuffy

#7 Posted: 18-03-2004 14:06
Scaramanga Member Posts: 127	It's weird though ... I'm quite sure Cartoon Network is not broadcasting edited versions over here ... but I could of course be wrong. Think i'll wait for the R1 boxset.

It's weird though ... I'm quite sure Cartoon Network is not broadcasting edited versions over here ... but I could of course be wrong. Think i'll wait for the R1 boxset.

Scaramanga

#8 Posted: 18-03-2004 14:34
Michael Mackenzie Contributor Posts: 1651	Most of Cartoon Network's stock is edited, but a few aren't. They actually have two versions of "A Mouse in the House" in rotation, for example, one with the original Mammy voice and one with the dubbed one. Both copies omit a "blackface" gag, though. ------ Reviews | DVDs | My Web Site

Most of Cartoon Network's stock is edited, but a few aren't. They actually have two versions of "A Mouse in the House" in rotation, for example, one with the original Mammy voice and one with the dubbed one. Both copies omit a "blackface" gag, though.

Michael Mackenzie

#9 Posted: 18-03-2004 19:00
analogueman Ordinary Member Posts: 118	"It's weird though ... I'm quite sure Cartoon Network is not broadcasting edited versions over here ... but I could of course be wrong. Think i'll wait for the R1 boxset." Actually, both R1 and R2 releases contain the same butchered and censored cartoons. Waiting for the R1 boxset won't make any difference. As I said a few days ago... bugger!!! :mad:

"It's weird though ... I'm quite sure Cartoon Network is not broadcasting edited versions over here ... but I could of course be wrong. Think i'll wait for the R1 boxset." Actually, both R1 and R2 releases contain the same butchered and censored cartoons. Waiting for the R1 boxset won't make any difference. As I said a few days ago... bugger!!! :mad:

analogueman

#10 Posted: 18-03-2004 20:23
wamphyri Account Disabled Posts: 92	Looks like i will be keeping the videos after all, they are unaltered. This is another classic example of Political Correctness gone mad!! I would love to hear the official line on the changes & if the changes are so necessary why they still allowing the original cuts to be screened on TV???

Looks like i will be keeping the videos after all, they are unaltered. This is another classic example of Political Correctness gone mad!! I would love to hear the official line on the changes & if the changes are so necessary why they still allowing the original cuts to be screened on TV???

wamphyri

#11 Posted: 18-03-2004 21:32
Michael Mackenzie Contributor Posts: 1651	How old are your videos? I have one from the late 80s/early 90s that is unaltered, but the more recent ones have the new voice. ------ Reviews | DVDs | My Web Site

How old are your videos? I have one from the late 80s/early 90s that is unaltered, but the more recent ones have the new voice.

Michael Mackenzie

#12 Posted: 19-03-2004 10:41
wamphyri Account Disabled Posts: 92	Thats a very good question..... Ive got the double video collection tapes from most likely early 1990s, 3 volumes, so seems like we have the same ones. Got the Looney Toon sets as well at the same time (i think, the old memory aint what it used to be!!)

Thats a very good question..... Ive got the double video collection tapes from most likely early 1990s, 3 volumes, so seems like we have the same ones. Got the Looney Toon sets as well at the same time (i think, the old memory aint what it used to be!!)

wamphyri

#13 Posted: 21-03-2004 15:03
tokyomonkey Member Posts: 275	There's a very cheap Region 3 set available from HKFlix or Poker industries,which has all the early MGM Tom and Jerry cartoons (it skips the later Chuck Jones shorts,but I never really cared for them) Picture quality is variable -they've been remastered but some of the colours look a bit washed out,however all the cartoons are completely uncencored,including all the black face gags.They also have a few Tex Avery sets,which I'm assuming are also uncencored.The distributor is Buddah,though they deserve a black mark for replacing the MGM logo at the beginning of each cartoon with their own (really gaudy) one.Still,it looks like this is the only option to see these works of art in their original form.Check out http://tomandjerrycartoons.com for a full listing of all the cuts...

There's a very cheap Region 3 set available from HKFlix or Poker industries,which has all the early MGM Tom and Jerry cartoons (it skips the later Chuck Jones shorts,but I never really cared for them) Picture quality is variable -they've been remastered but some of the colours look a bit washed out,however all the cartoons are completely uncencored,including all the black face gags.They also have a few Tex Avery sets,which I'm assuming are also uncencored.The distributor is Buddah,though they deserve a black mark for replacing the MGM logo at the beginning of each cartoon with their own (really gaudy) one.Still,it looks like this is the only option to see these works of art in their original form.Check out http://tomandjerrycartoons.com for a full listing of all the cuts...

tokyomonkey

#14 Posted: 17-04-2004 19:51
Katchoo Member Posts: 2	This review is pretty accurate. The only difference between the dvd I bought and the one reviewed is that all the episodes are on it. It's a flipper disc. I wish I'd bothered to check up on this one before I bought it as I've very little inclination to bother watching the rest of it. It really is that bad. Bugger indeed. I'll be paying a few Region 3 sites a visit now I think. :mad:

This review is pretty accurate. The only difference between the dvd I bought and the one reviewed is that all the episodes are on it. It's a flipper disc. I wish I'd bothered to check up on this one before I bought it as I've very little inclination to bother watching the rest of it. It really is that bad. Bugger indeed. I'll be paying a few Region 3 sites a visit now I think. :mad:

Katchoo

#15 Posted: 05-05-2004 05:43
SicCoyote Member Posts: 21	That is very annoying, they just seem to be trying to push their most fanatical customers into the hands of bootleggers. ------ I didn't say this, I was not here.

That is very annoying, they just seem to be trying to push their most fanatical customers into the hands of bootleggers.

SicCoyote

#16 Posted: 14-05-2004 23:04
Katchoo Member Posts: 2	I've been fishing around online, and anisaki.com have the first six dvds (and the 6 disc) set for a very reasonable price. I just ordered the first 3 vols individually for £16 in total inc p+p. They're the Buddah releases mentioned further up the thread. All uncut and no silly dubbing.. avoid this sloppy release (as long as you don't mind the MGM logo being replaced).

I've been fishing around online, and anisaki.com have the first six dvds (and the 6 disc) set for a very reasonable price. I just ordered the first 3 vols individually for £16 in total inc p+p. They're the Buddah releases mentioned further up the thread. All uncut and no silly dubbing.. avoid this sloppy release (as long as you don't mind the MGM logo being replaced).

Katchoo

#17 Posted: 01-08-2004 22:19
seventy3cs Member Posts: 9	I have just bought the HMV exclusive of Volumes One and Two is a digipack boxset, naturally I've not had chance to watch them all yet but the three I have looked at are all untouched as far as I can make out. The Mammy voice is the original in Puss Gets The Boot and The Lonesome Mouse and the blackface gag in Yankee Doodle Mouse is present. I can only assume that: a) I juat happened to chose to watch three lucky episodes which are untampered or b) the HMV box set is different from the set you reviewed - any chance of letting us know which episodes were on the review copy and which ones were cut?

I have just bought the HMV exclusive of Volumes One and Two is a digipack boxset, naturally I've not had chance to watch them all yet but the three I have looked at are all untouched as far as I can make out. The Mammy voice is the original in Puss Gets The Boot and The Lonesome Mouse and the blackface gag in Yankee Doodle Mouse is present. I can only assume that: a) I juat happened to chose to watch three lucky episodes which are untampered or b) the HMV box set is different from the set you reviewed - any chance of letting us know which episodes were on the review copy and which ones were cut?

seventy3cs

#18 Posted: 03-08-2004 13:02
Michael Mackenzie Contributor Posts: 1651	seventy3cs, are you sure it's the original Mammy voice? I watched all the cartoons on my review copy (basically the first 12 of Vol. 1), and in every one that featured Mammy, she had been redubbed. ------ Reviews | DVDs | My Web Site

seventy3cs, are you sure it's the original Mammy voice? I watched all the cartoons on my review copy (basically the first 12 of Vol. 1), and in every one that featured Mammy, she had been redubbed.

Michael Mackenzie

#19 Posted: 03-08-2004 16:24
ScreenTest Member Posts: 8	Hi seventy3cs - to add to Michael Mackenzie's question immediately above about the redubbed 'Mammy'... Do you notice CUTS in the HMV Vol 1 & 2 package? as per- This web page Fans might like this site anyways, notice complete list of 'the golden era' T&J shorts- Here :mad: Generally - seems piss poor political correctness judgement calls and spurious claims about 'remastering' plague some T&J releases on DVD :mad:

Hi seventy3cs - to add to Michael Mackenzie's question immediately above about the redubbed 'Mammy'... Do you notice CUTS in the HMV Vol 1 & 2 package? as per- This web page Fans might like this site anyways, notice complete list of 'the golden era' T&J shorts-

ScreenTest

#20 Posted: 27-10-2004 18:42
seventy3cs Member Posts: 9	It's been an age I know :) But I have been a little busy, I will have a look at the web site ScreenTest and get back to you. Michael; as far as I can tell it's the original – I couldn't detect any obvious editing although I'm going on memory of the old toons as I never got around to buying them on VHS

It's been an age I know :) But I have been a little busy, I will have a look at the web site ScreenTest and get back to you. Michael; as far as I can tell it's the original – I couldn't detect any obvious editing although I'm going on memory of the old toons as I never got around to buying them on VHS

seventy3cs

#21 Posted: 30-10-2004 06:40
whodastan Member Posts: 1	Regarding the Buddha DVDs: I have the 6 volumes and there is some editing. I haven't watched all of them yet, but on Volume 4, "Saturday Evening Puss" is the version which replaces Mammy with a white girl, and in "His Mouse Friday" the dialogue has been removed. However, on Vol. 1, "Puss Gets the Boot" is original; Mammy threatens to throw Jasper "out -- o-w-t!" In the later edited version she spells it correctly. I don't know if there are any uncensored versions out there. There are currently some new DVDs from Japan but I haven't heard anything on their contents. I hate Ted Turner:rolleyes:

Regarding the Buddha DVDs: I have the 6 volumes and there is some editing. I haven't watched all of them yet, but on Volume 4, "Saturday Evening Puss" is the version which replaces Mammy with a white girl, and in "His Mouse Friday" the dialogue has been removed. However, on Vol. 1, "Puss Gets the Boot" is original; Mammy threatens to throw Jasper "out -- o-w-t!" In the later edited version she spells it correctly. I don't know if there are any uncensored versions out there. There are currently some new DVDs from Japan but I haven't heard anything on their contents. I hate Ted Turner:rolleyes:

whodastan