We’ve talked a bit about Hanna Barbera before, while they had a lot of iconic characters and shows Tom and Jerry were no exception. We all remember the classic cat and mouse characters. The show originally started out as a series of shorts, having an initial run of 114 shorts for MGM from 1940-1958. In that time they won seven Academy Awards for animated short films.
Just as a lot of other shows from that era, the show comprised of over the top gags of Tom and Jerry trying to best each other. Tom trying to capture Jerry, Jerry evades his attempts, and then chaos ensues. Even through all of their attempts at getting each other there are moments during the show in which they show that they care for each other.
The show was known for its grotesque violence. With Jerry’s retaliation being more over the top than Tom’s initial act. The show has been criticized for how violent it is, but there is no blood or gore shown on screen.
I could go on and on about this classic show, but you should really just watch it. It doesn’t age the best with some controversial bits, like most shows from that era. But almost everyone knows of the show, and Tom & Jerry is now synonymous with long standing rivalries.