The Dog House (1952)

 

This short film marks the last Tom and Jerry cartoon to be released in 1952 (and the 72nd Tom and Jerry short overall), ending the year on a strong note. 

In this short film, Spike is trying to build himself a new doghouse. However, when Tom (while chasing Jerry) accidently knocks over the doghouse, Spike tells him that if he damages the house again there will be murder. Tom has to try to catch Jerry without damaging Spike's house, which proves to be a lot more difficult than it sounds.

This is a delightful little short. The basic storyline has been done before and would be done again. However, it is very well handled here. Plus, the point of this cartoon is not the story but the comedy. This cartoon features a rapid succession of gags. While these gags may not be as laugh out loud funny as some of the gags in the 40's shorts, many of them put a real smile on my face. William Hanna is at the top of his game when it comes to his comic timing here. Not only are the gags perfectly timed, but the way they are delivered one after another creates a pure comic energy that I find very hard to resist. It just makes this whole film tons of fun and even made me enjoy the gags that I may not have even laughed at. Again, the character animation for all three characters is perfect making each of them feel completely real to us.

The credited animators on this film are Kenneth Muse, Irven Spence, Ray Patterson and Ed Barge. John Didrik Johnsen was credited as the background artist for this cartoon, making this the second Tom and Jerry film to credit the background artist. As well as doing background art for the Hanna and Barbera Tom and Jerry shorts, Johnson also did background art for other MGM cartoons, including those directed by Tex Avery and Dick Lundy. The scene with Tom breaking a hole through the door was reused from Love That Pup (1949). This film is available on the DVD set Tom and Jerry Spotlight Collection, Vol. 3 and the DVDs, Tom & Jerry's Greatest Chases Vol. 5, Tom and Jerry: In the Dog House, Tom and Jerry: Pint-Sized Pals and Tom and Jerry: Classic Collection Volume 3.

Below is the movie poster for this film. Note how it has nothing to do with the cartoon itself.