Snowbody Loves Me (1964)

 

Note: This review contains spoilers.

Though Tom and Jerry are best known for slapstick violence, many of their films have a surprising amount of sentimentality in them. Most of these sentimental films come from the original era, where the cartoons were directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. However later directors would also occasionally create more sentimental Tom and Jerry cartoons. Snowbody Loves Me was the first time Chuck Jones directed a more sentimentally inclined Tom and Jerry short. 

In this short film, Tom is relaxing all nice, cozy and warm in a nice warm cheese shop, while everything is covered in snow outside. Jerry however is outside freezing. Jerry finds his way inside and Tom tries to kick him out. Eventually Tom gets Jerry out in the snow. While Jerry freezes outside guilt overtakes Tom. Tom lets Jerry back in, nurses him back to warmth. The film ends with Tom playing the piano and his new friend Jerry dancing along. 

This is a very charming cartoon. Tom and Jerry are both at their most likable and relatable here. It is hard not to automatically sympathize and care about them. The story itself is very charming a sweet. It may be very reminiscent of previous films like The Night Before Christmas (1941) and Puppy Tale (1954). When the sentimental ending comes around it feels earned. The character animation is often excellent and makes the characters come to life, even if sometimes the drawings can look a little too cutesy. 

However, this film is lacking in any real laughs. Still, it is charming enough to make up for this. 

Eugene Poddany's score includes multiple uses of the music of Frédéric Chopin. The opening scene uses his Étude Op. 10 No. 12 "Revolutionary." Grande valse brillante Op. 34 no. 1 plays when Jerry sees the sign to the cheese shop. Grande valse brillante Op. 18 plays as Jerry peers through the window. Nocturne Op. 15 no. 2 plays as Tom is warming himself with his blanket. Étude Op. 10 no. 2. can be heard as Tom goes down the chimney. Étude Op. 10 no. 4 plays as Jerry lights the fireplace. Étude Op. 25 no. 9 "Butterfly" is heard when Tom is blowing air into a block of cheese. Prélude Op. 28 no. 20 plays as Tom drops the anvil. Étude Op. 25 no. 1. is heard as the cheese explodes. Scherzo Op. 31. plays as Tom clasps his hands around Jerry. Impromptu in c-sharp minor Op. 66 “Fantaisie-Impromptu” is heard as Tom throws Jerry out into the cold. This music is not only great to listen to but fits the action perfectly. 



The credited animators on this film are Dick Thompson, Ben Washam, Ken Harris, Don Towsley and Tom Ray. Maurice Noble gets a co-directing credit. Chuck Jones and Michael Maltese share a story credit. This marks the 132nd Tom and Jerry cartoon. 

This film is available on the DVD sets Tom and Jerry: Paws for a Holiday, Tom and Jerry: Classic Collection Volume 6, Tom and Jerry: The Chuck Jones Collection, Tom and Jerry: Fur Flying Adventures - Volume 2, Tom and Jerry's Winter Wackiness, Tom and Jerry: Winter Tails as well as the Laserdisc set The Art of Tom & Jerry: Volume III: The Chuck Jones Cartoons and the VHS sets Tom and Jerry: Tom and Chérie, Tom and Jerry: Snowbody Loves Me, Christmas Cartoon Capers and Christmas Collection: Looney Tunes. Though the latter VHS has Looney Tunes in its name as well as including many Looney Tunes shorts it also features three Tom and Jerry shorts. These shorts are The Night Before Christmas, The A-Tom-Inable Snowman (1966) and Snowbody Loves Me.

-Michael J. Ruhland