The Mouse From H.U.N.G.E.R (1967)

 

With most of the Tom and Jerry cartoons focusing on slapstick and character driven comedy, Tom and Jerry shorts that are actually parodies are rather rare. The Mouse from H.U.N.G.E.R. is an exception. It is a parody of the TV series The Man from U.N.C.L.E. 

 In this short film, Jerry is a secret agent who is assigned to recover a fridge full of cheese from enemy agent Tom Thrush (a reference to the evil organization T.H.R.U.S.H. from The Man from U.N.C.L.E.).  

This is one of the weakest Tom and Jerry shorts of the Chuck Jones produced era. Though it is about the same length as most Tom and Jerry cartoons, it feels too short in a way other cartoons don't. Part of this is that too much of the runtime is taken with setting up the story. By the time Jerry actually makes it to Tom's hideout, there is not much time for the typical Tom and Jerry action. This also leads to a surprising lack of gags here. The few gags there are here are simply not that funny. As with many of the non-Chuck Jones directed shorts from this era, the timing is off. Because of this the basic gags we see here have been done better in countless other cartoons. This is not helped by some weak drawings that find their way into the cartoon. 

Abe Levitow is the credited director. Bob Ogle is the credited writer. The credited animators are Philip Roman, Ben Washam, Ken Harris, Don Towsley, Tom Ray and Dick Thompson. Bob Inman is the credited background artist. Don Morgan is the credited layout artist. 

This film is available on the DVD sets Tom and Jerry: Classic Collection Volume 6, Tom and Jerry: The Chuck Jones Collection and Tom and Jerry's Adventures as well the VHS set Tom & Jerry Cartoon Festival: Volume 4 and the Laserdisc set The Art of Tom & Jerry: Volume III: The Chuck Jones Cartoons. 

The cartoon aired on the Toon in With Me episodes Tyler (2021), Yee Chowdy! (2022), I Spy (2022), Toony and Bill Dial-Up 1995 (2025), Women's History - Going Undercover (2026). 

This marks the 157th Tom and Jerry cartoon. 

-Michael J. Ruhland 

Cannery Rodent (1967)

 

Cannery Rodent marks the last Tom and Jerry cartoon to be directed by Chuck Jones, though 
Chuck would continue to produce a few more shorts featuring the cat and mouse after this.

This short film begins with Tom and Jerry chasing each other into a fish canning factory and become canned themselves (hence the film's title). After they get out of the cans, they have one of their typical chases around a dock with a shark getting involved in the action as well. 

Cannery Rodent is an enjoyable but rather forgettable cartoon. Every gag here has been done before and none of them are really that funny here. Because it is neither that original nor funny this is a cartoon that will simply blend in with other Tom and Jerry cartoons in your mind. Though I have seen this cartoon plenty of times, it is one I often forget about when I think of the Tom and Jerry shorts of this era. Despite not being especially memorable, this cartoon still is fun. It moves at a fast pace, and the gags feature some strong timing. The character animation is pretty strong at times (especially with Tom). Dean Elliot's rocking '60's score is energetic and a lot of fun. This is one of those cartoons that you will enjoy watching but forget about not long after you watch it.

 

The title of the film is a play on the 1945 John Steinbeck novel, Cannery Row. This is not the only cartoon to have a title referencing that novel. A Sylvester and Tweety cartoon was titled Canary Row (1950). That cartoon has a special importance for cartoon fans as it was the film debut of Granny. 

The credited animators on this Cannery Rodent are Ben Washam, Ken Harris, Don Towsley, Tom Ray, Dick Thompson, O.B. Barkley and Bob Kirk. Philip DeGuard is the credited background artist. As well as a director's credit Chuck Jones also receives a story credit here. This marks the 156th Tom and Jerry cartoon. 

This film is available on the DVD sets Tom and Jerry: Classic Collection Volume 6 and Tom and Jerry: The Chuck Jones Collection, the VHS set Tom and Jerry: Blue Cat Blues and the Laserdisc set The Art of Tom & Jerry: Volume III: The Chuck Jones Cartoons. 

This cartoon was featured in the Toon in With Me episodes, Stuff & Nonsense #7 (2021), Can of Cake! (2021), What's in the Box... of Wigs? (2022), Game Show Time! (2024) and *Cabin Fever (2025)

-Michael J. Ruhland 

Rock 'N' Rodent (1967)

 

Like how The Zoot Cat (1944) was clearly a product of the 1940's, Rock 'N' Rodent is clearly a product of the 1960's. With the character designs of Jerry's bandmates, the rocking soundtrack and the use of colors, anyone can clearly tell what decade this cartoon was released during. 

 

In this short film, Jerry is jamming with his bad at a hip rodent night club. Unfortunately, Tom is trying to sleep upstairs, and the music isn't letting him. 

This is one of the more fun, Tom and Jerrys to be directed by Abe Levitow. Much of this comes for the sheer style of the film. The use of color and lighting in the night club scenes is simply wonderful making this a pure visual treat. Carl Brandt's music is also a pure delight and gives a really fun 1960's energy to this movie. This cartoon also has improvements over some of the usual flaws of Levitow's Tom and Jerry shorts. Perhaps inspired by the fact the film revolves around music, the gags are actually quite well timed here. There is also some strong character animation in a couple scenes, especially when Jerry is getting himself ready in the mirror. 

However, the final gag is a bit too predictable and anti-climatic and I wish Tom and Jerry shared more scenes in this cartoon. 

The credited animators are Ben Washam, Dick Thompson, Tom Ray, Don Towsley and Ken Harris. Bob Ogle is the credited writer. Carl Brandt receives a music credit. Philip DeGuard is the credited background artist, and Don Morgan is the credited layout artist. 

This film is on the DVD sets Tom and Jerry: Classic Collection Volume 6, Tom and Jerry: The Chuck Jones Collection, Tom and Jerry: Fur Flying Adventures - Volume 1, Tom and Jerry's Musical Mayhem, Tom and Jerry: Mouse Trouble and Tom and Jerry: Chaos Concerto. The cartoon also appears on the VHS sets Tom and Jerry: The Missing Mouse and Vid-ee-oh! Rap Toon Show and the Laserdisc set The Art of Tom & Jerry: Volume III: The Chuck Jones Cartoons. It can also be found as a bonus feature on the Blu-Ray for the Elvis Presley movie, Double Trouble (1967). 

This short film appeared on the Toon in with Me episodes All Rhyme, No Reason (2021), Open Mic Night #2 (2021), Fantastic Friday #47 (2022), Making the Band (2023), Hipstery (2024), Reunited... So Good (2025) and Pillow Talk (2026).

-Michael J. Ruhland