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