Unwatched Video Review: Tom and Jerry’s Greatest Chases
I wholeheartedly endorse a DVD that I have not viewed: Tom and Jerry’s Greatest Chases.
I purchased this on a whim for less than $5 at Target two days ago. We had a road trip coming up and it is often a good idea to provide some form of fresh entertainment for the children. Since my previous attempts at surprising them with a new DVD went over poorly (The Last Unicorn and The Secret of NIHM, both of which were too frightening) I veered towards the completely juvenile.
This turns out to have been the way to go. My five year old son and three year old daughter laughed out loud throughout the DVD, and even offered commentary such as, “The piano one was good, but the kitchen one was better.” and, “I really like the mouse but the cat is mean.”
After playing it through once the kids asked for us to play it again immediately, which never happens.
While I didn’t watch the videos themselves, I can say that the soundtrack is excellent. In fact all of the music was familiar from hours spent in front of the TV in childhood. Given that we don’t have cable my children have not been exposed to any classic animation other than old Disney movies. I’m thinking that I’ll have to change that soon. Perhaps with a Looney Tunes collection?
The one I would be most interested in, if it existed, would be Tom and Jerry’s Greatest Rube Goldberg Contraptions.
Comment by BTD Greg — February 12, 2009 @ 9:20 am
Gotta do Roadrunner and Wile E, dude.
Comment by Susan M — February 12, 2009 @ 9:30 am
Excellent review.
I got vols I & II of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Comment by Supergenius — February 12, 2009 @ 9:40 am
Funny about Unicorn and NIMH. My wife tried the same thing with Fraggle Rock. Me and the kids were like, “What the hell?”
My almost 3-year old loves Tom & Jerry (it’s on Boomerang) so I might have to swing by Target.
Looney Tunes are always good and you can’t find a lot of them on cable anymore, most likely due to the not-so-subtle racism many of them contain. Not kidding.
Comment by Tim J — February 12, 2009 @ 9:45 am
There’s some of that, but I bet it’s more due to the high demands of WB’s licensing. There’s some racism in Tom & Jerry as well. It’s just a product of the times.
Frankly, I think Speedy Gonzales gets a bum rap. And don’t even get me started about “Song of the South.”
Comment by BTD Greg — February 12, 2009 @ 9:54 am
Susan M,
That is what my wife said, but I didn’t see those for $5 at Target.
Comment by a random John — February 12, 2009 @ 10:05 am
The best DVD we’ve bought for car viewing is the Muppet Show. It’s one of only a couple of DVDs that’s good for both the 11 year old and the 2 year old. Also, it’s really long, which means less stops to switch out the movie.
Comment by Allison — February 12, 2009 @ 11:17 am
The Muppet show is universal. I think most people of all ages can enjoy the Muppet Show. It was about the only thing my dad would watch with us kids. He loved the hecklers. Good stuff.
Comment by Ian M. Cook — February 12, 2009 @ 12:16 pm
I have been surprised ast the racism in some old Disney movies. Anyone seen an old copy of Peter Pan? Yeesh. Good thing they changed their attitude toward Native Americans before making Pocahontas.
Comment by MCQ — February 12, 2009 @ 12:58 pm
This is a favorite at my house. Totally worth all 500 pennies.
And my 12 year old son once asked me if Tom & Jerry cartoons were made before Martin Luther King’s time when he noticed the maid is always black. I’m sure pretty much all of the old cartoons have some degree of racism in them.
Comment by bythelbs — February 12, 2009 @ 6:58 pm
I picked that disc up at Target too, and my kids LOVE it.
Comment by tracy m — February 12, 2009 @ 8:54 pm
Oh, amd my seven-year old hasn’t stopped talking about Supergenius’ Looney Tunes collection since we visited last month.
Comment by tracy m — February 12, 2009 @ 8:55 pm
Itchy and Scratchy! I have fond memories of the episodes (I think there was more than one) when they left the freezer open and the sink running, which (of course!) turned the kitchen into an ice rink. Mad-capped cartoon violence on ice skates? Are you kidding! Did that make the DVD? If so, I am getting out my wallet.
Comment by S. P. Bailey — February 13, 2009 @ 3:09 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aR6QECFlX4
Comment by S. P. Bailey — February 13, 2009 @ 3:22 pm
Shawn,
Mice Follies is on it.
Comment by a random John — February 15, 2009 @ 10:28 pm
Best news I’ve heard all day.
Comment by S. P. Bailey — February 16, 2009 @ 4:40 pm
http://comicsworthreading.com/2008/11/06/looney-tunes-golden-collection-volume-6-part-2/
Comment by luckyion — May 1, 2009 @ 11:44 am