Oh my goodness you'll never believe it, Tom actually 'dies' goes to hell, and learns the error of his nefarious feline ways, it's pretty awesome! The idea of this one is brilliant but it's not quite unique to the series, it's very similar to "The Cat and the Mermouse", where the action goes under the sea! I'm not nitpicking, it was a great idea in that classic and it works just as well here. I always really loved the way the house is done as it appears in this short from this period. Everything is so cosy and richly textured, and it all clearly had so much passion and diligence put into it from the animators, and that's one of the things about Tom and Jerry that always sticks with you. I especially love the glorious golden details on the express train, and escalator to heaven! Wonder if Matt Groaning ever happened to see this one as a kid? It's already been noted, but that really is a rather subtly grim sight gag with the sack full of drowned kittens arriving in heaven. I doubt very much that anyone ever got the meaning of that as a kid. So the story is that Tom dies via a thorough piano crushing, and, lovably cowardly worm that he is, first tries to force the signature of forgiveness that he needs from Jerry in order to avoid getting thrown into hell which is run by a bulldog-devil, and the funniest part of it for me is how Tom actually gets mad when Jerry refuses to sign the document! Eventually though, after a terrific display of charades from Tom, the not totally-unforgiving Jerry agrees to sign - but by that point it's actually too late and things get a little hairy as the escalator before Tom vanishes and below him pops up a boiling cauldron and a laughing devil dog eagerly awaiting his arrival! And as the cat gets dunked in the pot, the twist happens, as it's revealed that the whole thing has been but a dream, and Tom is merely getting singed by the coals from the fireplace! But it wasn't all for nothing, as Tom is overjoyed to be alive and well and immediately runs to give a very confused Jerry a big hug and kisses! It's probably the sweetest ending in the scariest episode and I love it, it's a timelessly wonderful animation, one of the classic duo's very best. Thank you!
Review of Heavenly Puss
