The Million Dollar Cat
Encyclopedia
The Million Dollar Cat is a 1944
one-reel animated cartoon
and is the 14th Tom and Jerry
short
. It was produced in Technicolor
and released to theatres on May 6, 1944 by Metro-Goldwyn Mayer. It was reissued for re-release in 1951
.
The plot revolves around Tom becoming a millionaire after his owners' aunt dies, though there is a catch; he will lose all benefits if he harms any animal, including a mouse. Jerry, portrayed as a blackhearted magician in this episode, takes advantage of this, however Jerry soon finds out that if Tom is pushed far enough, even a million dollars won't stop him from striking back.
The next day, news of Tom's inheritence quickly spreads. Tom moves into 1 Park Avenue
. Although he, at first, enjoys the attention, Jerry decides to use the telegram's 'EVEN A MOUSE' rules against Tom by moving to 1/2 Park Avenue. He then continually follows Tom, despite the cat's best attempts to get rid of him and proceeds to take advantage of his freedom through various means, including smashing Tom's bib in his face, eating his sundae and even throwing him out of bed whilst still asleep.
The next morning, after Jerry steals his bathroom towel, Tom decides to get rid of Jerry. After a few ideas, he eventually decides on hanging a FIRE EXIT sign on the window. He starts a fire in front of the bathroom door, and Jerry promptly jumps out the window. The cat cheers before sitting down to enjoy his breakfast, when he grabs his napkin, however, he uncovers Jerry, who posts the telegram on the table and eats Tom's breakfast. As a final insult, he attacks Tom yet again with the rest of the breakfast material and also smashes Tom's bib in his face. This proves to be the final straw: Tom has had enough, he explodes with rage, and a shocked Jerry realizes that he has pushed Tom too far. Tom grabs the telegram, rips it to pieces and even goes as far as forcing the 'EVEN A MOUSE' rule into Jerry's mouth. Tom then screams maniacally and starts attacking Jerry. After a few seconds, he reflects on what he is about to do ("Gee, I'm throwing away a million dollars"), then goes back to attacking Jerry ("BUT I'M HAPPY!").
1944 in film
The year 1944 in film involved some significant events, including the wholesome, award-winning Going My Way plus popular murder mysteries such as Double Indemnity, Gaslight and Laura.-Events:*July 20 - Since You Went Away is released....
one-reel animated cartoon
Animated cartoon
An animated cartoon is a short, hand-drawn film for the cinema, television or computer screen, featuring some kind of story or plot...
and is the 14th Tom and Jerry
Tom and Jerry
Tom and Jerry are the cat and mouse cartoon characters that were evolved starting in 1939.Tom and Jerry also may refer to:Cartoon works featuring the cat and mouse so named:* The Tom and Jerry Show...
short
Short subject
A short film is any film not long enough to be considered a feature film. No consensus exists as to where that boundary is drawn: the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all...
. It was produced in Technicolor
Technicolor
Technicolor is a color motion picture process invented in 1916 and improved over several decades.It was the second major process, after Britain's Kinemacolor, and the most widely used color process in Hollywood from 1922 to 1952...
and released to theatres on May 6, 1944 by Metro-Goldwyn Mayer. It was reissued for re-release in 1951
1951 in film
The year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:...
.
The plot revolves around Tom becoming a millionaire after his owners' aunt dies, though there is a catch; he will lose all benefits if he harms any animal, including a mouse. Jerry, portrayed as a blackhearted magician in this episode, takes advantage of this, however Jerry soon finds out that if Tom is pushed far enough, even a million dollars won't stop him from striking back.
Plot
A telegram arrives to Tom that reads, "Madam...In accord with the wishes of your eccentric Aunt Harriet your cat Thomas has been left the sum of one million dollars", something that makes Tom very happy. Jerry also reads the letter and gets just as happy as Tom. Tom quickly learns why after reading the telegram again, because the telegram also states "Terms of will specify that all benefits cease immediately should the cat bring harm to any living thing...EVEN A MOUSE".The next day, news of Tom's inheritence quickly spreads. Tom moves into 1 Park Avenue
Park Avenue (Manhattan)
Park Avenue is a wide boulevard that carries north and southbound traffic in New York City borough of Manhattan. Through most of its length, it runs parallel to Madison Avenue to the west and Lexington Avenue to the east....
. Although he, at first, enjoys the attention, Jerry decides to use the telegram's 'EVEN A MOUSE' rules against Tom by moving to 1/2 Park Avenue. He then continually follows Tom, despite the cat's best attempts to get rid of him and proceeds to take advantage of his freedom through various means, including smashing Tom's bib in his face, eating his sundae and even throwing him out of bed whilst still asleep.
The next morning, after Jerry steals his bathroom towel, Tom decides to get rid of Jerry. After a few ideas, he eventually decides on hanging a FIRE EXIT sign on the window. He starts a fire in front of the bathroom door, and Jerry promptly jumps out the window. The cat cheers before sitting down to enjoy his breakfast, when he grabs his napkin, however, he uncovers Jerry, who posts the telegram on the table and eats Tom's breakfast. As a final insult, he attacks Tom yet again with the rest of the breakfast material and also smashes Tom's bib in his face. This proves to be the final straw: Tom has had enough, he explodes with rage, and a shocked Jerry realizes that he has pushed Tom too far. Tom grabs the telegram, rips it to pieces and even goes as far as forcing the 'EVEN A MOUSE' rule into Jerry's mouth. Tom then screams maniacally and starts attacking Jerry. After a few seconds, he reflects on what he is about to do ("Gee, I'm throwing away a million dollars"), then goes back to attacking Jerry ("BUT I'M HAPPY!").