Cartoon a Day:The Bodyguard

The Bodyguard
1944
Directed by William Hanna & Joseph Barbera
Available on: Tom and Jerry Spotlight Collection

In this Tom and Jerry short, Jerry manages to get away from being chased by Tom long enough to free Spike the bulldog from the dog catchers truck. The grateful pooch offers the mouse his protection in gratitude, all Jerry has to do is whistle and Spike will be there.


Spike's quick entrances to pummel Tom make for some funny moments, and Tom giving Jerry a glue covered gumball to prevent him from whistling adds a different element to the mix, but ultimately this is a pretty standard Tom and Jerry short.


There also isn't much of a payoff in the ending. There is a big buildup, but ultimately the ending just puts us right back where we started from. The setup was ripe for a big gag that just didn't happen. It's enjoyable, but there just isn't anything that leaps out at you as extraordinary.