“Tom & Jerry” is a timeless animated series that first aired in 1940 and continues to be enjoyed in various adaptations today.
The actual fur color of Tom the cat in Tom and Jerry is not entirely gray or blue, but rather a combination of both colors. According to the official description from producer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Tom is a short-haired cat with a blue-gray coat. However, throughout the long history of Tom and Jerry animation, Tom’s color has slightly changed over time and depending on the animator.
In the 1940 version, Tom was depicted with a gray coat that leaned more towards blue, giving him quite a sad appearance. Initially, Tom was named “Jasper” (inspired by the character Jasper from the animated short “Puss Gets the Boot” (1937) by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera), but Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer decided to change the name to “Tom” after a vote, believing Jasper did not sound appealing enough.
In 1942, Tom’s appearance underwent its first change with slight color adjustments. Additionally, the look no longer seemed as silly as the first version, and the overall sad feeling was much lighter.
In 1944, Tom’s image was adjusted for the third time, with darker colors compared to 1942. However, the overall color remained gray but shifted from light gray to darker gray with more blue tints, and his four paws also changed, with his hands and feet becoming much whiter compared to 1942.
In 1950, Tom was changed to a gray color similar to 1942 but slightly darker. The overall image appeared more graceful, interesting, and fierce.
Since 1955, Tom’s color gradually became predominantly blue. This period marked the beginning of Tom’s color transformation, and his overall appearance became softer and more well-behaved.
In 1958, Tom completely transformed into a blue cat. Prior to this, “Tom and Jerry” faced a crisis that nearly led to its dissolution.
In 1961, Tom transitioned directly from dark blue to a more vibrant light blue. During this period, MGM sought to revive the commercial value of Tom and Jerry, restarting the animation department and hiring Gene Deitch as the animator for the series. From 1961 to 1962, they produced 13 “Tom and Jerry” cartoons, with Rembrandt Films in Eastern Europe, led by Jean Deitch, responsible for this production.
In 1963, Tom’s image underwent a significant change when Chuck Jones from Warner Bros came to MGM as the producer of “Tom and Jerry.” Tom’s eyebrows were thickened to convey aggression, and his tail also became larger and changed to gray.
In 1975, Tom’s image was changed to that of a taller cat, with lighter gray fur, but Tom had a large tail that often caused trouble. Thus, in the storylines, Tom frequently found himself in trouble due to his own body. During this period, production was primarily handled by Hanna-Barbera Studios.
In 1980, Tom’s appearance changed to a black-gray color, which at first glance could easily be mistaken for Butch, a black stray cat. However, this image can be considered a relatively significant change.
In 1990, “Tom and Jerry” was produced by Feimison Studios. Tom’s character underwent a direct transformation from a fierce adult cat to a small, cute kitten.
In 1992, due to the discontent of old fans with the mini version of Tom, his image finally returned to form and was transformed into that of an adult blue cat.
In 2006, Warner Bros took over the production of “Tom and Jerry” and created a modern version of Tom and Jerry, once again changing Tom and Jerry’s character design.
In 2014, Tom’s image underwent a relatively small change, which has remained unchanged to this day. Although the changes were not significant, the image quality and details were adjusted, including changes to the eyebrows, eyes, etc. This can be considered a relatively successful adjustment.
Interesting Facts About Tom the Cat in “Tom and Jerry” 1. Real Name and Origin Tom the cat was originally named “Jasper” in his first appearance in 1940. Later, he was renamed “Tom” to better fit the character’s image. Tom was inspired by the pet cat of animator William Hanna. 2. “Supernatural” Abilities Tom possesses many extraordinary abilities that far exceed those of an ordinary cat, such as: running like the wind, enduring pain, and having a flexible body, etc. These abilities are often humorously displayed in dangerous situations or when Tom tries to catch Jerry. 3. Relationship with Jerry Despite their ongoing conflicts, Tom and Jerry sometimes show care and assistance towards each other. This is clearly depicted in several episodes, especially when they face a common enemy or encounter difficulties. 4. Sidekicks Tom and Jerry have many other companions in the animated series, including: dog Spike, duck Daffy, mouse Nibbles, etc. Each character brings their own humorous and interesting elements to the episodes. 5. Awards and Recognition Tom and Jerry is one of the most successful animated series of all time, having won 13 Oscars and numerous other prestigious awards. The series has been translated into over 160 languages and aired in most countries around the world. |
