The theatrical history of Tom and Jerry has had three eras. First was when creators William Hanna and Joseph Barbera turning the mouse and cat into Oscar winning superstars. The final years of their cinematic life was guided by Chuck Jones. The middle era has been mostly hidden from view. This was a strange time when Gene Deitch had 13 cartoons produced in Prague, Czechoslovakia. They were noted for their violent imagery and jagged edges. These cartoons were what inspired Itchy and Scratchy on The Simpsons. Finally all 13 of the rough shorts are getting released on DVD with Tom and Jerry: The Gene Deitch Collection coming out on June 2. Here’s the press release from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment:
TOM AND JERRY: THE GENE DEITCH COLLECTION
ON DVD JUNE 2, 2015
Release Includes 13 Re-mastered Theatrical
Shorts and All-New Bonus Content
BURBANK, CA (February 5, 2015) – The work of popular animator Gene Deitch is the focus of Tom and Jerry: The Gene Deitch Collection, available on DVD June 2, 2015 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE). This compilation will present viewers with 13 fully re-mastered theatrical shorts, produced by Deitch, plus brand-new bonus features. It’s a release that collectors of classic animation, won’t want to miss! Tom and Jerry: The Gene Deitch Collection will retail for $26.99 SRP.
For decades, that tussling twosome Tom and Jerry have chased their way into the funny bones and hearts of moviegoers and television viewers in a variety of unforgettable cartoons. In the 1960s, acclaimed animation director Deitch, was selected to bring a new set of Tom and Jerry shorts to life. Adding his own distinctive style to the famous cartoon, Deitch worked with William L. Snyder’s Prague-based animation studio, Rembrandt Films, to create 13 memorable shorts. This entertaining collection from WBHE brings Deitch’s fun-filled cartoons together for the first time on DVD, completely re-mastered.
Tom and Jerry: The Gene Deitch Collection will include two bonus features: “Tom and Jerry…and Gene: The Rembrant Years” as well as “Much Ado About Tom and Jerry.”
“Over the years, there have been many artists who have put their own unique touch on Tom and Jerry cartoons. This collection recognizes the work of long-time animator Gene Deitch, who directed over a dozen shorts,” commented Mary Ellen Thomas, Vice President of Family and Animation Marketing. She added, “We’re delighted to bring these beautifully remastered shorts to collectors. If you are a fan of classic Tom and Jerry shorts or just love animation, this is a must-own DVD for your home entertainment library.”
Originally created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, Tom and Jerry centers on the never-ending rivalry between Tom the cat and Jerry the mouse. The plots of each short usually center on Tom’s attempts to capture Jerry. Jerry however, is clever and quick on his feet so Tom hardly ever manages to catch him. The original series is notable for having won the Academy Award for Best Short Subject: Cartoon seven times. Academy Award(s) & Oscar(s) are registered trademarks and service marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Featured Shorts:
Switchin’ Kitten
Down and Outing
It’s Greek to Me-ow!
High Steaks
Mouse Into Space
Landing Stripling
Calypso Cat
Dicky Moe
The Tom & Jerry Cartoon Kit
Tall in the Trap
Sorry Safari
Buddies Thicker Than Water
Carmen Get It!
Enhanced Content:
Tom and Jerry…and Gene: The Rembrandt Years
Much Ado About Tom and Jerry