Released on February 10, 1940, Puss Gets the Boot is a landmark in animation history - it introduced audiences to the chaotic cat-and-mouse duo that would later be known as Tom and Jerry. In this debut, Tom appears under the name "Jasper," while Jerry is simply referred to as a nameless mouse.
The short features the familiar slapstick dynamic: Jasper tries to catch the clever mouse but repeatedly fails, causing destruction and chaos in a house governed by a stern housemaid. The success of this short laid the foundation for what would become one of the most iconic cartoon duos of all time.
🎬 Why is it worth watching?
- First appearance of the Tom and Jerry formula
- Showcases early Hanna-Barbera animation style
- Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short
- A blueprint for decades of classic cartoon comedy
- Historical significance in MGM's animation legacy
🎨 Trivia
- Created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, though uncredited as directors
- Tom’s original name was Jasper, and Jerry had no name yet
- Despite studio skepticism, the short was a hit leading to an entire series
- The housemaid character would evolve into the recurring "Mammy Two Shoes"