"Johann Mouse" is an American Hanna Barbera cartoon from 1952, so this one has its 65th anniversary this year already and it is of course once again about Tom & Jerry. Actually, it is one of the most known animated short films starring the world's most famous cat and mouse duo. One reason is narrator Hans Conried, another reason is the Oscar win and finally it is just very different compared to generic T&J cartoons. It is set in the 19th century and Tom is the cat of famous composer Johann Strauss while Jerry has to dance every time he hears Strauss play. Or his cat as Tom takes over in Strauss' absence and he has learned enough from his master to be invited to perform for the emperor, Tom at the piano and Jerry as a dancer. What a peculiarity! So you see with this plot, there is not a great deal for funny or spectacular chase sequences anymore in here and that's really what makes it a fairly different T&J watch, even if the very ending is back to normal. And here and there, it's a funny moment included too like the deformed iron rod with which Tom tries to hit Jerry. Actually hits him, Mouse of Steel anybody? A good watch for Tom and Jerry fans for sure and for Strauss lovers as this one is packed with music by the famous Austrian composer. A good watch of 7.5 minutes and I give it a thumbs-up. Just don't consider it as representative of the series at all.

Narrated in storybook fashion by Hans Conried, this cartoon tells of a mouse (Jerry, as Johann Mouse) who, living in the same house as Viennese composer Johann Strauss, loves nothing more than to waltz. The problem is that, whenever he emerges to dance, the cat (Tom) tries to catch him (although never succeeding). When Strauss leaves home for a few days, the cat teaches itself how to play the piano (in six easy lessons) to lure the mouse from his mouse-hole. When the curious house servants see the cat and mouse playing and dancing together, news spreads to the palace and the pair are commanded to perform.An absolutely charming tale, with a wonderful classical soundtrack, Johann Mouse sees Tom once again taking to tinkling the ivories with hilarious results. The scene at the palace is absolutely wonderful, the cat and mouse performing together to a delighted audience providing some really good laughs, making this a well-deserved winner of an Oscar.

Jerry the mouse, here known as Johann Mouse lives in the house of Viennese composer Johann Strauss. Every time Johann plays his music, the mouse can't help but waltz to the tune. So when the master is away the cat learns to play music. But the servants hear Tom playing and soon enough Tom and the mouse are playing for the Emporer. This short won an Oscar for best cartoon short subject in 1953 and it's easy to see why, because while it's not hilarious, it is amusing, charming, and will bring a smile to your face. This amusing animated short can be found on disc 2 of Warner Brother's 2-DVD Spotlight Collection set.My Grade: B+

This cartoon quite rightly won an Oscar and is probably one of the top two or three best that they did. With narration by Hans Conreid (one of the best voices for narration work and particularly for animation work), this also features Strauss's music to advantage and is just a delight to watch. Somewat static animation because of a sorybook framing device, but it's still a marvelous idea in conception and execution. Most highly recommended.