"Solid Serenade" is a little cartoon movie from 1946, so this one is already over 70 years old. It is by Hanna Barbera and as such of course another Tom & Jerry cartoon and it runs the usual slightly over 7 minutes for these. With the "unusual" in my title I mean that this one includes a bigger deal of music than they usually do as Tom is serenading his (potential girlfriend) for almost the entirety of the first half of the film. But afterward the usual chase scenes follow. Spike behind Tom. Tom behind Jerry. I think the music here is good and so are comedy as well as animation. You can see this is from the Golden Age of Animation. And even if this is one of the more known T&J films that did not manage to score an Oscar nomination, it is still a fairly good watch, almost a must see for cartoon lovers. Go check it out.

This short opens with Tom heading over to serenade Toodles. After hitting Spike over the head with a mallet and tying him up Tom sings 'Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby' while playing the double bass. She enjoys the music but Jerry doesn't; he is trying to sleep but the noise is bouncing him around his room. Eventually he can stand it no longer and ends Tom's performance with a pie (containing an iron) to the face! Not happy at the intrusion Tom chases after him only to see Jerry undoing the ropes that he'd used to tie up Spike... a quick about turn and Tom is fleeing for his life. We get the usual to and fro as Tom and Spike fight with the expected interference from Jerry. Even with all the fighting Tom doesn't forget he is there to woo Toodles... pity he accidentally kisses Spike!This is a really good entry into the 'Tom and Jerry' series; I was expecting Jerry to disrupt Tom's performance but thankfully he waited till it was just about over as I was really enjoying it; using a well known song reminded me of some early 'Betty Boop' shorts. Once the action starts it is the sort of violence one expects; gratuitous and funny; the best joke isn't violent at all though; it is when Tom goes to kiss Toodles with his eyes closed but ends up kissing Spike and saying how much he loves her (him)... then realises his mistake! The animation is really good; typical of the period and much better than some of the later efforts; I loved the little details such as Jerry's sardine tin bed and table with matches for legs.

My brother, sisters and I have loved Tom and Jerry since a very young age. Solid Serenade is one of my favourite cartoons of their, not my absolute favourite though. It is I agree quite violent especially the ending but it is certainly not the most violent, nor a cartoon that is so violent it's unwatchable. Plus the visual gags are funny and inventive. Also helping enormously are the lovely animation and the superb music, the song that Tom sings is really beautiful and romantic. The vocals weren't half bad either. The characters are fine as well, Spike(or Killer as he is known here) isn't given as much to do but he can be quite savage here, while Tom is both charming and dastardly and Jerry sweet and clever. Plus the female cat is a stunner! Overall, if you love Tom and Jerry this is a must see! 10/10 Bethany Cox

Spike the dog (here called Killer, in later cartoons he'd be called Butch) is tied up by Tom the cat so he can serenade the lady he has his eye on with the song "Is you is or is you ain't my baby". He wakes up Jerry the mouse, who tortures him for his act of love by throwing stuff at him. This prompts Tom to grow aggravated and the game of cat and mouse is on. Jerry unties Butch (Killer) to let the dog get into the action. This is a great Tom and Jerry cartoon and Tom's singing is classic stuff. This hilarious cartoon short can be found on disc one of the Spotlight collection DVD of "Tom & Jerry" My Grade: A