Heavenly Puss
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| Heavenly Puss | |
| Tom and Jerry series | |
 The title card of Heavenly Puss |
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| Directed by | William Hanna Joseph Barbera |
|---|---|
| Story by | William Hanna (unc.) Joseph Barbera (unc.) |
| Animation by | Ray Patterson Irven Spence Kenneth Muse Ed Barge |
| Music by | Scott Bradley |
| Produced by | Fred Quimby |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| Release date | July 9, 1949 |
| Format | Technicolor, 7 min |
| Language | English |
| Preceded by | Hatch Up Your Troubles |
| Followed by | The Cat and the Mermouse |
| IMDb page | |
Heavenly Puss is a Tom and Jerry cartoon, created in 1948, and released on 9th July 1949. It was directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, and produced by Fred Quimby. The cartoon's music was composed by Scott Bradley and the animation was credited to Ray Patterson, Irven Spence, Kenneth Muse and Ed Barge.
Contents |
[edit] Plot Summary
In this cartoon, Tom is resting peacefully until Jerry comes along. A typically violent chase begins until Tom is crushed to death by a piano and climbs the golden stairway of heaven to the golden gates of the "Heavenly Express". Unfortunately for Tom, the gatekeeper refuses him entry because he has persecuted Jerry all his life. However, if he can get a signature stating Jerry's forgiveness within an hour, a reprieve will be granted and he will be allowed through; otherwise he will be sent down to hell, where Spike the Bulldog personified as the devil with a pitchfork awaits. Unsurprisingly, Tom struggles to plead wth Jerry to sign, although Jerry does give in and sign - after the hour is up! Tom tries to climb the stairs but they disappear and are replaced by a hole - leading to Hell! Yes, Tom is eternally damned - or is he? It turns it in the end that it was all a nightmare, and he hugs an unsuspecting Jerry
[edit] Themes
The episode is a representation of the afterlife and how we behave affect our final destination. However a more subtle message comes when Tom is threatened with hell for chasing a mouse, despite being a cat's natural instinct. This perhaps shows just how few people are thought to be worthy of heaven.
[edit] Quotes
"Apparently your whole life was spent persecuting an innocent little mouse." - The Gatekeeper, St. Peter
"Fluff, Muff and Puff?" -St. Peter, looking down at a wet bag bouncing toward him. As the bag opens, three kittens jump out and proceed through the gate. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. What some people won't do."
"Let me have 'im! Send him down! Bring him to me now! (laughs)" - Spike portrayed as the devil
"Atta-a-boy, Tom! Hit him and let's go! Come on!" - Spike again
[edit] Trivia
Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons, mentioned on The Simpsons page on http://www.bbc.co.uk that this was one of the scariest cartoons that he had ever seen.
