Hey folks, Valkor here. And the folks at Warner Home are back, dragging along that dynamic cat and mouse duo – Tom and Jerry. No "Fur Flying Adventures" or "Greatest Chases" for these two. This round they'll have my boy Spike to deal with in "Tom and Jerry: In the Dog House".
In the Dog House is a single disc installment centering on episodes involving Spike the bulldog (and in a few eps, his son Tike), in a mix of classic shorts and eps from the more modern "Tom and Jerry Tales" - In total you'll get 22 episodes, and I know this is jumping the gun, but I couldn't be happier. Highlights include:
Tom's Photo Finish – When Tom bites off more than he can chew with the family's dinner bird, he has to put the blame elsewhere or else he'll be tossed out on his buns; fortunately Spike is near by so that he can pin the blame on him. But unfortunately for Tom, Jerry snaps a picture of him planting evidence and now it's a race to destroy all of the photo before he's busted.
Cat Fishin' – Tom sneaks onto private property, to do a little fishing using Jerry as his favorite bait. Now if only he can stay just one step ahead of Spike, who's posting guard duty.
Solid Serenade (Val Favorite) – Is you is or is you ain't mah baby? Tom has tied up Spike (known as Killer in this short) so that he may serenade his kitty cat sweetheart. Only his singing keeps Jerry from getting any slumber. Ohhhh you bet hilarity will ensue!
Slicked-Up Pup – Spike has just gotten Tike all cleaned up, but he won't stay that way when he inadvertently gets caught in the middle of Tom and Jerry's shenanigans. Spike issues an ultimatum to Tom – his son better stay clean or its curtains!
No further extras are available on the disc save for two trailers – Tom and Jerry: Wizard of Oz, and Happiness is… Peanuts: Snoopy's Adventures. So after chuckling my way through most of the shorts, I believe I'm ready to give my verdict in the TOV Breakdown.
The Good:
In the Dog House is a breath of fresh air, when it comes to all of the Tom and Jerry compilations that I've sat through in the past. Not that I haven't enjoyed my time with the duo, but adding Spike to the mix and making this single disc all about him and his adventures with the two is just what the doctored ordered. Save for a few dry eps, this disc is all about the laughs and you'll be brought to tears at some of their shenanigans. Solid Serenade will always be my favorite because of the "is you is or is you ain't mah baby" song. In short, I had a great time with this disc and if you haven't picked up any of the previous compilations, then definitely considering picking this up.
The Bad:
I'm not a fan of the Tom and Jerry Tales episodes, though they're not as dry as the Chuck Jones, they still peter on the "meh" side.
The Ugly:
My singing as I croon along with Tom. Yea I'll be singing that song all week for sure.
Tom and Jerry: In the Dog House DVD is available now and it is a must own for anyone looking for some serious laughs, especially the kind that Tom, Jerry, and Spike offer up. Believe me, this disc doesn't let down and will leave you holding your sides. I highly recommend it. And out of TOV 5 stars, I'm giving Tom and Jerry: In the Dog House a 4.5 and it's been Valkor Viewed, TOV Approved.
Valkor Out!
