The Million Dollar Cat

The Million Dollar Cat
Tom and Jerry series
The Million Dollar Cat reissue title card
Directed by	Bill Hanna Joseph Barbera
Produced by	Fred Quimby (unc. on original issue)
Voices by	William Hanna (uncredited)
Music by	Scott Bradley
Animation by	Irven Spence Ken Muse Pete Burness Ray Patterson
Distributed by	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date(s)	May 6, 1944
Color process	Technicolor
Running time	7' 10"
Language	English
Preceded by	The Zoot Cat
Followed by	The Bodyguard

The Million Dollar Cat is a 1944 one-reel animated cartoon and is the 14th Tom and Jerry short. It was produced in Technicolor and released to theatres on May 6, 1944 by Metro-Goldwyn Mayer. It was reissued for re-release in 1951.

The plot revolves around Tom becoming a millionaire after his owners' aunt dies, though there is a catch; he will lose all benefits if he harms any animal, including a mouse. Jerry, portrayed as a blackhearted magician in this episode, takes advantage of this, however Jerry soon finds out that if Tom is pushed far enough, even a million dollars won't stop him from striking back.

Plot

A telegram arrives to Tom that reads, "Madam...In accord with the wishes of your eccentric Aunt Harriet your cat Thomas has been left the sum of one million dollars", something that makes Tom very happy. Jerry also reads the letter and gets just as happy as Tom. Tom quickly learns why after reading the telegram again, because the telegram also states "Terms of will specify that all benefits cease immediately should the cat bring harm to any living thing...EVEN A MOUSE".

The next day, news of Tom's inheritence quickly spreads. Tom moves into 1 Park Avenue. Although he, at first, enjoys the attention, Jerry decides to use the telegram's 'EVEN A MOUSE' rules against Tom by moving to 1/2 Park Avenue. He then continually follows Tom, despite the cat's best attempts to get rid of him and proceeds to take advantage of his freedom through various means, including smashing Tom's bib in his face, eating his sundae and even throwing him out of bed whilst still asleep.

The next morning, after Jerry steals his bathroom towel, Tom decides to get rid of Jerry. After a few ideas, he eventually decides on hanging a FIRE EXIT sign on the window. He starts a fire in front of the bathroom door, and Jerry promptly jumps out the window. The cat cheers before sitting down to enjoy his breakfast, when he grabs his napkin, however, he uncovers Jerry, who posts the telegram on the table and eats Tom's breakfast. As a final insult, he attacks Tom yet again with the rest of the breakfast material and also smashes Tom's bib in his face. This proves to be the final straw: Tom has had enough, he explodes with rage, and a shocked Jerry realizes that he has pushed Tom too far. Tom grabs the telegram, rips it to pieces and even goes as far as forcing the 'EVEN A MOUSE' rule into Jerry's mouth. Tom then screams maniacally and starts attacking Jerry. After a few seconds, he reflects on what he is about to do ("Gee, I'm throwing away a million dollars"), then goes back to attacking Jerry ("BUT I'M HAPPY!").

Voice cast

• William Hanna as Tom (uncredited)

External links

• The Million Dollar Cat at the Big Cartoon DataBase
• The Million Dollar Cat on IMDb