This short is reasonably good, has good background art and detail work and is a staple on The Cartoon Network around the holidays. It has to be the cutest Tom and Jerry that I've seen. It almost becomes a little too cute in spots, but just hits the right grace notes at the end. Tom and Jerry were still new as characters and were just beginning to develop as characters. Traces of what they would become are shown here and there. Not a great Tom and Jerry cartoon, but entertaining and a good Christmas cartoon. Recommended.
26 Reviews
A cute one
rbverhoef29 December 2003
It is the night before Christmas and Tom and Jerry have their usual fight. After a while Jerry goes outside and Tom makes sure that Jerry can't get back in. After a while Tom feels guilty and with the spirit of Christmas he lets Jerry back in. This is a cute short with Tom and Jerry with the heart on the right place. The start is also pretty funny.
Tom & Jerry Show The Christmas Spirit
ccthemovieman-127 July 2007
This early Tom and Jerry cartoon can be excused if it is overly cute-over-comedy in subject matter. Hey, it's the Christmas season and this cartoon reflects that in an old-fashioned, nice way.
Apparently, this is Jerry's first Christmas because he's amazed to see Christmas tree ornaments, candy canes and stuff animals and other presents under the tree.
This does have the usual chase scene, but isn't that long and the film ends on a very touching sentimental note the last few minutes.
As others have said, this is about as nice as Christmas cartoon as you're ever going to find. At the beginning, I thought this might be nothing but it's such a feel-good Tom & Jerry that it's very, very worthy of being in anyone's collection.
Apparently, this is Jerry's first Christmas because he's amazed to see Christmas tree ornaments, candy canes and stuff animals and other presents under the tree.
This does have the usual chase scene, but isn't that long and the film ends on a very touching sentimental note the last few minutes.
As others have said, this is about as nice as Christmas cartoon as you're ever going to find. At the beginning, I thought this might be nothing but it's such a feel-good Tom & Jerry that it's very, very worthy of being in anyone's collection.
A cute holiday cartoon.
cmyklefty2 January 2002
The Night Before Christmas is one cutest holiday cartoon past and present. I recently saw this on Cartoon Network late at night. I remember 15 or more years the TV would not play cartoons at a certain time. It is refreshing to see this cartoon late at night on Christmas Eve.
The Night Before Christmas is a cute early Tom and Jerry cartoon
tavm20 December 2006
Warning: Spoilers
This The Night Before Christmas is an early Tom and Jerry short from the newly created Hanna-Barbera unit at MGM. Jerry wakes up and looks at the presents under the Christmas tree. He lands on Tom and gets chased by him constantly as Jerry rides on the toy train before bumping into the toy tunnel. This keeps going on until the mouse escapes through the door slot which the cat blocks. Then Tom sees Jerry freezing to death outside so he comes back there and brings him inside to thaw him out. For a gift, the cat gives the mouse a candy cane. Skeptical at first, Jerry sees Tom drink some milk from a saucer and puts his cane in it. Snap, it hits a mousetrap! Tom, thankful, smiles at his newfound pal. Jerry then goes to his hole and finds another mouse trap with cheese on it. Once again, he uses his cane to snap it up. When it does, it goes slowly with Jerry now smiling at his new friend. The end. Unlike later series entries, this Tom and Jerry aren't so aggressive in their chases (perhaps because Tex Avery hadn't arrived at MGM yet). So this one is a little cute with some nicely timed gags. While Hanna-Barbera would have more lasting success on television, nothing equaled their output at MGM. So I recommend this to anyone who is interested in all things Hanna-Barbera. And to the just departed Joe, rest in peace.
Heart-warming festive fun
TheLittleSongbird15 February 2011
I am a big fan of Tom and Jerry and I love Christmas-themed cartoons/films, so this a match made in heaven I thought. And I was right, I loved The Night Before Christmas, it has everything a Tom and Jerry cartoon should have. Plus it is heartwarming, funny and charming.
The animation is beautiful, the backgrounds are fluid, the colours look really nice and the characters are drawn well, even Tom who looks quite cute. The music is also sweet, the sight gags are funny, the story packs an emotional punch for me especially at the end, which is one of my favourite Tom and Jerry endings and both Tom and Jerry are wonderful to watch and very likable.
Overall, for any Tom and Jerry fan, this is a must watch. 10/10 Bethany Cox
The animation is beautiful, the backgrounds are fluid, the colours look really nice and the characters are drawn well, even Tom who looks quite cute. The music is also sweet, the sight gags are funny, the story packs an emotional punch for me especially at the end, which is one of my favourite Tom and Jerry endings and both Tom and Jerry are wonderful to watch and very likable.
Overall, for any Tom and Jerry fan, this is a must watch. 10/10 Bethany Cox
A charming, sentimental cartoon classic for Christmas.
BA_Harrison13 March 2008
This cartoon, from early on in the evolution of Tom and Jerry, isn't quite as polished as later efforts, but it's definitely one of my favourite episodes, thanks to the fact that the BBC showed it practically every Christmas Eve as I was growing up.
It's the night before Christmas, and Jerry sneaks out of his hole to play with the presents under the tree. Tom, awakened by the cheeky rodent's fun and games, tries to stop him and chaos ensues.
Perfect Xmas entertainment for the whole family, this one is full of seasonal spirit and goodwill and ends up with the cat and mouse reconciling their differences for Christmas.
It's the night before Christmas, and Jerry sneaks out of his hole to play with the presents under the tree. Tom, awakened by the cheeky rodent's fun and games, tries to stop him and chaos ensues.
Perfect Xmas entertainment for the whole family, this one is full of seasonal spirit and goodwill and ends up with the cat and mouse reconciling their differences for Christmas.
Outstanding Short movie.
atinder12 December 2012
The Night Before Christmas- (1941)
I don't any one, it dose not love this Cat and Mouse, Here we have Tom and Jerry on Xmas Day.
I used love this cartoon, when I was kid, some if I still see on TV , I still watch, Great cartoon for both Kids and Adults .
This Is a 9 min short movie.
This short as some very funny moment, both Kids and Adults will find funny.
There was really good Animations in this movie was very early Cartoon,
The story was really well put together and ending was very really good as it was really Sweet and Nice,
Nice little plot and very cute and very sweet and happy ending, This perfect for the whole family to see.
10 out of 10
Read more: http://www.24-7media.org/christmas_chatter_fun/92326- 50_days_challenge_christmas_movies-2.html#ixzz2ErvopUYL
I don't any one, it dose not love this Cat and Mouse, Here we have Tom and Jerry on Xmas Day.
I used love this cartoon, when I was kid, some if I still see on TV , I still watch, Great cartoon for both Kids and Adults .
This Is a 9 min short movie.
This short as some very funny moment, both Kids and Adults will find funny.
There was really good Animations in this movie was very early Cartoon,
The story was really well put together and ending was very really good as it was really Sweet and Nice,
Nice little plot and very cute and very sweet and happy ending, This perfect for the whole family to see.
10 out of 10
Read more: http://www.24-7media.org/christmas_chatter_fun/92326- 50_days_challenge_christmas_movies-2.html#ixzz2ErvopUYL
heartwarming
badfatty30 December 2005
Warning: Spoilers
It's Christmas Eve, and Tom & Jerry get involved in the usual cat & mouse conflict, but in the spirit of Christmas, they both bury the hatchet (for the time being at least) and show compassion and warmth to one another. The show began with Jerry coming out of his mouse hole to find a piece of cheese wrapped with a bow on a mousetrap, which he's too wise to retrieve, so he leaves it be.
**possible spoiler**
At the end of the episode, Jerry retires back to his hole and decides to use a candy cane to remove the cheese from the trap, still outside his door. Once disturbed, it's revealed that the trap wouldn't have hurt Jerry at all, as the part that's supposed to snap ever-so-slowly came down. This made Jerry smile, as he realized Tom had made yet another nice gesture. Recommended.
**possible spoiler**
At the end of the episode, Jerry retires back to his hole and decides to use a candy cane to remove the cheese from the trap, still outside his door. Once disturbed, it's revealed that the trap wouldn't have hurt Jerry at all, as the part that's supposed to snap ever-so-slowly came down. This made Jerry smile, as he realized Tom had made yet another nice gesture. Recommended.
The Holiday spirit catches everybody
Horst_In_Translation15 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
"The Night Before Christmas" is a cartoon from almost 75 years ago and at 8.5 minutes, it is slightly longer than the average 7 minutes these films usually run. It is one of the best Tom & Jerry short films in my opinion and I can see why it was Oscar nominated, even if it lost to Disney's Pluto movie from the same year. Both are about compassion. This one here starts as usual. It takes quite a bit until Tom enters the picture, but when he does, it's the same cat & mouse scenario as always with these films. But then something significantly different happens. Tom has a guilty conscience because Jerry is outside the warm home in the freezing cold and it's just too cute how he gets outside, saves him and warms him on the fire. Warms him. Not cooks him. The mistletoe scene was pure comedy gold as well. I really enjoyed watching this little movie and it's interesting how Tom's owner is not in here. Neither is the dog (Spike?) and Tom certainly looks different than how he does in future short films. All in all, a great watch, not only during the holidays because of all the wonderful Christmas references and songs in here. Very much recommended.
Nothing special
CuriosityKilledShawn20 December 2005
Outside of a cozy Xmas atmosphere and the look and feel of a lovely country Xmas, this Tom and Jerry cartoon doesn't have much going for it outside of the usual hijinks.
Jerry wanders around late on Xmas Eve, nosing at all the presents. House guardian Tom, doing his duty, chases him. It ends up with Jerry being booted out into the freezing cold. Feeling guilty, Tom eventually goes out to rescue him and the two of them enjoy the warmth of the fire together.
Like I said, it's nothing special and not very inventive at all. A good cartoon to view at Xmastime however.
Jerry wanders around late on Xmas Eve, nosing at all the presents. House guardian Tom, doing his duty, chases him. It ends up with Jerry being booted out into the freezing cold. Feeling guilty, Tom eventually goes out to rescue him and the two of them enjoy the warmth of the fire together.
Like I said, it's nothing special and not very inventive at all. A good cartoon to view at Xmastime however.
I don't like Tom and Jerry but I liked this one!
preppy-310 December 2007
Cartoon about a cat and a mouse fighting each other on Christmas Eve. I personally never liked Tom & Jerry. I found their cartoons way too violent and mean-spirited to enjoy. Also I'm a cat lover and seeing the poor cat constantly being tortured was not fun. I realize these are just cartoon characters but still...
However I DID like this. It was in bright beautiful colors (in the TCM print at least) and the violence was toned down. Also the two of them do call a truce at the end. Short, colorful and a little sweet. What surprised me is that this was supervised by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. This is a lot better than the truly awful animation they did on "The Flintstones".
However I DID like this. It was in bright beautiful colors (in the TCM print at least) and the violence was toned down. Also the two of them do call a truce at the end. Short, colorful and a little sweet. What surprised me is that this was supervised by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. This is a lot better than the truly awful animation they did on "The Flintstones".
The writers of this animated short could only salvage . . .
oscaralbert27 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
. . . the title and a few random words from its source poem. This is probably due to the notorious copyright problems plaguing America's national verse. The paint moguls of the Moore family have been shellacking.the U. S. hero of our Revolutionary War--Captain Henry Livingston--for two centuries now, trying to credit a nefarious (if totally dim-witted) Tory member of their ilk with the authorship of Livingston's masterpiece. Obviously, it would have opened a big can of eels if these cartoonists had used more of A VISIT FROM SAINT NICK and incurred the obligation to credit the original screenwriter. No one wants to incur the wrath of the litigious (though thoroughly deluded and discredited) Moores.
A subpar Christmas
maxschoby10 October 2023
The first thing I noticed in this short was the backgrounds. They were beautiful in this short, with the opening shots of the tree and presents, as well as the house, looking great. The beginning of this short is very boring, with Jerry going around exploring the presents, while lame gags follow. When Tom arrives, the short gets better, but it doesn't reach the same heights of the previous two, at least for me. Some of the animation, particularly on Tom, is great, but nothing really noticeable when compared to other shorts. The standout part is Jerry being locked outside, seeing the snow rise and Tom's guilt. I just think this short isn't very interesting, and it is overall boring at some parts.
The Night Before Christmas
Michael_Elliott27 December 2015
The Night Before Christmas (1941)
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
One of the best of the early Tom and Jerry cartoon shorts. It's Christmas night and Jerry is under the tree play with the various gifts left by Santa. Soon he starts jumping on Tom thinking he's a gift and soon the two are back to their fighting ways. The third short in the series has all the classic chases that you'd expect from the series but it also has a bit more heart since this was released around the holidays. The animation is really what stands out here and especially how colorful it was. The scene under the tree are especially beautiful looking and we also get some nice laughs once the fighting starts. The ending is quite nice as the two make up and play nice for once.
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
One of the best of the early Tom and Jerry cartoon shorts. It's Christmas night and Jerry is under the tree play with the various gifts left by Santa. Soon he starts jumping on Tom thinking he's a gift and soon the two are back to their fighting ways. The third short in the series has all the classic chases that you'd expect from the series but it also has a bit more heart since this was released around the holidays. The animation is really what stands out here and especially how colorful it was. The scene under the tree are especially beautiful looking and we also get some nice laughs once the fighting starts. The ending is quite nice as the two make up and play nice for once.
The enchanting Christmas offering of the legendary animated duo.
Foreverisacastironmess12323 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I'm impressed by how it's only Tom and Jerry's third ever short and most of what made them such a terrific cartoon double act was already there. I love the odd way the early version of Tom looks and sounds more like a real cat. What utterly lovely and amazingly drawn and richly textured opening scenes of that classically decorated home on Christmas Eve with the cosy roaring fireplace and presents around the tree and the snowy blizzard outside the windows, it's such a heartwarming sight, it's a perfect little visual of why a part of me will always love that old-fashioned image of Christmas and that seasonal spirit of joy, it's so warm and precious... So in this instance a mouse is indeed stirring and he emerges from his mouse hole and plays around with some of the presents and the tree, as well as Tom after he mistakes him for a plush toy and jumps on him, which awakens the cranky feline and the classic mad mouse chase ensues, with Jerry using several toys to his advantage as he dashes about, there's no real heavy slapstick violence except for when Tom gets a huge shock! The cat eventually manages to drive Jerry outside and shuts him out of the house in the freezing snowstorm. As he returns to the den and settles down in front of the fire...he inexplicably shows that he has a heart after all as he pictures Jerry outside in the icy cold and feels guilty. He rushes outside and finds Jerry frozen solid like a mouse Popsicle(micecycle?), and he quickly brings the mouse back in and defrosts him on the fire. The pair make a truce as Tom gives Jerry a candy-cane stick and Jerry gives his thanks and in return uses it to disarm a trap that he has earlier set up for Tom in his saucer of milk. Jerry then uses the candy to pry some cheese from another trap outside his little home and instead of snapping shut in a regular way, it closes slowly and plays a music box theme. Perhaps Tom rigged it to play that tune, who knows.. But in any case it's very sweet and makes for a great ending to a very nice short. It's a touch more on the sentimental side than the usual Tom and Jerry fun, and a rare one where they both 'win', and I love the sweet message that even mortal enemies can put aside their differences and be good to each other at Christmas. To me the real meaning of the holiday isn't anything that special, it's simple goodwill and the kindness to give and show that you care and family togetherness. And to me this was both a great Tom and Jerry short as well as a Christmas one, it's one of the better vintage festive animations that I've seen lately. Well worth seeing, wonderful timeless work. To all a goodnight! X
Let Bygones Be Bygones (For One Day At Least)
natashabowiepinky2 December 2014
Well, not STRICTLY speaking a film... but at 8 minutes 19 seconds it's slightly longer than the usual short, the showcases the love/hate pair at their very best.
The wonderful artwork full of festive colours, long before computer animation came into being, is a joy to behold. The carols playing in the background enhance the atmosphere as well. The inventive slapstick that made the original cartoons classics of their era, is here... And, with the addition of toys as props for the inspired mayhem, better than ever.
But what with this being a festive special, there HAS to be a 'warm your cockles' moment... and it arrives with the ending, where the duo put aside their differences to have at least ONE day of peace.
Tom retrieving his frenemy from the blistering cold after a huge guilt trip and Jerry revealing the location of a carefully disguised trap in Tom's milk bowl are truly moving moments... And though we love the violent high-jinx the pair get up to, it's good to put it all aside for one day... Right? Magical. 8/10
The wonderful artwork full of festive colours, long before computer animation came into being, is a joy to behold. The carols playing in the background enhance the atmosphere as well. The inventive slapstick that made the original cartoons classics of their era, is here... And, with the addition of toys as props for the inspired mayhem, better than ever.
But what with this being a festive special, there HAS to be a 'warm your cockles' moment... and it arrives with the ending, where the duo put aside their differences to have at least ONE day of peace.
Tom retrieving his frenemy from the blistering cold after a huge guilt trip and Jerry revealing the location of a carefully disguised trap in Tom's milk bowl are truly moving moments... And though we love the violent high-jinx the pair get up to, it's good to put it all aside for one day... Right? Magical. 8/10
So Cute!
Otavio-clubpenguin21 April 2014
Warning: Spoilers
The Night Before Christmas may not be the funniest, but it's really adorable. Some Gags really work, and the ending brought a tear to my eye.
The Story?
It's Night Christmas Eve on Mammy's House, Jerry starts to have a little walk around the house, playing with the Gifts under the Christmas Tree. Unknown to him, Tom was taking a nap, then he accidentally wake up Tom. And then the chase starts. Eventually Tom manages to throw him out of the house. But after a heavy snowstorm begins, Tom rescues Jerry and tries to wake him up, then they both enjoy the fireplace together.
Talk about a cute short, every moment on it it's perfectly animated, the bright colors help a lot. The ending is so beautiful that it evens bring a tear to my eye.
Everyone that calls himself as a Tom and Jerry fan Should watch it!
The Story?
It's Night Christmas Eve on Mammy's House, Jerry starts to have a little walk around the house, playing with the Gifts under the Christmas Tree. Unknown to him, Tom was taking a nap, then he accidentally wake up Tom. And then the chase starts. Eventually Tom manages to throw him out of the house. But after a heavy snowstorm begins, Tom rescues Jerry and tries to wake him up, then they both enjoy the fireplace together.
Talk about a cute short, every moment on it it's perfectly animated, the bright colors help a lot. The ending is so beautiful that it evens bring a tear to my eye.
Everyone that calls himself as a Tom and Jerry fan Should watch it!
Let Bygones Be Bygones (For One Day At Least)
natashabowiepinky2 December 2014
Well, not STRICTLY speaking a film... but at 8 minutes 19 seconds it's
slightly longer than the usual short, the showcases the love/hate pair
at their very best.
The wonderful artwork full of festive colours, long before computer animation came into being, is a joy to behold. The carols playing in the background enhance the atmosphere as well. The inventive slapstick that made the original cartoons classics of their era, is here... And, with the addition of toys as props for the inspired mayhem, better than ever.
But what with this being a festive special, there HAS to be a 'warm your cockles' moment... and it arrives with the ending, where the duo put aside their differences to have at least ONE day of peace.
Tom retrieving his frenemy from the blistering cold after a huge guilt trip and Jerry revealing the location of a carefully disguised trap in Tom's milk bowl are truly moving moments... And though we love the violent high-jinx the pair get up to, it's good to put it all aside for one day... Right? Magical. 8/10
The wonderful artwork full of festive colours, long before computer animation came into being, is a joy to behold. The carols playing in the background enhance the atmosphere as well. The inventive slapstick that made the original cartoons classics of their era, is here... And, with the addition of toys as props for the inspired mayhem, better than ever.
But what with this being a festive special, there HAS to be a 'warm your cockles' moment... and it arrives with the ending, where the duo put aside their differences to have at least ONE day of peace.
Tom retrieving his frenemy from the blistering cold after a huge guilt trip and Jerry revealing the location of a carefully disguised trap in Tom's milk bowl are truly moving moments... And though we love the violent high-jinx the pair get up to, it's good to put it all aside for one day... Right? Magical. 8/10
Excellent and sentimental memorable classic "Tom and Jerry" Christmas cartoon!
blanbrn18 December 2021
Seen this countless times and always a view again every holiday and Christmas season and that's this 1941 Oscar nominated short cartoon "The Night Before Christmas". It's one of the best holiday one's and one of the best Tom and Jerry cartoons ever made. It's Christmas Eve and little mouse Jerry starts to wonder with the amazing open eyes of his and starts to notice, and he begins playing with stuffed toy animals under the tree and looks at his reflection thru the decoration balls on the tree. Yet as after jumping and mistaken Tom for a stuffed animal toy the chase begins and the action is clever between the toys props as Jerry even use some boxing gloves to punch on Tom! Yet the cartoon changes pace and gets serious when little Jerry runs and jumps thru a mail compartment on the front door only to get stranded and locked out in the cold freezing snow of Christmas Eve. Only in a sentimental and caring giving like mood Tom puts old hard feelings aside and brings Jerry back in to be together and be friends on Christmas! Sentimental and wonderful heartfelt Christmas cartoon classic highly memorable and enjoyable.
It could have used more bonking.
planktonrules27 January 2014
Since this was only the third Tom & Jerry cartoon, you can be sure of one thing--exquisite animation. In the early 1940s, MGM suddenly began making the most artistic animated shorts around--even nicer looking than Disney or Looney Tunes. In particular, the backgrounds are delightful works of art. While the Tom & Jerry cartoons remained well animated into the early 1950s, the quality then rapidly went downhill. Now I am not saying the early ones were always the funniest (sometimes they were, sometimes they weren't) but they were so beautiful that even today they stand out as high points in the history of animation.
In "The Night Before Christmas", Tom and Jerry naturally are fighting with Christmas ornaments and decorations strewn about the house. They also interact using the children's' toys--such as the train set and boxing gloves. What follows is mostly predictable--with lots of bonking and kicking. However, a holiday-infused schmaltzy ending follows. While it's not too bad, I personally wanted more bonking! Still, with such lovely animation, it's no wonder this one was Oscar-nominated.
In "The Night Before Christmas", Tom and Jerry naturally are fighting with Christmas ornaments and decorations strewn about the house. They also interact using the children's' toys--such as the train set and boxing gloves. What follows is mostly predictable--with lots of bonking and kicking. However, a holiday-infused schmaltzy ending follows. While it's not too bad, I personally wanted more bonking! Still, with such lovely animation, it's no wonder this one was Oscar-nominated.
Jerry the Brat
theonekaz-4439118 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Unfortunately for Tom, it's usually Jerry who's generally the troublemaker, and in this cartoon it's no different. This is especially true in the mistletoe scene. Jerry holds up a sprig of mistletoe and makes some kissing noises at Tom. So Tom then kisses Jerry and how does nasty Jerry reciprocate? While Tom is feeling a little sheepish and shy about kissing Jerry, he's turned his back away from him. So Jerry then takes advantage and kicks poor Tom in the rear end so hard Tom screeches in pain and jumps straight up in the air! Luckily for Jerry because Tom has a good heart, everyone has a Merry Christmas!
Why on Earth would pets and pests be observing . . .
cricket3011 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
. . . such human Holiday traditions as kissing under the mistletoe and tying up presents with red ribbons and bows? THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS mines such ludicrous anthropomorphism for its humor, as viewers wonder what the deluded animators will do next. Will these fraternizing enemies light Advent candles, and burn down the roof over their heads? Will they hang up miniature Christmas stockings? Will they brave the blizzard outside for a neighborhood round of Yule Tide caroling? If so, will they remain mute, or be able to sing words in the American language? Do they believe in Santa Claus? Only the animators know.
The Night Before Christmas is my fifth review of an Oscar-nominated cartoon for 1941
tonyvmonte-549736 March 2024
This is my fifth review of an Oscar-nominated cartoon for 1941 having previously done so for George Pal's Rhythm in the Ranks, Friz Freleng's Rhapsody in Rivets, Walter Lantz' Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B, and Rudolf Ising's The Rookie Bear. I had actually reviewed this short under my previous username tavm back in 2006. I had praised the direction of William Hanna & Joseph Barbera and their gags for the cat-and-mouse team so I suggest you read that review for my overall impression. I'll just now add this was a worthy nomination from the Academy Awards committee. They previously nominated Puss Gets the Boot considered the first of the Tom & Jerrys though the cat is named Jasper and the mouse is unnamed in that one. For the rest of the '40s through the early '50, Hanna-Barbera would mostly dominate the awards.
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