While I don't think the 1950s for Tom and Jerry was the best era, I think it was the best for it's "aesthetic".
Ever since I watched Tom and Jerry as a youngster, it always stuck into me for it's motion and energy. I don't think I recall myself saying I need to watch the old classics until I was fully capable of it. Afterward it set off to a whole new universe of classic entertainment like Looney Tunes, then Tex Avery, The Three Stooges and old Disney.
There's some impressive title cards from these series of cartoons. My favorite being Royal Cat Nap (1958). I love the purple background and Old English text used for the overall style of the cartoon.
I kinda like the addition of having more characters being included since most of the 40s consist on re-using the same characters like Spike, and Nibbles. This is from Tom's Photo Finish (1957). I suppose this is the kitchen, to me it looks really nice. It's warm and has some nice natural orange, brown and yellows. I also do like Joan's design and the facial expression. It's the perfect screencapture.
The Flying Sorceress (1956) This alongside Royal Cat Nap is also one of my favorite Tom and Jerry title cards. It also has hella cool backgrounds. I love the cinemascope aspect ratio alot better here. It gives us more perspective.
Yeah, a little bit of a side note, Some of the Tom and Jerry cartoons released during the midst of the late 50s, re-used all of the animation, to fit into supposedly more cartoonish sketchy backgrounds and the color gradient on the characters being kinda over-saturated. It doesn't matter to me that these were remade for audiences with a more modern approach to cinemascope at that point and I guess that MGM didn't have the full budget to make a full cartoon, but it's still okay stuff. I do however like this particular scene with a funny frame of Tom, but mostly focusing on the colors of the skies. Very pleasing.
I honestly felt like this new use of filmmaking process impacted more movies to become revolutionary and successful. I respect the old movies in a 4:3 ratio, and simpler elements to films, but I kinda stick to more modern approaches, since nobody seems to care that much about films being technically old-fashioned unless if it's something like The Lighthouse (2019), it's rare but can ultimately lead some occasional impact.
I honestly felt like I lived in the inaccurate time to be creating stuff when all we have is movies cashing in on trends, 3D, and higher budgeting. I honestly feel like indie animation is winning, and classic entertainment is gaining more of an audience.
I have mentioned this blog post a few times already but you'll like it if you haven't.
https://sngexplorationblog.blogspot.com/2025/06/sherwood-forestrobin-hoodwinked-1958.html?m=1
No comments:
Post a Comment