That legendary cat-and-mouse pair, Tom & Jerry, first appeared on television screens on July 19th, 1941, starring in a short film called The Midnight Snack.
It's hard to believe that Tom & Jerry burst onto the scene more than 80 years ago, yet this mischievous duo remains a beloved cartoon fixture in countless households. Their television debut took place on July 19, 1941, through a short film known as The Midnight Snack. Even now, kids everywhere recognize and adore the animated adventures of these comedic rivals.
The Midnight Snack served as the animated short that introduced Tom and Jerry to TV audiences everywhere. Clocking in at about 10 minutes, the cartoon was just long enough to hook viewers and leave them hungry for more of Tom & Jerry's wild antics. Check out the fun facts below for some interesting tidbits about Tom & Jerry.
Fun Facts
- William Hanna and Joseph Barbera both directed and wrote the story for The Midnight Snack.
- The story is set in a kitchen where Jerry steals some cheese on Jerry's watch.
- Beyond Tom and Jerry themselves, the film features a third character named Mammy Two Shoes, voiced by Lillian Randolph.
- The Midnight Snack saw re-releases on March 27, 1948, and later on January 31, 1958.
- Tom Cat's voice is performed by Harry E Land, while William Hanna provides the voice for Jerry Mouse.
- While Tom and Jerry's cartoons originally debuted in English, they eventually found their way into numerous languages so audiences around the world could enjoy them.
- The final Tom & Jerry episode was filmed in 1958.
- Today, fans can stream Tom & Jerry shorts on Amazon, Max, and Tubi.