Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de)
"Jerry's Diary" is an American cartoon from 1949, so this one will soon have its 70th anniversary. It's a Hanna Barbera production and as such of course a Tom & Jerry cartoon, one of the shorter at under 6.5 minutes. After a radio broadcast Tom decides to be nice for once, really nice actually, but what he gets to read in Jerry's diary does not exactly have a positive impact on his mood. Serves him well because you don't read somebody else's diary I guess. And this core of the story that is also referenced in the title shows that this film here recycled some other T&J cartoons for this one here as really just the framework is new. In my opinion, it is a negative deal-breaker and also these flashbacks somehow took the drive and flow out of the picture. Best moment was perhaps the dishes scene, but as a whole this is not one of the better works starring the world's most famous cat-and-mouse duo. I give it a thumbs-down. Not recommended.
TheLittleSongbird
Okay, the story is quite light and perhaps not all that original, there were a few other Tom and Jerry cartoons than this that had this particular formula as well. But Jerry's Diary is still a very nice cartoon in many ways. It has many funny moments, and with the use of Solid Serenade, Tee for Two, Mouse Trouble and The Yankee Doodle Mouse(serving as part of the diary excerpts) it is somewhat of a nostalgic throwback which will delight anybody I think. The animation is wonderful, with luscious backgrounds and colours, as well as well-drawn characters, the pacing is crisp and the music once again does a great job with enhancing the visual gags complete with upbeat orchestration. Tom and Jerry are still as likable as ever with the writing and gags playing to their character strengths rather than going against them.All in all, very nice if not one of my favourite Tom and Jerrys. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Shawn Watson
This cartoon is one of the earliest forms of a 'clip show' that I have seen. You've seen (and no doubt been annoyed) the episodes of The Simpsons where they go 'remember when' before cutting to old footage, thus trimming down on the cost of original production. Well, that's what happens here.Tom is planning the usual amount of torture for Jerry when the radio warns him that it is 'Be Nice To Animals Day'. Convinced that he should be kind for once, Tom bakes the mouse a cake, grabs some presents and waits by his hole. But Jerry ain't home, and it's a perfect opportunity for Tom to grab his diary and reminisce about all the time the mouse got the better of him, cue the old footage.One to skip.
Antzy88
Tom, who has just set up a heap of traps outside Jerry's mousehole, learns from Uncle Dudley's radio slot that it is 'Be Kind To Animals Week', so he replaces the traps with gifts, only Jerry is not in. Tom spots Jerry's diary on the desk and sneaks a peek at some of the entries (cue excerpts from previous cartoon in the Tom & Jerry series). Unfortunately each entry Tom reads reminds him of an occasion where he is on the receiving end of punishment, which gradually increases his anger. Will he be able to stay kind to Jerry or will his declining patience get the better of him?Very enjoyable, if 'economic', entry to the series.
AD
