Foreverisacastironmess 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

Otavio-clubpenguin 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!

MartinHafer 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.

BA_Harrison 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.