Tom & Jerry - Disturbing news if true... [Archive]

the_pauley

13-04-2004, 2:29 AM

Bad news for anyone who has been looking forward to these R2 releases.

The idea was great. Releases of all the T&J shorts with twenty-odd titles per disc. What could be more straightforward?

You may well ask.

My copy of Volume One, released last week has gone straight back to HMV for a refund. Almost every episode has been "politically corrected". Unbelieveably, the character of Mammy-Two-Shoes has had her voice re-dubbed with a twee, distinctly non-black voice. No more the famous cry of "Thomaaaas!".

I would love someone at MGM to explain to me what is / was / ever will be offensive about a woman with a strong black Southern accent? It was after all the actress Lillian Randolph's real voice. Tune into any American documentary / talk / reality show today and you'll still hear black women speaking in just such an accent. Just what is the problem?

A couple of episodes have also had some "blackface" humour cut out. You know the stuff where the cat gets his face blackened by an explosion and a banjo plays "Camptown Races", etc. Granted these jokes are a tad squirm-inducing these days, but at the same time I think viewers are able to make allowances for the era that these films were made. Censorship and revisionism is far more disturbing. If MGM were so concerned, then a short intro to the set outlining the period the films were made in and justifying their inclusion on an historical basis would surely have averted any criticism.

There is also an episode missing from the running order of Volume 1. For some reason "Million Dollar Cat" is missing. Haven't seen it so can't say why, but I suspect more political correctness.

The episode listing for Volume 2 (released in May) on Play.com has a couple of omissions, including "Mouse Cleaning". This episode was the first episode to be "corrected" in the late '60s-early '70s, with Mammy's voice being overdubbed and a "blackface" joke being replaced by newly-created animation. But for some reason even this censored episode is not included. Incidentally the version of this I have recorded from a BBC transmission in the late '80s is the original, uncensored version, even though a doctored print was available from 15 years previously.

But there's more confusion to come. When I went into HMV to return my purchase I noticed a 2 disc "Collector's Edition" of Volume 1 & 2. The individual discs of Volumes 1 and 2 have 24 cartoons each. However this "Collector's Edition" offers 50 cartoons in total, but confusion is added by a running time of 84mins and 93mins for each disc. The running time of the stand alone disc of Volume 1 with 24 cartoons is listed at 177 mins, so how come 50 shorts on the 2 disc set run for the same time?

And what are the 2 extra cartoons? No one at HMV could offer any explanation and there is no track listing on the packaging of the 2 disc set. Confused? Me too!

Part of me hopes against hope that the "Collector's Edition" might be just that - aimed at the serious collector and containing episodes and material missing from the single disc versions. Nice thought but unlikely. I'd be grateful if anyone can give me any information on this.

So what are the alternatives? Apparently there is a 3 disc version of varying quality from some R3 country with all episodes uncensored, but with the rather cheeky insertion of the DVD manufacturer's logo in place of the MGM lion on every cartoon!

There is talk of an uncensored Japanese collection in the pipeline, and then a R1 USA box set (although I'll bet money this will be "corrected").

Personally I'll be boycotting the R2 releases and will be telling MGM just why I'm doing so. Perhaps a few more similar complaints might have an impact?

Well - p****d off or what? :(

cybersoga

13-04-2004, 7:40 AM

Censoring art is always wrong whatever way you look at it.

shaunthedude

13-04-2004, 9:00 AM

this really really gets my back up. There was a conversation a while ago about the dambusters dvd in which they were going to change the name of the main charaters dog. Luckily they left it alone. BUT as for Tom and Jerry, I cant believe that at all. Im sure the lady you mentioned whose voice has been deleted would be insulted at this, and if she were still alive would agree with what we say. The world has gone MAD

JohnG

13-04-2004, 9:19 AM

I saw a review of this DVD on DVDTimes and decided not to buy it as they have obviously completely ruined it.

Simon6776

13-04-2004, 9:32 AM

I had ordered all 6 from Play, but I've just cancelled the rest of them. Guess I'll have to stick to my VCR versions for now. :thumbsdow

I'm surprised HMV let you return them, The_Pauley, because it doesn't say on the packaging that they are the 'uncut', or 'original' versions.

Just seen on http://www.ezydvd.com.au/ that there are some R4 versions coming out in July. No details yet, but distributed by Warner Bros again. :(

Joe Pineapples

13-04-2004, 9:47 AM

thanks for the heads-up Pauley - i'll be leaving these well alone.

Incidently, the versions they show on the digital cartoon channels are usually those same censored ones, but there is one that has suprisingly left alone - an episode where Tom has to keep the house clean, which ends with it being completely filled with coal. Tom pops up from the coal and tries to swagger off - vintage stuff:)

Dean

Azrikam

13-04-2004, 9:56 AM

Sadly, you'll probably never see many of these old classic cartoons intact again, unless someone who appreciates them buys up the rights. John Krisfaluci (sp?) of Ren and Stimpy fame was very active in restoring classic cartoons. I know the old Spumco website (now dead) went into some great detail about classic cartoons that had been edited by political correctness. (including lots of old Loony Toons war-time shorts)

PoochJD

13-04-2004, 10:01 AM

Morning,

I nearly bought the 2-disc version, for a birthday treat for myself! Looks like it was right for me to put this back on the shelf.

Pauley: You said: "When I went into HMV to return my purchase I noticed a 2 disc "Collector's Edition" of Volume 1 & 2. The individual discs of Volumes 1 and 2 have 24 cartoons each. However this "Collector's Edition" offers 50 cartoons in total, but confusion is added by a running time of 84mins and 93mins for each disc. The running time of the stand alone disc of Volume 1 with 24 cartoons is listed at 177 mins, so how come 50 shorts on the 2 disc set run for the same time?"

The answer to that is easy: a simple printers error. Each single disc, should run just around the 90 minute mark, and the total running time for the two-disc version, should be about 3 hours.

Shame about the censorship, especially voice-dubbing. I can partly understand censoring the actual animations, (although I don't actually approve of this), but it frustrates the hell out of me why animations can't simply be left intact and uncut! If their is any dubious content, simply pass it uncut as a "PG" certificate, and put a warning note on the packagine or on the animations themselves, so that people can get a historical perspective on the fact, and then be allowed to judge for themselves.

Pooch

Simon6776

13-04-2004, 10:23 AM

So what the general opinion on the R3 releases of these, available from HK Flix and Poker Industries? The availability seems quite sparse, but you could probably build the complete collection from both sites.

the_pauley

13-04-2004, 11:25 AM

The answer to that is easy: a simple printers error. Each single disc, should run just around the 90 minute mark, and the total running time for the two-disc version, should be about 3 hours.

No, the point is that the single disc version of Volume 1 runs for 177 mins, with 24 shorts. This is right as each short is about 7 minutes+ each.

So the two disc set with 50 shorts should run just about 3 hours per disc.

There may be hope on the horizon by the way with the R1 4 disc box set due in September. Someone is mailing me info concerning this and I will post it when received.

Simon6776

13-04-2004, 11:55 AM

What about this box set (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4182232245&category=2291) on e-bay? If it can be confirmed as uncut, it's got to be worth a punt!

cybersoga

13-04-2004, 12:56 PM

Bootleg.

andy572

13-04-2004, 1:56 PM

Funnily enough, shaunthedude, I caught some of a program called 'Big Screen Britain', just this afternoon. It happened to be about this very film and included mention of the dog, with an evidently embarrassed Richard Todd giving comment and explanation (something akin to 'of its time').

A quick search on imdb brought forth The Dam Busters (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046889/) and some pertinent (to this topic) comment within bob the moo's user comment (the first displayed).

Going round again, my brother and I were talking of film, animation-censorship and these 'PC' times, just this morning. There's not much I want to add at this point; but thank you for the 'heads up', the_pauley :smashin:

<sigh>

Simon6776

13-04-2004, 2:34 PM

Originally posted by cybersoga
Bootleg.

Care to elaborate? The seller has lots of positive feedback, and states: "We do not sell bootlegs or screeners. All discs are Originals, official released in Asia."

I admit to being an e-bay newbie, but I was seriously considering ordering one of these. :(

the_pauley

13-04-2004, 3:16 PM

Some more up to date info.

Apparently the PC police have deemed scenes with Tom disguised as a Chinese man unaccetable, as well as scenes with Red indian feathers and tomahawks. It's all getting a little bit silly isn't it?

There are two Japanese box sets containing all but about 9 of the original cartoons. Both are identical but one carries the sticker "Uncut Version". All of the cartoons are in their original form.

However it's pricey at around $280 (US) plus shipping and customs charges.

There is a legit VCD collection from Hong Kong which contains 6 discs uncensored. Would be interested to know more about this E-bay set.

There is a Russian set with 141 uncut shorts. There is also an Asian set of the first 92 shorts. Apparently none of the ones made after these first 92 came under the PC brigade's wrath so this set could be a starting point for a complete collection.

The original uncut masters still exist as all the shorts were released completely untampered with on laserdisc "The Art of Tom and Jerry" about 7 years ago.

There is some hope with the US box set due in September.

Talk is of a 2 disc and 4 disc collector's version a la the "Looney Tunes" set earlier this year.

Jerry Beck of cartoonresearch.com has been closely involved with Warner/MGM on these sets. While he is contractually bound not to talk specifics about projects he is working on, he has stated that fans should be "pleased" with the upcoming box sets, and that they will be a much "improved" alternative to the R2 sets currently available.

The company are not completely averse it seems to releasing the uncut titles. There are a few R1 single disc collections with many untampered with versions of the shorts. One disc "Tom and Jerry's Greatest Chases" apparently has 12 uncut versions and one "butchered" (by all accounts) episode. So here's hoping with the box set.

Disney got round similar problems with their limited edition collector's tins. Some of the cartoons on those contained "blackface" jokes, but the same cartoons on mass market discs are censored. That seems to be the solution. Aim the complete, uncut collections at the collector and aim the compilations at the kiddy market.

I want to hear "THOMAAAAAAS!" on DVD :(

Xusia Of Delos

13-04-2004, 4:07 PM

Simon 6776, it sounds like your Ebay auction is this one that The Pauley refers to:

There is also an Asian set of the first 92 shorts. Apparently none of the ones made after these first 92 came under the PC brigade's wrath so this set could be a starting point for a complete collection.

I'm actually going to purchase this set on the strength of this. I resurected a thread recently celebrating the R2 releases. I'm glad the censorship was spotted before I invested in them.

I find all this retrospective censorship very insideous. The depiction of the racial staus quo, no matter how unpalleteable to day, is actually historically important, and to tamper with it is wrong.

Simon6776

13-04-2004, 4:30 PM

Yeah, that's interesting, Pauley. The thing is, what if we wait till September, only to find that the R1's are still censored, and by then, the Asian versions have disappeared? It's a bit of a gamble, me thinks.

I wonder why they have to be tight lipped about the future R1 releases? It's not like we never hear about future releases beforehand. Look at Lord Of The Rings - we knew there would be extended versions of all the films even before the first one was released! If we could get some concrete information, at least we'd know where we stand. I'm still tempted to go for the Asian box set on e-bay. Even if they turn out to be duffers, it's £30 (incl shipping), for 6 discs, which would probably be fairly re-saleable.

Simon6776

13-04-2004, 4:34 PM

Xusia Of Delos, you posted while I was writing. :grin: I'm even more tempted, now someone else has taken the plunge, in fact, I can just see my credit card trying to escape from my wallet as we speak! :devil:

Simon6776

13-04-2004, 5:26 PM

Another of these box sets has appeared on e-bay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4181504695&category=2291

Looks the same as the other one, but with different packaging. :confused:

the_pauley

13-04-2004, 8:49 PM

Care to elaborate? The seller has lots of positive feedback, and states: "We do not sell bootlegs or screeners. All discs are Originals, official released in Asia."

I'd be very wary. This seller is advertising two Disney DVD box sets, one of which contains "Bambi" and another of which contains "Cinderella" neither of which have ever officially been released on DVD.

First ever DVD release of these titles will be 2005/2006.

Simon6776

13-04-2004, 11:24 PM

Well, I have to admit, it's starting to smell a bit, especially as this other set with different packaging has now also appeared. Ho hum... what to do? :suicide:

the_pauley

14-04-2004, 12:32 AM

I'm inclined to wait and see what the R1 set that Jerry Beck is involved with is like. Beck is a devoted 'toon archivist and is dedicated to restoring and preserving classic animation.

It's highly unlikely he'd be involved with any "politically corrected" versions, as that's exactly what he devotes his time and energy campaigning against. He seems pretty adamant that anyone contemplating buying the R2 sets should wait till they see the R1 box. Other than that he is contractually bound to silence until nearer the time of release.

Meantime the first in a series of 10 single disc collections is released in Japan this month, but as yet I have only seen them on Japanese sites with no details as to content (well not in English anyway).

Xusia Of Delos

14-04-2004, 6:37 AM

I just went over to HKflix.com and they show that the Asian 6 disc set and single DVD's are now out of print. They were released on the Budha Label.

Be they bootlegs or not. I've just purchased the boxset from Ebay. I'll keep you posted when it arrives.

Simon6776

20-04-2004, 5:07 PM

Got my T&J Box Set off e-bay today. I might be easily pleased, but I have to say I'm quite impressed. The image looks reasonably clean, the sound is Dolby Digital, and... and... AND... IT'S THE UNCUT VERSIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :grin: :grin: :clap: :clap: :clap: :smashin: :smashin: :smashin:

Well, I haven't actually seen them all (still on disc 1), but Mammy Two Legs has definitely got her voice back! Only trouble is, the menus are all in Chinese, as is the text on the back of the box, so there's no way to easily navigate the discs. It also has Chinese subs, but you can switch these off.

If anyone wants to point me towards one which is blatantly cut in other versions, I'll try to check it out to confirm further that they are all uncut.

Badboybez

20-04-2004, 8:41 PM

Got mine today and I'm well chuffed:grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:

Its going to take a while to watch them all!

Badboybez

Simon6776

20-04-2004, 8:56 PM

Yes, I thought the bubble had started to deflate, as the sound was different on the second disc (only out of centre speaker), but I've been laughing my socks off, especially at one I don't remember seeing before called "Flirty Birdy". Just seen the classic "Tee For Two". :rotfl:

Xusia Of Delos

21-04-2004, 10:54 AM

Got mine today. As referred to earlier, the Budha Video logo has been overlayed on the MGM logo.

As far as I'm concerned, the quality is acceptable. I rather like all the Chinese Menu's having a few R3 titles. It's a bit of a talking point.

Here are some pics of the packaging and an essential screen grab. I will not be:censored: :thumbsup:

http://62.173.92.165/xod/tj1.jpg

http://62.173.92.165/xod/tj2.jpg

http://62.173.92.165/xod/tj3.jpg

http://62.173.92.165/xod/mammy.gif

nabby

21-04-2004, 11:08 AM

Did you get hit for import duties/VAT, Xusia?

Xusia Of Delos

21-04-2004, 11:20 AM

Nope, paid £22.95 via Pay Pal and the goods arrived yesterday via courier. The actual DVD case is a double amray size and weighs 308g (according to the office post scales).

Simon6776

21-04-2004, 4:39 PM

I think mine actually shipped from the UK. Can't be certain as I've chucked the packaging now. No customs sticker on it anyway. Came via UPS.

The discs are certainly of varying quality. Has anyone else noticed the sound sync is about half a second out on Disc 3? The Chinese Language track is OK, but the English language track is out.

Gary Lightfoot

06-06-2004, 3:43 PM

I've just got this set too (Asia Bay from ebay), and the sound is out on my disk three as well. At least the voices are correct.

All the disks are single layer, so it could be possible to alter the sound and reburn them to DVDR if someone was keen. When I've finished all my other projects, I may give it a go. :)

Gary.

Gary.

Simon6776

06-06-2004, 3:47 PM

It's only the first title set on disc 3 which is out of sync, and that's only the English soundtrack. I have still only got up to disc 4, but so far, the only one which might loosely be described as '5.1' is disc 1.

Gary Lightfoot

06-06-2004, 5:32 PM

It'll be interesting to see how thses versions compare with the R2 or the R1 version that's due out.

Gary.

Simon6776

06-06-2004, 7:05 PM

Well, as has been discussed, the R2 versions are censored, so I wouldn't touch them, but there's apparently hope for the R1's when they appear, as can be seen earlier in this thread.

Gary Lightfoot

06-06-2004, 10:14 PM

I was referring to the sound quality issue we were discussing rather than censorship ( the sync and non 5.1). I've not had a chance to try them on my tv/av set-up yet, only the pc, but I suspect they're identical to yours.

Gary.

Simon6776

06-06-2004, 10:26 PM

Sorry Gary, cross purposes. :) I got mine from Asia Bay too, so I would think they are the same. Mine has a blue box, with Jerry in the foreground on some sort of hang-glider, and Tom following behind. I seem to remember seeing elsewhere about the varying sound quality of these, but I wasn't expecting much. My main reason for purchase was to get uncensored versions.

Gary Lightfoot

06-06-2004, 10:41 PM

Sounds the same. (pun intended) :)

I got them for the same reasons as you (changing the voice), and despite the sound being possibly a bit flakey, they're still great fun to watch, so I'm looking forward to getting some time to see them all. I think the originals were mono anyway, so it's no loss if they're not 5.1 IMHO. :)

Gary.

runningback

08-06-2004, 11:07 AM

haven't watched all the episodes (have the same set from asia bay)
but i have watched episodes from all 6 discs. disc 3 and disc 5 seem the worst regarding the sound quality/out of sync problem.
Apart from that i really love it.Picture quality is reasonable i think for the age of the material.
I had mine delivered and all the plastic hinges inside are broke, so all the
plastic is loose now, anybody else had that?

Gary Lightfoot

08-06-2004, 3:59 PM

I had that too. I'm not that bothered, but I might get another 6 disk holder from SVP who sell them for about 45p (plus postage) when I order some more DVDs. I need some 8 disk holders, so need to get some Alphapc 7 diskers with add-a-page inserts for my Next Gen series, so might add a 6 disker in with that lot.

Gary.

the_pauley

05-09-2005, 11:42 PM

:mad: :mad: :mad:

Just found this on a US website re. The Tom and Jerry Spotlight Collection Vol 1.
When I originally wrote this review, I had been advised that Warner were aware of the fact that three cartoons on this set were edited, and that they fully intended to re-press the faulty disc and set up a replacement problem. Warner have since stated that they have no intention of doing this, and it has emerged that (a) the cuts were probably actually intentional and (b) future installments in the Spotlight Collection will probably also be cut. To cut a long story short, I feel that Warner has once again shafted its (considerable) classic animation fan base, and I feel extremely guilty for urging readers to buy the set, despite cuts, and hold out for a replacement programme that has turned out to be nothing more than a bad joke. As a result, I feel I have no choice but to replace the "Film" and "Overall" ratings of this set with zeros, and to urge people not only not to buy it, but also to treat with serious caution any future releases in this line-up.
Warner promoted these cartoons as uncut and uncensored and have kept people waiting for the best part of a year for this "replacement" disc. Below is a copy of an e-mail I've sent to Warners. I will let you know what their reply is.
Hi

Last year Warner released The Tom & Jerry Spotlight Collection Vol 1. This set was advertised as containing uncut and uncensored versions of the cartoons. As it transpired, three of the cartoons had been released in edited form. It was then announced that this was a mistake and Warner would be rectifying the fault and replacing the disc in question with unedited versions of the cartoons.

Almost a year later there is still no sign of the replacement.

I have just read on an internet site that it transpires that Warner knew of the edits and the release was not an accident, and that no uncut disc would be forthcoming. Furthermore, the word is that future Tom & Jerry Collections may be edited as well. Before I go to the trouble of becoming extremely angry at this state of affairs, can you please confirm whether the above reports are true or false?

If false, then can you

a) Confirm when we may expect an uncensored version of the first collection.

b) Confirm that all future releases in this series will be uncensored.

If the reports are true, then can you please explain why you have deliberately misled the public, firstly with the advertising of this collection as uncut, and then with the promise of a non-existent replacement program.

For the record I have not yet bought Vol 1 of the collection, nor will I so long as it remains in a cut / censored form. Nor will I buy any future vintage animation collections from your company (Looney Tunes, etc) if it transpires that Warner has lied and has no intention of releasing an uncut version of the Tom & Jerry Spotlight Collection.

Let’s face it people, if you lied to us once, you can do it again. This being the case there is no way I will even consider touching any of your future animation collections.

I hope the internet reports are incorrect, I really do. Censorship is a heinous business. Compounding it with a lie is truly reprehensible and not the behaviour one expects from a company of your standing.

I await your reply.

Regards (etc.)

Lionheart

06-09-2005, 12:00 AM

Its sad how Tom and Jerry are treated for issue to DVD...the TV media are quite happy to show near pornographic music videos at all times of the day for young eyes to see but woe betide if Tom and Jerry upsets anyones sensativity by Jerry looking like a gollywog after he has been blown up for example...I love Tom and Jerry and they should leave it completely uncut and stop trying to impose todays confused standards onto classic animation of times gone by

binbag

06-09-2005, 7:55 AM

For me the worst example of this was done by Pixar to their 'Nik-Nak' short. When it appeared as an extra on Finding Nemo all the ladies had been given serious breast reduction surgery. Totally pointless change that smacks of insidious Californian PC do-gooding.

Steve T

06-09-2005, 7:55 AM

Is nothing sacred?! :eek:

Clearly not. It's political correctness/focus group/target demographic decision making gone mad.

I dont know about you, but I'm really starting to believe that those Orange adverts with the "film executive" types is closer to reality than we know...scary.

the_pauley

06-09-2005, 1:52 PM

The scenes they are cutting contain "blackface" jokes. The irony is that among the people that most object to this type censorship are Afro-American groups, who see it as a re-writing of history, by PC, white, liberal Americans on a guilt trip.

Gary D

06-09-2005, 3:40 PM

Are these the same as the Region 2 Collectors Edition 's? i picked up all three volumes for 5.99 each baragin i thought.

So are also cut?

Gary

the_pauley

06-09-2005, 4:05 PM

The R2's are cut even more drastically than these ones.

Gary D

06-09-2005, 5:04 PM

The R2's are cut even more drastically than these ones.

oh! any idea where i can find details?

Gary

the_pauley

06-09-2005, 5:10 PM

:eek: Just do a search for Tom and Jerry on here. There were a couple of threads last year on this very issue.

The give away for you that these are censored is that Mammy Two Shoes has lost her "black" voice and in some instances it has been replaced with an Irish accent!

The UK R2 discs seem to be the same "politically corrected" prints that were aired by The Cartoon Network. Along with the loss of that wonderful "Thomaaaaaas!", all "blackface" humour, chinese and even some "Red Indian" stuff has been censored.

Warners R1 releases promised to be the real deal, but now..? :(

the_pauley

06-09-2005, 5:18 PM

Here you go Gary...

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128237&highlight=Tom+Jerry (http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128237&highlight=Tom+Jerry)

the_pauley

06-09-2005, 5:50 PM

Here's the deal on the R2 releases.

There are 6 edited cartoons "The Milky Waif", "A Mouse In The House", "The Truce Hurts", "The Little Orphan", "Life With Tom" "Feeding The Kiddie"

All of the widescreen cartoons are shown in pan and scan apart from "The Egg and Jerry" and "Tops With Pops" which are widescreen.

Mammy Two Shoes' voice is replaced on "Puss Gets The Boot", "Midnight Snack", "Fraidy Cat","Dog Trouble", "Puss 'n' Toots", "Lonesome Mouse", "Old Rockin' Chair Tom", "Polka Dot Puss", "Saturday Evening Puss", "Sleepy Time Tom" and "Push Button Kitty"

However Lillian Randolph's gloriously uncensored voice is heard in "The Mouse Comes To Dinner", "Part Time Pal", "A Mouse In The House", "Mouse Cleaning" and "Triplet Trouble" and "Trap Happy".

The second volume of "The Spotlight Collection" due next month has lots of Mammy Two Shoes' appearances (there were none on Vol 1). Interestingly one of the features on Vol. 2 is an introduction to Tom & Jerry by Whoopi Goldberg.

One can guess why, but I am avoiding this set unless it is completely uncensored.

Games Guru

06-09-2005, 5:56 PM

Gary D

06-09-2005, 5:59 PM

thanks Pauley.

i do hate it when they rewrite history :mad:

Gary

binbag

06-09-2005, 10:08 PM

It might just be me, but I don't understand what you were saying there.

In the VHS version the sunbather and the mermaid were stacked. When it resurfaced on Nemo they were flat chested - Their mammaries were memories - They had failed to keep abreast of the situation.

Lionheart

07-09-2005, 12:37 AM

Lol binbag

AzleaAnn

07-09-2005, 7:57 AM

I just can't believe what I'm reading in this thread..censoring Tom and Jerry ?..This politically correct world we live in is mad...mad mad mad :(

Lionheart

09-09-2005, 12:12 AM

Didnt they forget to erase our memories of Tom and Jerry and the original genius of Fred Quimby.....opps I forgot...they cant do that yet

Gary D

09-09-2005, 7:23 AM

Fred Quimby and Chuck Jones were the first directors names i knew when i was about 4 :grin:

Heroes both of them.

Gary

the_pauley

09-09-2005, 12:49 PM

the_pauley

09-09-2005, 12:51 PM

Fred Quimby was the studio executive in charge of the animation department at MGM. He wasn't a director. His name appears on all cartoons for the duration of his stay in that post. He had very little hands on input into the 'toons.

The creative geniuses behind Tom & Jerry were Hanna and Barbera - they created, wrote, drew, produced, directed and animated the vast majority of the series.

Gary D

09-09-2005, 12:56 PM

Fred Quimby was the studio executive in charge of the animation department at MGM. His name appears on all cartoons for the duration of his stay in that post. He had very little hands on input into the 'toons.

The creative geniuses behind Tom & Jerry were Hanna and Barbera - they created, wrote, drew, produced and animated the vast majority of the series.

no matter - it was the name at the end - the "Q" really caught my eye. it was the first time i made a connection between a name (of a person) and something i liked. I'm not going to pretend to be a T & J expert. but my brother and I always knew to go out and play when the "talking" toons arrived, the horror i felt the first time i heard then speak :eek::eek::eek::eek: believe me that was a much bigger NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! than vaders :grin:

Gary

the_pauley

09-09-2005, 1:02 PM

Some biographical info on Quimby, which puts his "contribution" to T&J into perspective.

Fred Quimby, producer for not only Tom and Jerry but the entire MGM cartoon divisions.

Common belief on the main lot was that Quimby had won his producer's title due to long years of service as a top salesman in New York, from whence he came. Indeed, he knew nothing of animation and , as Irv Spence recalls, cartoons "were a strange thing to him."

Frederick C. "Fred" Quimby (November 14, 1883 - September 16, 1965) was the producer of the MGM animated cartoon division, which most notably included the Tom and Jerry team of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera.

[As the person with producer credit] He was a repeated recipient of the Academy Award for Animated Short Film for the Tom and Jerry films. In their respective autobiographies, the directors [Hanna & Barbera] noted that they found that deeply aggravating because they considered Quimby an obnoxious tyrant who needlessly interfered in their work while taking credit for it.

Gary D

09-09-2005, 1:07 PM

The Pauley,

yet again you inform me :smashin: the name will always hold something for me. But i never knew that. So i think i'll see the name differently in future.

Thank You :smashin:

Gary

the_pauley

09-09-2005, 1:10 PM

'S alright! :grin:

PoochJD

31-10-2006, 2:55 PM

HI,

OKay, I know this is an old thread, but I was just wondering if there have been any further developments regarding uncut, official, Tom And Jerry DVD releases (in the UK or USA).

The reason I ask, is that I've just bought the 6 "Classic Collection" volumes, from my local Music Zone store (for £3-97 each), and it reminded me of the whole censorship issue, and Jerry Beck's (animation historian) intention to release full, uncorrected non-PC versions, but all with digital remastering and in Widescreen where appropriate.

Any help would be appreciated very much. :)

Pooch

Gary Lightfoot

31-10-2006, 3:01 PM

I read something recently where they said they were going to cut any scenes of Tom smoking, but I don;t know if that was a different realease with or without the other edits and/or alterations mentioned earlier.

There won't be much left to watch soon!

Gary

PoochJD

31-10-2006, 3:14 PM

Hi Gary,

I read something recently where they said they were going to cut any scenes of Tom smoking, but I don;t know if that was a different realease with or without the other edits and/or alterations mentioned earlier. Gary

The "smoking" censorship was related to TV transmissions on Boomerang (or whatever the kids TV channel is now known as), and a single complaint by an overly fussy parent to OFCOM.

I don't know if the same problem applies to any DVD releases - I expect not. However, I'm wanting to get uncut versions of T&J, including all the non-PC material, like this... (http://www.tomandjerryonline.com/images/volume3-mouse-in-manhattan-cut-scene.jpg)! Which, really, shouldn't be cut from animations dating back over 50 or 60 years now! Instead, I'd rather just have a warning or note on the DVD saying that there may be some material, that could be seen as being offensive, but for historical preservation, this material is retained for authenticity purposes.

So, anymore news from anyone....?

Pooch

Gary Lightfoot

31-10-2006, 3:20 PM

Hi Gary,

The "smoking" censorship was related to TV transmissions on Boomerang (or whatever the kids TV channel is now known as), and a single complaint by an overly fussy parent to OFCOM.

Pooch

I think you're right, so the DVDs shopuldn't be effected.

pjclark1

31-10-2006, 3:22 PM

Here is a list of the cuts to all known versions of the "Tom & Jerry" cartoons.

Tom & Jerry Censorship (http://www.worldwidedvdforums.com/kb.php?mode=article&k=1045)

The latest R1 Spotlight collection 2 is uncut as they have just corrected the disks (the first release had some cut versions), but no way of knowing which version you are buying until it arrives. R1 Spotlight collection 1 is still cut, and there appears to be no intention to correct this.

PoochJD

02-11-2006, 1:06 PM

HI PJClarke,

Thanks for that! A fantastic article, and really useful! :)

Pooch

pRot3us

02-11-2006, 3:26 PM

off topic: what ever happened to the_pauley?

I remember thinking he knew his stuff about older films when I joined up

:confused:

the_pauley

31-01-2007, 6:10 PM

UPDATE!

Great news! Warners in the USA have finally begun to issue the replacement Disc1 for the censored disc in The Tom & Jerry Spotlight Collection Volume 1. :clap:

I received both replacement discs for the censored Volume 2 set last year, but was beginning to think they'd forgotten about Volume 1. Now it appears the replacements are ready.

At last! :)

the_pauley

31-01-2007, 6:24 PM

OKay, I know this is an old thread, but I was just wondering if there have been any further developments regarding uncut, official, Tom And Jerry DVD releases (in the UK or USA).

GOOD NEWS AT LAST!

Warners have finally begun to issue the replacement Disc1 for the censored disc in The Tom & Jerry Spotlight Collection Volume 1 (Region 1).

Both replacement discs for the censored Volume 2 set were issued in October last year, but it was beginning to look like they'd forgotten about Volume 1. Now it appears the replacements are available.

:clap: :clap: :clap:

pRot3us

31-01-2007, 6:32 PM

a late welcome back by the way :hiya:

stuntrider

31-01-2007, 6:51 PM

Simon6776

31-01-2007, 7:01 PM

So am I correct in assuming, if we were to now buy this new, we would get the uncensored versions of both Vol 1 and Vol 2?

pjclark1

31-01-2007, 7:03 PM

You can all see the scenes that are missing from the various Tom and Jerry cartoons here

Tom & Jerry Censorship (http://www.worldwidedvdforums.com/kb.php?mode=article&k=1045)

the_pauley

31-01-2007, 11:42 PM

AES256

01-02-2007, 12:16 AM

UPDATE!Great news! Warners in the USA have finally begun to issue the replacement Disc1 for the censored disc in The Tom & Jerry Spotlight Collection Volume 1. :clap:

I received both replacement discs for the censored Volume 2 set last year, ...

You can all see the scenes that are missing from the various Tom and Jerry cartoons here

Excuse the possibly quite stupid question, but, am I to understand that the uncensored Tom & Jerry cartoons are finally available on DVD. And if so, which edition?

EDIT: Just read the latest posts on this thread. Looks like the R1 Spotlight Collection is it :)
http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128237&page=4

pjclark1

01-02-2007, 7:35 AM

The Spotlight collections have avoided publishing the most contentious T&J cartoons. I suspect they will never be available uncut.

Simon6776

01-02-2007, 8:36 AM

OK, I haven't bought either yet, because of the censorship issues, so I guess it's just a matter of waiting for a bit longer.

AES256

01-02-2007, 10:18 AM

The Spotlight collections have avoided publishing the most contentious T&J cartoons. I suspect they will never be available uncut.

Tx.
Small point of interest. On the Spotlight editions, can you skip through or avoid entirely the "introduction by Wopee Goldberg", or are you forced to sit through it before getting to the cartoons?

Steve-L

01-02-2007, 11:29 AM

If I was to purchase this now and it contained the censored version - how exactly would I go about getting the disc exchanged for the uncensored one? :lease:

the_pauley

01-02-2007, 1:19 PM

The Digital Bits have published a 1-800 number, but apparently you can be on hold for quite a while which costs when calling from outside the USA.

Last year when the Volume 2 replacements were being issued, I contacted Warners via their website and a very nice lady on there handled the replacements for me.

Took about three weeks from first contact to receiving the discs.

Just e-mailed again last night regarding Volume 1 and am awaiting a reply.

the_pauley

01-02-2007, 1:22 PM

a late welcome back by the way
Thank you. :)

nero0410

01-02-2007, 4:08 PM

A friend of mine bought the Volume 2 collection from Amazon at Christmas and it contained the uncensored discs. The disc exchange scheme had been going for several months by this time.

However the exchange scheme for Volume 1 has only been going for a couple of weeks so highly unlikely they would have exhausted existing stock of the dodgy sets at Amazon or other dealerships.

After all this time they still need to replace the discs for the R1 sets. They should have never been cut in the first place.
They wouldnt cut anything out of a 17th century master piece, why do it to a great classic cartoon.

Looks like I will have to continue to settle with my bootlegs from ebay.

When will we know that the 1st of the spotlight collection is gonna be safe to buy completely uncut?

tris

Garrett

01-02-2007, 4:45 PM

Lot of talk on same subject so merged, look at the post topic to follow one line of a thread if confused.

lubo

01-02-2007, 5:28 PM

I emailed amazon.com last night about,asking if the stock they carried featured the cut discs or not, and received this reply this morning.

Thanks for writing to us at Amazon.com.

I see that the problem on these discs has been corrected and our
fullfillment centeres have the new items in stock.

However, if you do need to contact us in the future, you may send us
an e-mail via this online form:

Simon6776

01-02-2007, 5:50 PM

lovemunkey187

02-02-2007, 9:36 AM

So am I correct in assuming, if we were to now buy this new, we would get the uncensored versions of both Vol 1 and Vol 2?

I'd be interested to know that too.

dixon

02-02-2007, 9:06 PM

Was that relating to Vol 1, Vol 2, or both?

I'v emailed Warner US Customer service to get replacements for both volumes.

As the purchase of these was literally years ago I dont expect many retailers to honour a replacement---they will direct you to Warner.

How long should I wait?

Annoyed to find that even though Million Dollar Cat is included on the R1 collection,that still leaves me 2 cartoons short from the R2 set

alphaomega16

02-02-2007, 9:16 PM

Thats great news!! When do you think I'll get a replacement for my copy of Pearl Harbour.....? You know, the one with the Japanese fighter pilots put back in? Also can't wait to see The Longest Day with restored Germans.

Nice one mate been laughing for the past 5 minutes, great stuff.

AES256

16-02-2007, 11:24 PM

A friend of mine bought the Volume 2 collection from Amazon at Christmas and it contained the uncensored discs. The disc exchange scheme had been going for several months by this time.

However the exchange scheme for Volume 1 has only been going for a couple of weeks so highly unlikely they would have exhausted existing stock of the dodgy sets at Amazon or other dealerships.

I bought the R1 Volume 2 collection from Amazon.com a week ago and it also contains the uncensored discs.
Thanks to the_pauley and others for the pertinent information in getting these. I have wanted the uncensored Tom & Jerry cartoons ever since I started buying VHS tapes nearly twenty years ago.

One point of interest is the "health warning" on the box. It warns that Tom & Jerry cartoons may not be suitable for children :rolleyes:
What a world we live in...:god:

the_pauley

03-03-2007, 12:16 AM

Update.

Received the replacement disc for the Volume 1 collection today! Didn't need to post off the cut disc either, just gave them my order details from Amazon and they sent the replacement just as they did with the Superman discs!

All uncut at last. Warner Brothers is a top company!

Now... where is Volume 3?

pjclark1

08-04-2007, 4:05 PM

I bought the R1 Volume 2 collection from Amazon.com a week ago and it also contains the uncensored discs.
Thanks to the_pauley and others for the pertinent information in getting these. I have wanted the uncensored Tom & Jerry cartoons ever since I started buying VHS tapes nearly twenty years ago.

Spotlight Collection 1 as sold by Amazon.com still contains the cuts
Spotlight Collection 2 as sold by Amazon.com is now uncut (original audio tracks).

If you buy the double pack, you get cuts on collection 1.

Check the dates for yourselves
TOM AND JERRY SPOTLIGHT COLLECTION: VOLUME 1 [DISC 1]
Cut: 8/25/04 - 6:57PM - 6.77GB (The Milky Waif, The Truce Hurts, The Little Orphan all have video cuts))
Uncut: 12/30/06 - 4:13AM - 6.79GB

TOM AND JERRY SPOTLIGHT COLLECTION: VOLUME 2 [DISC 1]
Audio Change: 9/12/05 - 7:33PM - 7.61GB (The Lonesome Mouse, Mammys voice is redubbed)
Original: 12/7/05 - 6:31PM - 7.61GB

TOM AND JERRY SPOTLIGHT COLLECTION: VOLUME 2 [DISC 2]
Audio Change: 9/13/05 - 3:22PM - 5.81GB (Saturday Evening Puss, Nit-Witty Kitty Mammys voice redubbed)
Original: 12/8/05 - 5:39PM - 5.81GB