It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

This short opens with Tom heading over to serenade Toodles. After hitting Spike over the head with a mallet and tying him up Tom sings 'Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby' while playing the double bass. She enjoys the music but Jerry doesn't; he is trying to sleep but the noise is bouncing him around his room. Eventually he can stand it no longer and ends Tom's performance with a pie (containing an iron) to the face! Not happy at the intrusion Tom chases after him only to see Jerry undoing the ropes that he'd used to tie up Spike... a quick about turn and Tom is fleeing for his life. We get the usual to and fro as Tom and Spike fight with the expected interference from Jerry. Even with all the fighting Tom doesn't forget he is there to woo Toodles... pity he accidentally kisses Spike!This is a really good entry into the 'Tom and Jerry' series; I was expecting Jerry to disrupt Tom's performance but thankfully he waited till it was just about over as I was really enjoying it; using a well known song reminded me of some early 'Betty Boop' shorts. Once the action starts it is the sort of violence one expects; gratuitous and funny; the best joke isn't violent at all though; it is when Tom goes to kiss Toodles with his eyes closed but ends up kissing Spike and saying how much he loves her (him)... then realises his mistake! The animation is really good; typical of the period and much better than some of the later efforts; I loved the little details such as Jerry's sardine tin bed and table with matches for legs.

Tom gets to do some picking early on as he torments and then ties up "Killer" the watchdog. Tom wants to serenade some cat-beauty in the window and needs the dog out of the way. Tom then shows us his musical talent - and it's hilarious - as he sings Cab Calloway-swing-style and plays the bass with the toes! That number - "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby?" is a lot of fun to see and hear.Jerry, sleeping contently in his sardine can, is woken by the music, hates it and baits Tom into chasing him at his place nearby. That's the second half of this story and there is more funny and clever material, especially when Jerry frees "Killer " and sicks him on the poor cat.We also get to hear Tom's French imitation of Charles Boyer, which is really a hoot.This is one excellent cartoon - really good stuff.

Spike the dog (here called Killer, in later cartoons he'd be called Butch) is tied up by Tom the cat so he can serenade the lady he has his eye on with the song "Is you is or is you ain't my baby". He wakes up Jerry the mouse, who tortures him for his act of love by throwing stuff at him. This prompts Tom to grow aggravated and the game of cat and mouse is on. Jerry unties Butch (Killer) to let the dog get into the action. This is a great Tom and Jerry cartoon and Tom's singing is classic stuff. This hilarious cartoon short can be found on disc one of the Spotlight collection DVD of "Tom & Jerry" My Grade: A

Just to hear Tom slapping that bass and singing, "Is You Is, or Is You Ain't, My Baby?" makes this one priceless! All the action flows from that serenade. Jerry either needs his sleep or is making an editorial comment on Tom's musical talents when he frees the bulldog. There is also a very important object lesson here: be very careful when closing your eyes in a romantic interlude! There was general merriment and joy overflowed the main environs and flooded surrounding areas! Highly recommended.