First aired in 1940, Tom & Jerry has become a timeless classic. People from all over the world love the endless war between the cat and the mouse. Generations have grown watching them try to catch and beat each other up.

The original show ran for over 64 years, and a total of 162 episodes were produced during this time. Even then, whenever we tuned in to watch our favourite pair of ‘frenemies’ they seemed to entertain us, just the same.

Having said that, even one of the most beloved shows of all time had certain dark and disturbing undertones to a few of their episodes hinting that maybe, just maybe, the show wasn’t for the kids but for their parents as well.

Here are four times Tom & Jerry was too dark and disturbing to be a ‘cartoon show for kids’.

1. Slavery and Suicide - Blue Cat Blues

© MGM Animations

Recognised as the most depressing episode of them all, Blue Cat Blues shows Tom being deeply in love with a female cat, desperately trying to win her love. In order to do so, he spends all his savings on a diamond ring, which is too small for her and buys a new car by signing a 20-year slavery contract (remember, it’s a humourous show for KIDS) but fails to impress her.

After the love of Tom’s life marries a rich cat from town, a depressed Tom can be seen binge-drinking (albeit milk), and sitting in the middle of a railway track, awaiting his death.

2. Child Murder - Heavenly Puss

© MGM Animations

After being crushed by a piano (promising start, no?) Tom’s spirit needs to get past a security guard who decides if a cat goes to heaven or not. Before Tom’s turn comes, the guard is caught by surprise as a squishy, wet pouch hops its way towards him. As the rope unties, three little kittens pop their heads out, purr and rush towards their paradise.

And the guard, while shaking his head, says “what some people won’t do.” Imagine explaining this scene to your kid. 

3. Planned Homicide - Year of the Mouse

© MGM Animations

After Jerry and his friend prank Tom a number of times, Tom gets them on gun-point and traps them inside a bottle. He then boobytraps the bottle in such a way that if they try to get out of it, a gun will blow their brains off. Tom then goes on to have a great nap.

© Lions Gate Films

There is a movie franchise in which the bad guy boobytraps his victims to death and it’s called Saw and guess what… IT’S NOT FOR KIDS.

4. Beheading In Front Of A Child - The Two Musketeers

© MGM Animations

Jerry and Nibbles are portrayed as two swordsmen, looking for food when a very loyal Tom is given the task of getting rid of them by his master. The cat tries very religiously to fight them away but does not succeed. 

© MGM Animations

In the next scene, a guillotine can be seen chopping through (although Tom is not visible) in front of the two mice eating cheese and sausages. Nibbles then says ”C'est la guerre” (that’s war), shrugs and the two simply move on.

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