What Happened On February 10th?

February 10th wasn’t just any Saturday. Today in 1940, a mischievous alley cat named Jasper and a determined little mouse named Jinx (later Tom and Jerry) “paw-printed” their way into animation history. Though names and titles would definitely change, they stole the show in their debut, “Puss Gets the Boot,” entertaining both adults and children across the nation!

“Puss Gets the Boot” premiered alongside a lower-budget double feature at a small New York City theater. It was not your standard ‘Hollywood premiere,” yet, amidst the trivial main attraction, something magical happened. Tom, with his relentless pursuit, and Jerry, with his nimble wit, fascinated those who were watching.

Creators William Hanna and Joseph Barbera were ingenious and used their creativity to co-found this show. This lead to one of the best collaborations of all time, “Hanna-Barbera,” which created shows, Scooby-Doo, The Smurfs, Yogi Bear, etc.

With their slapstick antics and over-the-top chase sequences, Tom chased Jerry across walls, furniture, and even windows, each attempt foiled by the tricky mouse’s clever traps and outlandish escapes.

While “Puss Gets the Boot” didn’t win the day at the box office, it did earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Short Subject: Cartoons. Such recognition propelled the duo forward, which led to more shorts where they finally took center stage. Their cartoons and animation style set the tone for future cartoon such as “The Simpsons.”

While they entered the scene subtly, Tom and Jerry’s debut ignited a legacy of laughter, timeless chases, and the enduring battle between predator and prey. Whether you grew up watching this show or not, “Puss Gets the Boot” inspired creators and authors alike to create new shows that we enjoy today.