Tee for Two

The 1940 animated short film Tee for Two, directed by Frank Tashlin, is the 32nd cartoon in the Tom and Jerry series produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). This classic animated comedy stars the never-ending rivalry between Tom, the persistent yet incompetent cat, and Jerry, the quick-witted and agile mouse. The film opens with Tom trying his best to master the golf swing. However, his efforts are futile as he consistently misses his target or hits an object other than the ball. As Tom attempts to focus, Jerry, sitting on the edge of a nearby hole, smugly observes Tom's struggles, a sly grin spreading across his face. Undeterred by his previous failures, Tom sets out to perfect his swing, taking a deep breath and preparing to make the perfect shot. But just as he begins his swing, Jerry swiftly intervenes, distracting Tom with a toy car, which Tom becomes fixated on and starts to chase instead of focusing on his golf game. As the game continues, Jerry consistently disrupts Tom's swings, ensuring that he can never seem to hit the ball straight. The cat, growing increasingly frustrated, resorts to using his wits to try and outsmart Jerry, but the resourceful mouse always stays one step ahead. One creative attempt by Tom involves using a long piece of fishing line to try and snag the ball out of the hole. However, Jerry sees this plot coming a mile away and simply cuts the fishing line, causing Tom to inadvertently trip and end up in a nearby sand trap. Tom, more determined than ever, tries another approach, disguising himself as a tree to try and trick Jerry. But Jerry isn't fooled for even a second and quickly peeks around the 'tree' to see Tom's true identity. In response, Tom resorts to using a series of pulleys and levers to try and catapult himself into the hole. Unfortunately for Tom, this plan also backfires as Jerry catches on and cuts the rope, causing Tom to become impaled on a series of spikes. Throughout the film, each of Tom's creative and often ingenious attempts to solve the problem are consistently thwarted by Jerry's cunning and quick thinking. As Tom grows increasingly desperate, Jerry, now thoroughly entertained by the spectacle, takes his game to the next level by setting up a series of elaborate traps to ensure that Tom's golf game is never going to be anything other than disastrous. The film reaches its climax as Tom, determined to finally succeed where he's failed so many times before, attempts one final and audacious strategy. However, just as he's about to hit his shot, Jerry pulls the ultimate trick, covering the ball with glue, rendering it impossible for Tom to make a single step without slipping and falling. As the dust settles and Tom lies sprawled out on the ground, defeated once again, Jerry, now triumphant, triumphantly lifts the ball out of the hole, and the film ends, leaving Tom shattered but Jerry still grinning. In this iconic cartoon, it's Tom's futile attempts to outsmart Jerry, which have come to define the series, that provide the comedy, and Jerry's unwavering resourcefulness that makes him an endearing and unforgettable character. Tee for Two offers a timeless and sidesplitting portrayal of two of the most enduring adversaries in the world of animation, solidifying their places as two of the most enduring and beloved characters in the history of film.