The Bodyguard

Lore & Background

In the world of Tom and Jerry, the bulldog known as Spike (or a similar guard dog) serves as an occasional but formidable obstacle to Tom's schemes. This particular short introduces the concept of Jerry hiring a bodyguard, a clever twist that flips the usual power dynamic. The bulldog's loyalty to Jerry is absolute, often resulting in physical comedy as Tom attempts to outwit or avoid the canine enforcer.

In Their Own Story

Tom, having been outsmarted by Jerry one too many times, decides to take a nap. Jerry, fearing an ambush, hires a massive bulldog to stand watch. The bulldog, with a stern expression and a bone in his mouth, sits guard as Jerry sleeps peacefully. Tom, waking to find Jerry unprotected, makes several attempts to sneak past the bulldog, each ending in a painful slapstick failure. Eventually, Tom tries to disguise himself as a female dog to distract the guard, but the bulldog sees through the ruse and chases Tom out of the house, leaving Jerry to enjoy his victory.

Reader's Guide

The short begins with Tom chasing Jerry, but Jerry quickly secures the services of a bulldog bodyguard. Tom's initial attempts to capture Jerry are thwarted by the bulldog's presence, leading to a series of gags where Tom is outsmarted and physically punished. The climax involves Tom's failed disguise, which the bulldog sees through, resulting in Tom's defeat. This episode reinforces the theme that Jerry's resourcefulness can overcome Tom's brute force, and it introduces the bulldog as a recurring ally for Jerry in later shorts.

Did You Know?

• The bulldog in 'The Bodyguard' is often identified as Spike, a character that would become a regular in the series.
• This short was released during World War II, and its themes of protection and defense resonated with audiences.
• The bodyguard concept was reused in later Tom and Jerry episodes, sometimes with different animals like a lion or a bear.
• The short features no dialogue, relying entirely on visual gags and music to tell the story.