Released on February 24, 1993, this massive 5-disc (10-side) box set covers the initial Hanna-Barbera era from 1940 to 1953. It contains 70 uncut and uncensored cartoons, starting with the pilot Puss Gets the Boot . Most shorts are presented in their original 1.33:1 Academy ratio with restored title cards.
For decades, this collection has lived in the shadows, whispered about in online forums and among hardcore collectors. But what exactly is this archive? Why does it command hundreds of dollars on the second-hand market? And most importantly, what secrets does it hold about the world’s most famous cat-and-mouse duo?
Before the digital scrubbing and heavy-handed DNR (Digital Noise Reduction) of the Blu-ray era, the LaserDisc sets were the gold standard for enthusiasts. These oversized, twelve-inch analog discs captured the vibrant, saturated Technicolor palettes of the 1940s and 50s with a warmth that many purists argue modern transfers lack. The "Art" of the archive lies in its fidelity to the original film grain and the subtle textures of the hand-painted backgrounds by artists like Robert Gentle. The "Censorship-Free" Holy Grail
The final entry, released on September 14, 1994, archives all 34 cartoons produced by Chuck Jones between 1963 and 1967. This volume holds significant historical weight as the final Tom and Jerry release from MGM/UA before the library was sold. Why Collectors Still Seek These Discs the art of tom and jerry laserdisc archive
The archive
All 34 Tom and Jerry cartoons produced by Chuck Jones from 1963 to 1967. Key Features:
48 cartoons total, including 37 Tom and Jerry shorts from 1953 to 1958. Key Features: Notable for including 22 shorts in their original CinemaScope (2.35:1) widescreen ratio. It also features the two Spike and Tyke Released on February 24, 1993, this massive 5-disc
Large-scale prints that showcased the character designs of Fred Quimby and Chuck Jones.
To the uninitiated, it is just a set of Laserdiscs. To the animation community, "The Art of Tom and Jerry" laserdisc archive represents a golden standard of preservation—a milestone that arguably saved the legacy of Hanna-Barbera’s most famous creation from the ravages of television editing and time. This is the story of why a niche Japanese format became the holy grail for collectors and how it laid the groundwork for how we preserve animation today.
“If you’re watching this,” he said, and his voice cracked, “you kept the format alive.” For decades, this collection has lived in the
The archive is divided into three distinct volumes, each focusing on a specific era or artistic shift in the series' production.
"The Art of Tom and Jerry" laserdisc archive broke this cycle of censorship and alteration. Because the Japanese market valued the integrity of the film print, these discs presented the cartoons in their original, uncut form. They restored the violent edges that gave the slapstick its bite, and they preserved the controversial historical elements that provided context to the era.