Topsy is a gray kitten, who is one of Tom's alley cat friends (although in one cartoon, he befriends Jerry). He first appeared in Baby Puss; his final appearance in the original theatrical shorts was in Scat Cats. He also appears in Tom and Jerry Tales with a more yellowish color than before. In Professor Tom, Topsy is explicitly a house cat; more often (as in Saturday Evening Puss and elsewhere), he is often depicted as an alley cat.
In Professor Tom, Topsy becomes friends with Jerry, While Tom tries to teach him to catch mice, Jerry shows on the chalk board that cats and mice should be nice and be friends. At the end of the episode Topsy and Jerry were happily walking awhile holding hands together.
Characteristics[]
Personality[]
As the youngest member of his feline circle, Topsy is characterized by his naivety, but he often demonstrates an underlying cleverness that allows him to grasp the situation at hand.
In the Tom and Jerry (2021 film), Topsy is depicted as part of Butch's gang, frequently interrupting his friends, which can irritate Butch and lead him to lose his cool. Topsy is also an encouraging figure, as seen when he attempts to persuade Butch to confront Tom. Despite his youthful demeanor, he shows a knack for rallying his friends to take action.
Appearance[]
Topsy is a gray-tan Scottish Fold cat, reminiscent of a kitten in size, featuring a tan underbelly, tail, and eyebrows that bear a resemblance to Tom's. His eyes are characterized by a striking blue hue. In "Tom and Jerry Tales," where he is voiced by Michael Donovan, Topsy appears yellow, sports a longer tail with a rounded tip, and presents a slightly different look.
History[]
Tom and Jerry original shorts[]
Topsy is a character who appeared as a recurring character in the Tom and Jerry series. He made a several apperances in the original cartoons often when Butch and gang are present during social occasions. He made his debut in 12th Tom and Jerry cartoon Baby Puss in 1943. This is short has him, Butch (who also debut in short) and the already established Meathead as trio who cats chased Jerry from inside till they see Tom as a baby and start picking on him. He rarely talks with this being his first and only speaking role in the original shorts.
His next apperance in Professor Tom. He is depicted as student taught by Tom to catch mice like Jerry, but ends up becoming friends with the mouse. This is notably Topsy's only cartoon where Butch is not present.
In Heavenly Puss (1948), a fat cat named Aloysius somewhat resembles Topsy however it's unclear if the cat is him. This short also features the kitten trio, Fluff, Muff and Puff who also resembles him.
Topsy appeared in Saturday Evening Puss where in this short he is a friend Tom and appeared alongside Butch and Lightning where they have a party in Tom's home. Topsy also not a friend of Jerry in the short. Life with Tom he made a cameo laughing with Butch, Meathead and a gray alley cat. In Smarty Cat, he watched films with Tom, Butch and Lightning. In Muscle Beach Tom, the cartoon briefly features body builder cats, one of the short cats resembles Topsy though not clear that it is him.
His final appearance in the original theatrical shorts was in Scat Cats. In the short has him, Lightning and Meathead trying to get inside of the house where Butch is throwing the party, but are prevented by Spike and Tyke awhile George and Joan are gone.
Later Media[]
Topsy reappeared in only three episodes Tom and Jerry Tales. In the series he depicted either a short grown cat or a still somewhat young cat. He appears with yellow fur instead.
After being absent in The Tom and Jerry Show (2014), Topsy appeared in flash Renegade Animation. He appeared in Tom and Jerry in New York episode Surfer Supreme and in the direct-to-DVD film, Tom and Jerry: Cowboy Up!.
He appeared in Tom and Jerry (2021 film), where he is one of the members of Butch's gang.
In Other Media[]
He appeared in the comic strips by Kelly Jarvis.
He appeared as a playable character in Tom and Jerry Chase. In the game, he vastly based on his appearance, and characteristics in Professor Tom.
Filmography[]
Tom and Jerry[]
- Baby Puss
- Professor Tom
- Saturday Evening Puss
- Life with Tom (cameo)
- Smarty Cat
- Muscle Beach Tom (cameo)
Spike and Tyke[]
Tom and Jerry Tales[]
Tom and Jerry in New York[]
- Surfer Supreme (cameo)
Film Appearances[]
- Tom and Jerry (2021 film)
- Tom and Jerry: Cowboy Up (as Shorty; does not speak)
Trivia[]
- Since Topsy's actual parents are nowhere to be seen throughout the franchise and is frequently seen alongside Butch Cat, it is heavily implied that Topsy is an orphaned kitten, and Butch is very likely his adopted father/guardian.
- In "Professor Tom", Topsy's only solo appearance, his adoptive guardian is very likely to be Tom (and later Jerry at the ending).
- In "Scat Cats", Topsy's adoptive guardian is very likely to be Lightning Cat, who leads the titular Scat Cats, since here Butch is a house cat with an owner.
- Topsy's design draws inspiration from the three kittens featured in the 1940 MGM short film, The Milky Way.
- He and Tom's nephew Cyril, from the 1950s Tom and Jerry comic strips, bear a striking resemblance to one another.
- Although Topsy does not appear in The Tom and Jerry Show (2014), an unnamed cat from the episode "Auntie Social" seemingly had taken Topsy's place in the series.
- The forementioned unnamed cat's fur color is similar to Topsy for the cat's light beige fur, and white and black eyes, with a brown circle loop around one of his eyes.
- It was once believed the cat was related to Topsy, although it is not confirmed.
- After being absent in The Tom and Jerry Show (2014), Topsy makes his Renegade Animation debut in Tom and Jerry in New York.
Gallery[]
Main Article: Topsy Cat/Gallery
