“Tom & Jerry” (トムとジェリー), Original Japanese Speed Poster 1988, Bowling Alley Cat / Dog Trouble / Puss N’ Toots, Speed Poster Size (c. 26 × 73 cm) I107A
This is an original Japanese speed poster printed in 1988 for a theatrical programme of classic Tom & Jerry animated shorts, distributed in Japan by Nippon Herald. The programme featured three golden-age MGM cartoons: Bowling Alley Cat, Dog Trouble, and Puss N’ Toots, all originally released in 1942 and created by the legendary animation team of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, with music by Scott Bradley.
This is a highly charming and collectible Japanese speed-format poster, measuring approximately 26 × 73 cm, produced for theatrical display rather than general commercial sale.
Film background
Tom & Jerry remains one of the most beloved animated series in film history. Created at MGM by Hanna and Barbera, the shorts became famous for their perfectly timed slapstick, expressive character animation, and near-wordless comic violence between the endlessly unlucky Tom and the irrepressible Jerry.
This 1988 Japanese theatrical programme presented selected classic shorts from the early MGM period, allowing audiences to enjoy vintage Tom & Jerry animation on the big screen. The featured shorts — Bowling Alley Cat, Dog Trouble, and Puss N’ Toots — all come from the early 1940s, when the series’ comic rhythm, character designs, and musical timing were rapidly becoming fully established.
Poster design
This Japanese speed poster is bright, playful, and immediately eye-catching. The entire design is built around a vivid yellow background, with a large blue TOM & JERRY logo at the top and enormous red katakana lettering トムとジェリー running diagonally through the centre.
The poster features multiple lively character images of Tom, Jerry, and the bulldog, with orange starbursts naming the featured shorts in English: Bowling Alley Cat, Dog Trouble, and Puss N’ Toots. The large image of Tom at upper right, caught in one of his trademark comic defeats, gives the design instant humour and movement.
The Japanese copy reads:
「選りすぐりの傑作3本一挙公開！ドジなトムと、かわいいジェリーがスクリーンで元気いっぱいに大あばれ！」
roughly:
“Three carefully selected masterpieces shown together! Clumsy Tom and adorable Jerry run wild on screen with full energy!”
At the lower section, the poster includes production credits for Hanna-Barbera, director William Hanna, producer Joseph Barbera, and music by Scott Bradley, together with the MGM / UA rights line and Nippon Herald distribution credit.
About the format
Japanese speed posters were slim vertical theatrical advertisements designed for quick, high-visibility display in cinema approaches, narrow wall spaces, street-front frames, and other compact promotional areas. Their elongated format made them especially effective for bold character artwork and large typography.
Because they were short-term display items, speed posters were often folded, pinned, handled, or discarded after use. Surviving examples for classic animation titles are increasingly difficult to find, particularly with such strong colour and display appeal.
Condition
Excellent condition. Please review the photos; they show the exact poster for sale.
This poster is an original Japanese theatrical speed poster from 1988.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
It is over 37 years old!
Certificate of Authenticity included.
