The story line for this classic short was actually used twice, here, and two years later in "Dr. Jerkyl's Hide." This is the version I like better. We've all seen it a dozen times, we all know the plot, so no reason to delve into it. Sylvester singing "Charleston" still makes me crack up every time. The aforementioned "DJH" is quite funny also, but this is the superior one.
6 Reviews
"Spike is my hero!"
utgard1412 October 2015
A large bulldog named Spike, egged on by his little sidekick Chester, repeatedly attempts to beat up Sylvester. Unfortunately for Spike, the cat he thinks is Sylvester hiding behind some boxes in an alley is really a black panther escaped from the zoo. Fun short from Friz Freleng. Sylvester is the most well-known character in this one but the stars are really Spike and Chester. Sylvester spends most of the short cowering in a garbage can and has barely any lines. Spike and Chester are a funny pair that I believe only appeared in one other cartoon. Nice animation with well-drawn characters and backgrounds. Lovely colors are a plus. Great voice work from Mel Blanc and Stan Freberg. Lively music from Carl Stalling. It's a funny short with likable characters and a great ending.
Chester's big moment
Horst_In_Translation8 April 2016
Warning: Spoilers
"Tree for Two" (I don't really understand the tree reference here) is a Warner Bros. 7-minute short film starring two familiar faces (Sylvester, Spike) and one that has never appeared in film again, namely Chester. This is an exception somewhat as usually Sylvester is the one who gets in trouble and even if he does here too occasionally, it is all about Spike getting beaten up by a furious panther. I think the comedy was good here, Freleng and Foster did a good job with the directing and writing and Blanc and Freberg are also pretty good on the voice acting. Yes the ending is somewhat predictable, but it still works as a nice frame to the entire story and there are no real moments of greatness, but overall, this is still a pretty entertaining watch and at 7 minutes you're really doing nothing wrong. Warner Bros. was so good at the early 1950s and this film is another example of them being at least on par with Disney. Check it out.
mistaken identities come to fruition in many ways
lee_eisenberg3 July 2007
In one of the instances in which Sylvester was given a different kind of role, he gets chased by mismatched dogs Spike and Chester. In what one might call a twist of logic - hey, the Termite Terrace crowd loved to twist logic - whenever the big, strong Spike goes after Sylvester, he meets an escaped panther, and whenever puny Chester goes after Sylvester, he clobbers him.
My favorite parts are when Spike, totally self-assured, goes to make mincemeat out of Sylvester, and gets nearly massacred by the panther. It's a pretty outlandish cartoon, but that's exactly what the guys behind these cartoons loved. Definitely worth seeing. Followed up by "Dr. Jerkyl's Hide", and later incorporated in the compilation film "Daffy Duck's Movie: Fantastic Island".
I wonder what ever became of the panther.
My favorite parts are when Spike, totally self-assured, goes to make mincemeat out of Sylvester, and gets nearly massacred by the panther. It's a pretty outlandish cartoon, but that's exactly what the guys behind these cartoons loved. Definitely worth seeing. Followed up by "Dr. Jerkyl's Hide", and later incorporated in the compilation film "Daffy Duck's Movie: Fantastic Island".
I wonder what ever became of the panther.
Unique and Entertaining
lukeneedssand29 August 2021
While I can't say this is my favorite, (Spike the bulldog and Chester the terrier aren't really my favorite), this has a great unique flare to it. I like the way events are played out, Not too fast, not too slow, Just for the comedy alone. Sylvester doesn't have a lot to do in this short, which I feel is a little bit of a miss, but that's the only gripe I have. (Strange title I know.) Other than that though, I actually really like this short, along with Dr. Jekyl's hyde, a similar short.
8.8/10.
8.8/10.
Despite a strange title, still a great cartoon
TheLittleSongbird9 July 2016
While not quite one of my favourites or one of Looney Tunes' masterpieces, 'Tree for Two' is still a near-classic.
As said in my review summary and by a previous reviewer, the title for the cartoon is a pretty strange one and the significance of it is never really explained. One also wishes that Sylvester had more to do, he is certainly memorable and does have some funny moments including a priceless rendition of "Charleston" but seeing as he is one of the funniest Looney Tunes character and one of their most interesting personality-wise one wishes that that could have come out more.
The animation, as always with Looney Tunes in their prime (which they certainly were in this period), is really beautifully done. There is lots of vibrant and lush colour, backgrounds that are both attractive and detailed and all the characters are well-drawn with smooth movements.
Carl Stalling was always a composer that was instrumental to a cartoon's success, not only did his music fit so well with the action it always enhanced it and in Looney Tunes that ability has not been equalled (including the still very impressive Milt Franklyn). Again he provides a score that's full of life, characterful rhythms, buoyant energy and rich and clever orchestration.
Writing is very fresh and witty, the visual gags and physical comedy are even funnier, imaginatively timed and beautifully animated and although it is not hard to work out what happens the story entertains hugely and has not a dull, tired or overly-routine moment, basically a familiar story still given a lot of freshness. And yes, even if slightly predictable the ending is a riot.
The characters and their chemistry are a joy. There could have been more of Sylvester, but he is hardly wasted and still has good material, but Spike and Chester are both likable and hilarious and the panther is a suitable enough threat. Mel Blanc and Stan Freberg's vocal characterisations are as always spot on.
In conclusion, strange title but great cartoon. 9/10 Bethany Cox
As said in my review summary and by a previous reviewer, the title for the cartoon is a pretty strange one and the significance of it is never really explained. One also wishes that Sylvester had more to do, he is certainly memorable and does have some funny moments including a priceless rendition of "Charleston" but seeing as he is one of the funniest Looney Tunes character and one of their most interesting personality-wise one wishes that that could have come out more.
The animation, as always with Looney Tunes in their prime (which they certainly were in this period), is really beautifully done. There is lots of vibrant and lush colour, backgrounds that are both attractive and detailed and all the characters are well-drawn with smooth movements.
Carl Stalling was always a composer that was instrumental to a cartoon's success, not only did his music fit so well with the action it always enhanced it and in Looney Tunes that ability has not been equalled (including the still very impressive Milt Franklyn). Again he provides a score that's full of life, characterful rhythms, buoyant energy and rich and clever orchestration.
Writing is very fresh and witty, the visual gags and physical comedy are even funnier, imaginatively timed and beautifully animated and although it is not hard to work out what happens the story entertains hugely and has not a dull, tired or overly-routine moment, basically a familiar story still given a lot of freshness. And yes, even if slightly predictable the ending is a riot.
The characters and their chemistry are a joy. There could have been more of Sylvester, but he is hardly wasted and still has good material, but Spike and Chester are both likable and hilarious and the panther is a suitable enough threat. Mel Blanc and Stan Freberg's vocal characterisations are as always spot on.
In conclusion, strange title but great cartoon. 9/10 Bethany Cox
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