The story of The Flying Sorceress
The Flying Sorceress tells a deceptively simple tale that unfolds like a classic con gone wrong. Tom, exhausted from the endless chase with Jerry and tired of cleaning up after himself, spots an advertisement: a cat wanted as companion to an elderly woman. This seems like the answer to his prayers—a quieter life, fewer broken dishes, maybe even a moment of peace. He packs his bags and heads to what he assumes will be a cushy domestic arrangement. But Tom's optimism, as it so often does in the world of MGM cartoons, collides headfirst with reality. The old lady he's signed up to serve isn't just any pensioner. She's a witch. Not a particularly nice one, either.
What follows is seven minutes of escalating magical mayhem that plays on one of the studio's favorite formulas: the setup that promises relief, only to deliver something far stranger and more chaotic than what came before. The cartoon doesn't linger on exposition—it trusts the audience to understand the premise and get straight to the gags. That's the economy of the seven-minute cartoon format, and it's part of what made MGM's output from this era so effective.
Behind the making of The Flying Sorceress
The Flying Sorceress emerged from MGM Cartoon Studio during what many consider the golden age of theatrical animation. The mid-1950s were a particular sweet spot for the studio's output, when the Tom and Jerry series had settled into a reliable formula that audiences craved. Between 1940 and 2005, the series would ultimately produce 163 shorts—162 theatrical releases and one made-for-TV entry—and this 1956 entry sits comfortably in the heart of that prolific run. The seven-minute runtime was the industry standard for theatrical cartoons of the period, a length that forced animators and writers to be economical with their storytelling.
MGM's cartoon division, under the supervision of its various producers and directors, had refined the Tom and Jerry formula to near-mathematical precision by this point. Each installment needed a clear inciting incident (in this case, Tom's job interview), a series of escalating gags that built logically from that premise, and a conclusion that either resolved the conflict or simply ended with the status quo restored. The Flying Sorceress follows this template faithfully, but the witch concept gave the animators and writers an excuse to break out their more fantastical visual gags—spells, transformations, and impossible physics that even Tom and Jerry's usual cartoon logic couldn't quite prepare you for. The production design and character animation reflect the studio's commitment to fluid movement and expressive character work, even in a short that's more interested in the next laugh than in character development.
What makes The Flying Sorceress stand out
What's striking about The Flying Sorceress is how it uses the witch character not as a villain to be outsmarted, but as an agent of chaos that neither Tom nor the viewer can predict. The witch doesn't follow the same rules that govern Tom's usual adversaries. Jerry's a mouse with mouse logic. Tom's a cat with cat instincts. But a witch? She's operating on an entirely different set of rules, which means the gags can't follow the same patterns audiences had grown accustomed to. That unpredictability is actually refreshing—you can't anticipate the punchline the way you might with a standard Tom and Jerry encounter because the tools at the witch's disposal are magical and, well, sort of arbitrary.
The animation itself deserves credit too. The character design of the witch—her movements, her expressions, the way she carries herself through the frame—sells the premise without needing exposition. The animators understood that in a seven-minute cartoon, visual storytelling has to do the heavy lifting. I keep coming back to how economical the whole thing is. There's no wasted movement, no scene that doesn't advance either the plot or deliver a laugh. That's harder to pull off than it looks, and it's one reason why these MGM shorts have held up better than you might expect from something made nearly 70 years ago. The pacing moves at a clip that keeps the energy high, which matters when your entire narrative exists to serve the comedy.
The film currently holds a rating of 6.526 out of 10 on IMDb, which places it solidly in the respectable range for a cartoon short of its era—not a masterpiece, but certainly a competent and entertaining entry in the series. That score reflects what most viewers seem to feel: it's a fun diversion that does exactly what it sets out to do, without pretense or unnecessary complexity.
Where to stream The Flying Sorceress online
The Flying Sorceress is available on major OTT services, and you can check the Where to Watch widget at the top of this page to see exactly which platforms are currently carrying it in your region. Streaming availability does shift—platforms gain and lose titles regularly—so that widget will always show you the most up-to-date information. If you're a fan of classic animation or the Tom and Jerry series more broadly, Movie OTT tracks current streaming availability across all the major services, making it easy to find where your favorite cartoons are hiding. The short format of The Flying Sorceress makes it perfect for streaming: you can watch it in the time it takes to drink your morning coffee, or slot it into a break between longer content.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who directed The Flying Sorceress?
The Flying Sorceress was produced by MGM Cartoon Studio as part of the Tom and Jerry series. Like many cartoons of the era, the direction and production involved multiple talented animators and directors working within the studio system, though specific directorial credits can vary depending on the source.
Q: Is The Flying Sorceress based on a true story?
No, it's a work of pure fantasy and comedy. The premise—Tom leaving his home to work for a witch—is entirely fictional and designed solely for comedic purposes.
Q: How long is The Flying Sorceress?
The film runs 7 minutes, which is the standard length for theatrical cartoon shorts from this era. It's a quick, punchy viewing experience that doesn't overstay its welcome.
Q: What year was The Flying Sorceress released?
The Flying Sorceress was released in 1956, placing it in the middle of the Tom and Jerry series' long theatrical run.
Q: Where can I watch The Flying Sorceress right now?
Check the Where to Watch widget at the top of the page for current streaming availability. Different platforms carry it depending on your location and subscription status.
Final thoughts on The Flying Sorceress
The Flying Sorceress doesn't need to be profound to be worth your time. It's a cartoon that understands its job: entertain for seven minutes, deliver some laughs, and don't overthink it. In an era when animation often aims for bigger emotional stakes and longer narrative arcs, there's something refreshing about a short that's content to be simply, straightforwardly fun. If you grew up with Tom and Jerry or you're discovering these cartoons for the first time, this witch-themed entry deserves a spot in your rotation. It's a solid example of what made MGM's cartoon studio such a reliable source of entertainment for decades.
