Who composed the music for most of the classic Tom and Jerry shorts?

Scott Bradley composed the music for most of the classic Tom and Jerry shorts.

Bradley was the principal composer for MGM’s theatrical cartoon unit during the era when William Hanna and Joseph Barbera created the best-known Tom and Jerry films. He joined MGM’s cartoon studio in 1937 and supplied scores that synchronized tightly with every chase, crash, gesture, and visual gag. His work combined original themes with classical, popular, and jazz influences, giving the shorts a sophisticated musical identity.

Bradley’s scores became increasingly experimental. In the mid-1940s, he incorporated modernist techniques including twelve-tone writing, an unusual approach for Hollywood cartoons. “Puttin’ on the Dog” in 1944 is often cited as an early example of this direction. His music could move from orchestral parody to sudden rhythmic accents without interrupting the action.

Carl Stalling is the common alternative answer because he was the celebrated composer associated with Warner Bros. cartoons, especially Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies. Max Steiner was primarily known for feature-film scores, while John Williams belongs to a much later generation. Bradley continued working with MGM until the studio closed its cartoon department in 1957.