In “Crazy Machines in the Garden of Forking Paths: Mischief Gags and The Origins of American Film Comedy,” Tom Gunning outlines a structure of early gag films: “First, a preparatory action is undertaken with a precise aim in view…The second phase of the action is the result and effect of this preparatory phase…Further modifications could be added to this basic scheme…However, these do not affect the basic structure of mischievous preparation and laughable consequence…Similarly there is an optional concluding action to the mischief gag, a sort of counteraction, meting out punishment to the rascal.” (90).
Although not an early gag film, the 1945 Tom and Jerry episode Quiet Please! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gkysb_8N9os) is representative of Gunning’s quote through the actions of and dynamic between the three characters (Tom, Jerry, and Spike). The episode consists of a series of moments where Jerry attempts to make noise—knowing Spike will wake up from his nap and Tom will be blamed for it—leading to a compilation of humorous scenes as Tom attempts to prevent Jerry from doing so. In each moment, the audience witnesses Jerry setting up his plan which enables the audience to predict the outcome of Jerry’s actions and embodies Gunning’s defined preparatory stage. Next, the result and effect stage is showcased in the episode through both Tom and Spike’s reactions following the completion of Jerry’s plans. As Jerry repeatedly tries to frame Tom, Tom finds himself getting more and more frustrated with Jerry, which in turn prompts Tom to react dramatically throughout the episode. As Tom chases Jerry and tries to impede his actions, Spike inevitably gets woken up and comedically scolds Tom. This dynamic places Jerry and Tom in Gunning’s established roles of the rascal and the victim, respectively, with Spike facilitating the counteraction towards the victim (Tom) rather than the rascal (Jerry). Even though Gunning states that the rascal faces the consequences, Jerry manages to escape any punishment by outsmarting Tom time and time again. Overall, this episode broadly represents Gunning’s outline of early gag films from abiding by the preparatory and result and effect stages to particular types of characters to having each of Jerry’s plans or gags last a short amount of time.