Green’s Dictionary of Slang

an act of inducing sentimental feelings in someone.

1940		S. Lewis Bethel Merriday 127: You [...] made me understand how much that poor gutter pup longed for a chance to parade, and yet you didn’t do much tear-jerking.
1950		R. Service ‘McClusky’s Nell’ in Rhymes of a Roughneck 14: Now I don’t hold wi’ mushy stuff, tear-jerkin’ ain’t my line.
1977		K. Gilbert Living Black 20: They’d rather have a coloured girlfriend because there’s no hang-ups. And if they want to leave, they can ... there’s no tear-jerking to put up with.