Top Cat (1961–1962)

Top Cat is the leader of a group of alley cats, always trying to cheat someone.

Stars:

Allen Jenkins, Arnold Stang, Maurice Gosfield

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Allen Jenkins	...	Officer Charlie Dibble (30 episodes, 1961-1962)
Arnold Stang	...	Top Cat (30 episodes, 1961-1962)
Maurice Gosfield	...	Benny the Ball (30 episodes, 1961-1962)
Leo DeLyon	...	Spook (29 episodes, 1961-1962)
Marvin Kaplan	...	Choo Choo (29 episodes, 1961-1962)
John Stephenson	...	Fancy-Fancy (29 episodes, 1961-1962)

Storyline

Set in the Alleys of New York, "Top Cat" tells the story of a gang of low-life cats with their charismatic Leader, Top Cat. With ability and mischief, Top Cat will always try to get rich gambling, to eat for free, or to play jokes on someone, but he is always being watched by Officer Dibble, who is very strict and fierce with them, but in fact is a friend to all of them.

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Plot Keywords:

cat | alley | alley cat | cat driving car | policeman | 

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Family

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 September 1961 (USA)

Also Known As:

Don Gato y su pandilla

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hanna-Barbera Productions, Screen Gems Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (30 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color Black and White (original broadcasts)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The show was a parody of The Phil Silvers Show, with Arnold Stang imitating Sgt Bilko's voice for the character of Top Cat. Benny the Ball was voiced by Maurice Gosfield who played Pvt Duane Doberman in The Phil Silvers Show. Benny and Pvt Doberman both shared the same demeanor and rotund appearance.

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Goofs

In the opening title song "Top Cat" (seen in every episode) the waiter should be shown in front of the lunch box on the table. His torso is behind the box until Top Cat jumps up and runs for the taxi. At that point the waiter "pops" fully in front of the lunch box. This was related by Arnold Stang on the DVD commentary and he was very annoyed (even years later!) that the studio would let such an error occur every week.

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Quotes

Professor Zimbach: [admiring a contemporary painting] This man has artistic temperament, like Van Gogh. You know, the painter who cut off his ear and sent it to his girlfriend.
Top Cat: Oh, yeah, to ask her why he hadn't heard from her.

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Connections

Remade as Top Cat: The Movie (2011)

User Reviews

Top Cat is tip top!

Top Cat is another one of my favorite Hanna-Barbera cartoons! Set in the Alleys of New York, "Top Cat" tells the story of a gang of low-life cats (Choo Choo, Benny the Ball, Fancy-Fancy, Spook and Brian) with their charismatic Leader, Top Cat. With ability and mischief, Top Cat will always try to get rich gambling, to eat for free, or to play jokes on someone, but he is always being watched by Officer Dibble, who is very strict and fierce with them, but in fact is a friend to all of them. This is series is so funny.

User Rating: 9/10

BOTTOM LINE: HE IS THE KING, HE IS TIP TOP, TOP CAT!