Top Cat 

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

Creators:

Joseph Barbera, William Hanna

Stars:

Leo DeLyon, Allen Jenkins, Arnold Stang

Cast

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

jazz music | anthropomorphism | talking animal | slapstick comedy | scam | 

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Taglines:

He's the most tip-top!

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Crime | Family

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Certificate:

TV-G

Did You Know?

Trivia

When the cartoon was shown on British television in the 1960s and 1970s the title was changed to Boss Cat because there was a brand of cat food named Top Cat. However, the theme song and show's dialogue remained unchanged and contained countless mentions of "Top Cat", making the title change pointless. These prints were still being shown in the UK as late as 1989 by the BBC. The VHS releases from Guild Home Video in the early 80s however was allowed to use the series under it's original title and re-edited the opening and closing titles to feature the original name (albeit these were still not the officially made titles), making it rather confusing for viewers who may have bought or rented the videos some years before the late 80s repeats by the BBC under the alternate title.

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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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Crazy Credits

The closing credits feature Top Cat returning to his alley and going to bed. The series title also appears on a billboard above the alley.

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Alternate Versions

In Mexico's Spanish dubbed version the name of characters was changed to:

• Don Gato (Top Cat)
• Benito B. Bodoque y B. (Benny the Ball)
• Panza (Fancy-Fancy)
• Demóstenes (The Brain)
• Cucho (Choo-Choo)
• Espanto (Spook)
• Agente Carlitos Matute (Officer Dibble)
• Also the voice of Benito B. Bodoque y B. sound like a child and every cat had an accent in voice of some different Mexican regions.

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Connections

Referenced in Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers: Battle of the Bulge (1989)

User Reviews

Top Cat is a classic!

I love this show, I have loved it ever since I was 8. Just for the record I love Hanna Barbera cartoons-Scooby Doo, Tom and Jerry, the Flintstones etc. but I will always have a soft spot for Top Cat. The animation is typical of Hanna Barbera and holds up reasonably well after all these years. The theme tune is in one word irresistible, and the show is very funny a vast majority of the time, especially with the character of Benny. Another character I loved was Officer Dibble, he was priceless and had a caring side towards the mischievous cats. And I have to love Top Cat, such an iconic and individual character.

Top Cat is constantly witty, humorous and charming. It is non-violent and often simple, but this is in most ways a good thing. The voices are superb particularly from the late Arnold Stang, Allen Jenkins and Marice Gosfield. Superb show, wish it had lasted longer though. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 September 1961 (USA)

Also Known As:

Top Cat

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hanna-Barbera Productions, Screen Gems Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min (30 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color Black and White (original broadcasts)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1