The Series
- Hanna-Barbera creation
- Series run: September 27, 1961 to April 18, 1962 on ABC
- 30 episodes
- The second cartoon series to occupy a weekday, prime-time time slot
- Inspired from the situation-comedy show You’ll Never Get Rich (later the Phil Silvers Show)
Top Cat
- T.C. to his close friends
- A definite smooth-talking scam artist
- Spends most of his money to get out of trouble
- Leader of the Manhattan Alley Cats
- Lives in Hoagie’s Alley
The Gang
- Fancy-Fancy (brown fur—white scarf), laid-back personality, popular with the ladies
- Spook (green fur—black tie) the mellow one, beatnik type, plays pool
- Benny the Ball (blue fur—white sport coat) short and chubby, devoted friend and TC’s top assistant
- Brain (orange fur—purple shirt), doopy-eyed and not smart, unable to keep a secret, stutters
- Choo-Choo (pink fur—white turtleneck shirt), also called Chooch, enthusiastic, a fire-house cat, lacks courage to talk to girls
Other Characters
- Officer Dibble (NYPD), first name Charles, Hoagie’s Alley on his beat, reports to Sergeant Murphy, TC has access to his phone line and commonly refers to him by variations of Dibble as Dabble, Drubble, Dripple and so on.
- Griswald, bulldog, cat antagonizer, but is gullible
This brings back memories! I love the music and songs they used with these cartoons!
Mimo,
Many memories. In terms of the music, this intro has more of a primetime feel than Saturday morning … and I never thought of that until now. In terms of music, Looney Tunes did a great job of working in classical music.
A question for you – in what country are you now? Thanks for visiting.
I am weary to comment as it will give my age away.
Bulldog,
LOL …. Hope you enjoyed the post and thanks for visiting.
I love the post really enjoyed it.
Hi,
I always enjoyed watching Top Cat, always had a bit of a laugh, and the music to the cartoon series was just so catchy.
Whenever I see one of the flat, not funny, poorly drawn cartoons produced these days, I realize how luck I was to have grown up with such good stuff. Thanks for these memories, Frank!
Elyse,
Well said. Now I have select the character for next weekend! Thanks for visiting.
Elyse,
Well said. Even the newer versions of the classics aren’t that good. Oh well … our memories live on!!! Thanks for visiting.
Top Cat was one of my favorites! Didn’t realize I watched it when I was 4! Perfect age to learn about scamming and gangs and getting out of trouble:) Remember when Charles Osgood did a little blurb on Saturday mornings for a couple minutes after certain shows? The way things are or something…I always loved his mellow voice talking about space walks and such. Every time I hear it now it takes me back. Whoops! Just let on that I actually watch some news!
Great Saturday post Frank!
John,
Oh well – glad you enjoyed this. Thanks for stopping by.
Cheers to another Top Cat fan. I don’t recall Charles Osgood’s little blurbs.
TC!! Yay! What I find really amusing is that I remembered the lyrics to the song. Thanks for another good walk down memory lane, Frank.
Robin,
Oh my … you were singing along!!! Awesome, thus glad I was able to rekindle joyful memories. Thanks for commenting.
Those were the old days aye, gratuitous violence and linear story lines! fantastic.. sorry i am late dropping in, I failed at blogging as i travelled. hope the coffee is not cold! c
Celi,
No problem. Fresh French Press coffee for you with a addition of the adult flavoring of choice! Safe travels and thanks for stopping by.
Most effectual.
One of my all time favorites.
A great cartoon series, whether you’re a kid or a big kid.
Fasab,
A wonderful series … and yes, one for all ages of kids! Thanks for commenting.
Heard of Top Cat, but don’t think I’ve ever seen it.
At least now I’m ready with trivia if it comes up!
Guapo,
TC is a bit before your time, but he may be out there on a cable channel. Thanks for visiting.
i LOVE topcat
Meli,
Welcome first-time commenter – and glad you enjoyed this. I hope you return.
A classic, love TC! Took a tour of Hanna -Barbera many years ago when they did everything by hand, thought how amazing it was and also so incredibly tedious to do animation.
Christine,
Glad you enjoyed this. More importantly, thanks for sharing a key point of touring Hanna-Barbera!
I had forgotten about this hep cat.
Although I was always more drawn to Snagglepuss.
Mobius,
Glad to rekindle the memory. Snagglepuss you ask? … then here it is – http://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2010/03/13/on-snagglepuss/ … thanks for visiting.
If I say that I know them all, shouldn’t be a sign of my age
I loved this post so much THANK YOU dear Frank, memories came back… with my love, nia
Nia,
LOL … glad you enjoyed this and thanks for visiting.
Frank, this is one I don’t remember! Maybe it went on the air during one of the periods my parents unplugged the TV and told us it was broken so that we would go back to reading more
Lynn,
Oh no …. without Top Cat you were obviously deprived! Oh well, you probably gained something in its place. Thanks for visiting.
I haven’t thought of Top Cat in years! LOL! How fun! Debra
Debra,
Glad to know this post rekindled good memories! Thanks for visiting.
These bring back memories of my childhood!
Colline,
That’s what I’ve been trying to do with this series, which I recently rejuvenated. I have some others in the archives, so feel free to visit. Categories > Entertainment > Classic Cartoons. Thanks for visiting.
“OK TC!” – was it based on Phil Silvers?
Ginger,
Yep – based on Phil Silvers Show – now that goes back a ways! Thanks for commenting.
He’s the top, he’s the tip, he’s the championship!
Ginger,
Now we can all sing along!
Top Cat!
The most effectual Top Cat!
Who’s intellectual close friends get to call him T.C.
Providing it’s with dignity.
Top Cat!
The indisputable leader of the gang.
He’s the boss, he’s a pip, he’s the championship.
He’s the most tip top,
Top Cat.
Yes he’s a chief, he’s a king,
But above everything,
He’s the most tip top,
Top Cat.
Top Cat!
source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/
Thanks
I will warble away as I work this afternoon!
Off topic question – in what part of the UK are you?
Gloucestershire – between Bristol and Birmingham
Thanks … just wondering.
Top Cat was one of my favorite cartoons, too!
Sandy,
Cheers to another TC follower! Thanks for stopping by.
I thought that was Mitt Romney in that limo. I see it’s Top Cat.
Les,
Great image – add a dog in a cage on the roof – Bingo! Thanks for sharing.