He's the most tip-top Top Cat

This week a look at the indisputable leader of the gang

A Brief History

Top Cat debuted in September 1961 and ran until April 1962, with only thirty original episodes being made. The show was only the second animated series to be shown on primetime television in the US (Flintstones was the first), airing on Wednesday from 8:30-9:00. 

The show was a ratings failure but became successful when the returns were shown on Saturday mornings and were exceptionally successful in England and Latin American countries.

The popular Phil Silvers Show (Sargent Bilko in the UK) inspired Top Cat as a parody.

The gang of alley cats were inspired by The East Street Kids, a group of street-smart characters who appeared in a series of B movies. Top Cat was the fast-talking con artist of the gang.

Initially, the creators filmed T.C. in colour but decided to show the original cartoon in black and white. However, they later reversed this decision with the Saturday morning re-runs, which may have helped T.C. gain the success it deserved.

At the time, the cartoon drew its writing staff from elite, established sitcom writers. As one of the creators, Bill Hanna, said

“It is one of the wittiest and most sophisticated shows I have produced with an appeal to audiences of all ages.”

The cartoon was popular on Saturday mornings throughout Europe and North America from the 1960s to the 1980s, with periodic reruns throughout the 1990s. From 1992 to 2004, Top Cat was shown consistently on Cartoon Network and Boomerang to 2014 and again in 2020. 

In 1987 a television movie was released, which proved popular, and two movies were released in 2011 and 2015, taking over $20 at the box office.

Premise

Top Cat and the gang of street-wise alley cats live in the fictional New York City. They constantly hatch get-rich-quick schemes that usually backfire. 

These typically revolve around the local police officer, Officer Dibble, who will usually try and arrest them, stop them using the police phone or get them to clean the alley where they live.

At the time of showing, the series was seen by some as a social commentary on American society, with the cats representing the disenfranchised people confined to living in poor housing and environments, with Top Cat trying to escape to a better life.

The enforcement of social order was brought about by Officer Dibble, who ensured the gang could not escape their conditions.

Whichever way you look at the cartoon, it is still, even in 2023, seen on television and other merchandise, so the popularity some 62 years after it first aired doesn’t seem to be waning.

Characters

The Gang

Top Cat - A street-smart charismatic feline who always looks dapper in his boater and waistcoat, leading the gang in a never-ending pursuit of a carefree life.

Clever wordplay, humour and his scheming ways to make a quick buck keep T.C. the leader of the alley cats.

He uses clever scriptwriting and popular culture to endear children and adults to his outrageous schemes. 

Benny the Ball- A loveable, bumbling, chubby sidekick Benny is easily influenced by T.C. and becomes the target of many of his schemes. Benny has a good heart and warmth and is well-liked by audiences.

Choo-Choo-  A tall, dim-witted and clumsy cat who serves as ‘muscle’ to the gang. Although loyal to his leader, he often carries out the plans without understanding them.

Brain- As you would guess, he is an intellectual gang member. He is a glasses-wearing grey cat with a knack for gadget invention and coming up with solutions to the problems faced by the gang.

Fancy-Fancy - He is a debonair alley cat with a sophisticated personality and can often be found chasing after female cats. He has a taste for finer things, is well-groomed and is considered the romantic member.

Spook - A thin,

shadowy cat, he is known for his mysterious demeanour. He rarely speaks but is always present in the background. He makes an excellent lookout or spy and is always ready to assist the gang.

The Law

Officer Dibble

He is the law in New York City, especially in the alley where the gang all live. He tries to thwart the gang in their schemes and is often taken advantage of by them. He tries to get the quiet, stress-free life that T.C. and the gang are all about preventing.

“Hold it, Top Cat! You ain't getting away from me that easy!”

Animation and Beyond

Top Cat comic strips were popular throughout the 1960s to the 1990s and, in many Latin American countries, still appear today. Comic books started after the cartoon was released, were hugely popular, and still sell today.

Books and annuals were also popular, and many cartoons were used in view-master toys for children to enjoy.

As for other merchandise, like many of the ‘big’ cartoons, Top Cat has brands of mugs, t-shirts and other merchandise that still sell well today even though many children and adults may never have seen the original cartoon.

The theme tune is the stuff of legends, and if you haven’t heard it or if you would like to re-live it, you can click here.

Fun Facts

• Officer Dibble’s real name is Charlie.

• The gang’s official name is The Manhattan Alley Cats.

• They lived on Hoagy Alley.

• Top Cat made over ten appearances in other animations over the years

• Throughout the episodes, Arnold Stang voiced T.C. and was told to change his voice by a big sponsor as he said that he sounded too much like Phil Silvers.