Top Cat

Top Cat (aka Boss Cat)

1961 - United States

Hanna-Barbera’s Top Cat may have strutted onto American television screens in 1961 as a seemingly simple cartoon about a bunch of alley cats, but it was, in fact, another sharp-witted, animated homage to a popular U.S. sitcom. Following in the paw-prints of The Flintstones, itself a stone-age take on The Honeymooners, Top Cat drew heavy inspiration from The Phil Silvers Show, turning military barracks into Manhattan back alleys and soldiers into scheming strays.

At the heart of the show is the charismatic and cunning Top Cat, or "TC" to his friends, voiced by Arnold Stang doing a pitch-perfect impersonation of Phil Silvers. Much like Silvers’ iconic Sgt. Ernie Bilko, TC is always hustling, always scheming, forever on the lookout for a fast buck or a shortcut to fame and fortune. And just like Bilko, TC’s elaborate plans are frequently foiled, often by the well-meaning but perpetually exasperated local beat cop, Officer Dibble.

TC isn’t alone in his antics. His gang includes the naive but lovable Benny the Ball (voiced by Maurice Gosfield, who famously played Private Duane Doberman in The Phil Silvers Show), the beatnik Spook, the hopelessly romantic Fancy Fancy, the shy and stammering Choo Choo, and the not-so-bright Brain. Together, they form a misfit brotherhood that somehow survives on charm, trickery, and a little bit of street smarts.

The show's humour; full of rapid-fire dialogue, fourth-wall winks, and gentle satire —makes it far more than a children’s cartoon. Adults in the know could appreciate the clever callbacks to Silvers’ style and structure, while kids were drawn to the colourful animation and slapstick comedy.

Interestingly, when Top Cat crossed the Atlantic, British broadcasters were forced to rename it Boss Cat to avoid a clash with a popular brand of cat food. Despite the name tweak, the series retained all its American wit and energy, making it a hit on both sides of the pond.

While it only ran for one season, despite it being only the second original cartoon series to premiere on prime time network television in the United States, Top Cat remains a cult classic, fondly remembered for its jazzy theme tune, its fast-talking hero, and its sly reimagining of mid-century sitcom sensibilities. In the animated world of alley cats and beat cops, Top Cat reigns supreme—not just as the leader of the gang, but as a clever, charming reflection of golden-age television comedy.

Published on February 8th, 2019. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

Arabian Knights

Animated series of stories set round the ancient city of Baghdad which is under the rule of the evil Sultan Bakaar, who has usurped the throne from the rightful inheritance of the young Prince Turham

Also tagged Cartoon

Scooby Doo

A group of teenage friends and their Great Dane travel in a bright green van solving strange and hilarious mysteries.

Also tagged Cartoon Series

The Banana Splits

Following the demise of The Monkees, NBC put four actors into oversize animal costumes, brought in Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In dancer Byron Gillian as choreographer and threw in some Hannah-Barbera cartoons...

Also tagged Cartoon Series

Hong Kong Phooey

Cartoon series about a crime-busting, kung fu-ing dog. What else?

Also tagged Cartoon Series

Alias the Jester

Animated children's series about a time traveller who inadvertently arrives in medieval England at the court of King Arthur

Also tagged Cartoon Series

A for Andromeda

Now recognised as a classic science fiction series, A for Andromeda was developed for television by writer and BBC producer John Elliot from an original storyline by Cambridge astronomer and novelist Fred Hoyle.

Also released in 1961

Count Duckula

Children's cartoon series centred around Duckula's adventures in search of riches and fame.

Also tagged Cartoon Series

Family Solicitor

Naylor and Freeman is the name of a firm of solicitors. There are five partners and each handles a variety of cases.

Also released in 1961

Foo Foo cartoon series

Foo Foo was created for ABC Television in the UK by Halas & Batchelor, who had been producing films since 1940.

Also tagged Cartoon Series