CVTA US Animated - "Top Cat" (Hanna-Barbera/ABC) (1961-62)

CTVA
The Classic TV Archive - US Animated Series

The Flintstones
(animated) (Hanna-Barbera/ABC) (1960-66)

Phil Silvers Sgt. Bilko (CBS)(1955-59)  - Top Cat (animated) (1961-62)(Hanna-Barbera/ABC)
Theme Song to Top Cat

Top Cat (1961-62)
Episode Guide compiled by The Classic TV Archive
with contributions by: Tom Alger
references:
Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (https://www.us.imdb.com)
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TOP CAT (UK title 'Boss Cat')
------------------------------
Hanna-Barbera production
for
ABC (Wednesdays 8:30pm EST)
Produced and Directed by
William Hanna and Joseph Barbera

US Animated series 1961-62    30 episodes x 30 min
Filmed in
Color - Broadcast in B&W

voices:
Arnold Stang as Top Cat
Maurice Gosfield as Benny the Ball
Marvin Kaplan as Choo Choo
Leo DeLyon as Spook/The Brain
John Stephenson as Fancy-Fancy
Allen Jenkins as Officer Dibble

TopCat.jpg (9167 bytes)
Premise:
Cartoon series about the escapades of a gang of alleycats in New York
City and their arch enemy Officer Dibble.
Loosly based on the format of Phil Silver's Sergeant Bilko.

Theme Song to Top Cat
"Top Cat" theme
by Hoyt Curtin, Joseph Barbera & Wiliam Hanna
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!

################## Top Cat ###################
############### season 1961-62 ###############
### Filmed in
color but broadcast in B&W #####
##############################################
ABC Wednesdays 8:30 pm Eastern

[01] Top Cat: THE $1,000,000 DERBY
prod. no. T-04 (copyright date 24Aug61)
27Sep61 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm
 Synopsis:
Top Cat has big plans for the gang, but they desert him for a
disgraceful activity - work. [TA]

[02] Top Cat: THE MISSING HEIR
prod. no. T-06
4Oct61 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 27Sep61)

 Synopsis:
"The Missing Heir" was the pet cat of a wealthy eccentric who left a
fortune to his favorite feline. [TA]

[03] Top Cat: HAWAII HERE WE COME
prod. no. T-01
11Oct61 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 27Sep61)

 Synopsis:
Benny the Ball wins a ticket to the islands. When he boards the ship
Aloha Hooey, and T.C. and the gang, without benefit of tickets, go
right along with him. [TA]

[04] Top Cat: TOP CAT FALLS IN LOVE
prod. no. T-07
18Oct61 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 11Oct61)

 Guest voice:
GeGe Pearson (as Miss LaRue)
Synopsis:
Benny the Ball's in the hospital and all his buddies are paying him
regular visits. T.C., who usually can't stand hospitals, changes his
attitude when he gets a look at Benny's nurse. [TA]

[05] Top Cat: THE VIOLIN PLAYER
prod. no. T-05
25Oct61 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 20Sep61)

 Synopsis #1:
Benny the Ball is "discovered" when a famous impresario hears him
play the violin. [TA]
Synopsis #2:
Benny has taken up the violin and T.C. decides that they have a
musical prodigy on their hands. [TA]

[06] Top Cat: THE UNSCRATCHABLES
prod. no. T-12
01Nov61 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 25Oct61)

 Guest voices:
Herschel Bernardi (as Muggsy)
Jean Vander Pyl (as Fifi)
Synopsis #1:
A couple of hoods steal a valuable diamond from Stiffany's jewelry
store, but officer Dibble arrives before they can get away. in the
ensuing confusion, one of the crooks decides to hide the diamond - in
T.C.'s garbage can. [TA]
Synopsis #2:
T. C. and the gang pose as "The Unscratchables" to recover a stolen gem. [TA]

[07] Top Cat: ALL THAT JAZZ
prod. no. T-03
08Nov61 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 23Oct61)

 Guest voices:
Daws Butler (as A.T.)
Synopsis:
Known to his friends as A.T., is a new cat in the neighborhood who's
out to usurp T.C.'s leadership. A.T. is making great progress too, and
T.C. announces that he's "Getting Out" [TA]

[08] Top Cat: CHOO CHOO'S ROMANCE
prod. no. T-11
15Nov61 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 08Nov61)

Guest voice:
Jean Vander Pyle (as Goldie)
Synopsis:
Choo Choo has developed a crush on Goldie, a new cat in the
neighborhood. T.C. says he'll arrange a date. [TA]

[09] Top Cat: A VISIT FROM MOTHER
prod. no. T-08
22Nov61 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 15Nov61)

 Guest voice:
Bea Benaderet (as Mrs. Ball)
Synopsis:
Benny the Ball is worried about his mother's impending visit - she
thinks he is mayor of New York. [TA]

[10] Top Cat: FAFEEFLEAS / RAFEEFLEAS (copyright title)
prod. T-13
29Nov61 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 22Nov61)

 Synopsis:
Benny the Ball, who has been napping in the museum, returns with an
odd-looking jade scarab. The item doesn't look like much to T.C., so
he turns it over to Fancy-Fancy to impress the girls with. [TA]

[11] Top Cat: SERGEANT TOP CAT
prod. no. T-10
06Dec61 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 29Nov61)

 Synopsis:
The police captain is coming for an inspection, and Dibble tells T.C.
and the gang that they'll have to get their alley cleaned up. The cats
comply enthusiastically - and the garbage begins to fly. [TA]

[--] 13Dec61 - pre-empted for an ABC news special titled  "It's a Small World" [TA]

[12] 20Dec61 - unknown episode
[13] 27Dec61 - unknown episode

[--] Top Cat: THE MAHARAJAH OF POOKAJEE
prod. no. T-02
unknown ABC airdate (copyright date 29Nov61)

 Written by Kin Platt
Voice:
John Stephenson (as the Maharajah)
Synopsis:
"The Maharajah of Pookajee" is coming to town, and T.C. and the
gang would like to call on the pontentate and some of his fabulous
wealth. [TA]

[--] Top Cat: NAKED TOWN
prod. no. T-09
unknown ABC airdate (copyright date 13Dec61)

 Synopsis:
A TV series called "Naked Town" is going to use Officer Dibble's beat
as background for a phony robbery scene. [TA]

[14] Top Cat: THE LONG HOT WINTER
prod. no. T-15
03Jan62 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 27Dec61)

 Synopsis:
The alley looks like it's going to be a pretty cold place during the
winter. So the gang trick Dibble into arresting them - and taking them
to a nice warm jail. [TA]

[15] Top Cat: THE TYCOON
prod. no. T-14
10Jan62 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 03Jan62)

 Guest Voice:
Don Messick (as Vanderfeller)
Synopsis:
"The Tycoon" is a philanthropist named Vanderfeller. When he sees
Top Cat and his boys in rags, out peddling raffle tickets, he gives
them a check - for a million dollars. [TA]

[16] Top Cat: THE GRAND TOUR
prod. no. T-19
17Jan62 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 10Jan62)

 Synopsis:
T.C., who thinks the neighborhood needs a little more class, puts the
gang to work creating "historic landmarks." Soon, their alley becomes
the one where Paul Revere fed his horse. [TA]

[17] Top Cat: SPACE MONKEY
prod. no. T-21
24Jan62 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 17Jan62)

 Synopsis:
Top Cat and the gang are faced with a desperate crisis: Officer Dibble
has threatened to jail them for vagrancy unless one of them gets a job. [TA]

[18] Top Cat: T.C. MINDS THE BABY
prod. no. T-17
31Jan62 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 24Jan62)

 Synopsis:
Out looking for food, the gang comes across a picnic basket in the
park. But instead of a meal, there's a squeal - from an abandoned
baby tucked inside. [TA]

[19] Top Cat: THE GOLDEN FLEECING
prod. no. T-20
07Feb62 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 31Jan62)

 Synopsis:
Benny the Ball receives a large insurance dividend, and T.C. and the
gang intend to help him celebrate the occasion - at the Pink Palm
Night Club. [TA]

[20] Top Cat: THE CASE OF THE ABSENT ANTEATER
(a.k.a. "The Case of the Missing Anteater")
prod. no. T-16
14Feb62 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 07Feb62)

 Synopsis:
Benny encounters a very strange-looking animal and brings it home
with him - only to be reminded by T.C. that the gang has a firm policy
against pets. [TA]

[21] Top Cat: FAREWELL, MR. DIBBLE
prod. no. T-18
21Feb62 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 14Feb62)

 Guest voice:
Don Messick (as Prowler)
Synopsis:
Fresh out of the Police Academy, Patrolman Prowler decides to waste
no time in reforming the city. He gets his uncle - the sergeant in
charge - to assign him to Officer Dibble's beat. [TA]

[22] Top Cat: THE LATE T.C.
prod. no. T-22
28Feb62 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 21Feb62)

 Synopsis:
Top cat and the gang pay a visit to Yankee Stadium for a look at the
Bronx Bombers in action. [TA]

[23] 7Mar62 - unknown episode

[--] Top Cat: CHOO CHOO GOES GA GA
prod. no T-24
unknown ABC airdate (copyright date 28Feb62)

 Guest voice:
Jean Vander Pyl (as Lola Glamure)
Synopsis:
Choo Choo is depressed and decides to end it all by jumping into the
Central Park lake. He asks one last favor of his pal T.C. - to deliver
a farewell note to movie star Lola Glamure. [TA]

14Mar62 - re-run of "The Violin Player" (from 25Oct61)

[24] Top Cat: THE CON MEN
prod. no. T-26
28Mar62 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 21Mar62)

 Guest voice:
Paul Frees (as Tony)
Synopsis:
T.C. and the gang hear some shocking news: The source of their free
meals - Tony the hot dog vendor - is retiring from business. [TA]

[25] 04Apr62 - unknown episode

[--] Top Cat: DIBBLE BREAKS THE RECORD
prod. no. T-27
unknown ABC airdate (copyright date 14Mar62)

 Synopsis:
Officer Dibble is about to set a new record for uninterrupted service -
and win a paid vacation as a reward. All he has to do is walk his beat
for one more day. [TA]

[26] Top Cat: DIBBLE SINGS AGAIN
prod. no. T-28
11Apr62 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 04Apr62)

 Synopsis:
T.C. is in dire need of some cash to pay a debt, but as usual he's
broke. Then he and the gang come up with the idea of a "wishing
well." [TA]

[27] 18Apr62 - unknown episode

[--] Top Cat: DIBBLE'S BIRTHDAY
prod. no. T-23
unknown ABC airdate (copyright date 28Mar62)

 Synopsis:
Dibble's birthday is coming, and Choo Choo proposes that the gang
hold a surprise party for him. [TA]

[28] Top Cat: GRISWALD (a.k.a. "Griswold")
prod. no. T-29
18Apr62 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 11Apr62)

 Synopsis:
T.C. doesn't know it yet, but Dibble has a partner named Griswald - a
trained police dog. [TA]

[29] Top Cat: DIBBLE'S DOUBLE
prod. no. T-30
25Apr62 ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm (copyright date 18Apr62)

 Synopsis:
Officer Dibble is trying to stop T.C. from booking bets on turtle races. [TA]

[30] Top Cat: KING FOR A DAY (final new episode)
prod. no. T-25
02May62 ABC (copyright date 25Apr62)

 Synopsis:
T.C. and the gang make Dibble fall for another of their con games.

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Spring & Summer re-runs on ABC:
------------------------------

09May62 - re-run of "The "$1,000,000 Derby" (from 27Sep61)
16May62 - re-run of "Top Cat Falls in Love" (from 18Oct61)
23May62 - re-run of "Hawaii - Here We Come" (from 11Oct61)
30May62 - re-run of "Rafeefleas" (from 29Nov61)
06Jun62 - re-run of "A Visit from Mother" (from 22Nov61)
13Jun62 - re-run of "Choo Choo's Romance" (from 15Nov61)
20Jun62 - unknown
27Jun62 - re-run of "The Tycoon" (from 10Jan62)
04Jul62 - re-run of "The Grand Tour" (from 17Jan62)
11Jul62 - re-run of "Space Monkey" (from 24Jan62)
18Jul62 - re-run of "T.C. Minds the Baby" (from 31Jan62)
25Jul62 - re-run of "The Golden Fleecing" (from 07Feb62)
01Aug62 - re-run of "The Case of the Missing Anteater" (14Feb62)
08Aug62 - re-run of "Farewell, Mr. Dibble" (from 21Feb62)
15Aug62 - re-run of "The Late T.C." (from 28Feb62)
22Aug62 - re-run of "Choo Choo goes Ga Ga"
29Aug62 - re-run of "All That Jazz" (from 08Nov61)
05Sep62 - re-run of "Dibble Breaks the Record"
12Sep62 - re-run of "The Con Men" (from 28Mar62)
19Sep62 - re-run of "Dibble's Birthday"
26Sep62 - re-run of "Dibble's Double" (from 25Apr62)


################## Top Cat ###################
################# the end ##################
##############################################

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