Classic cartoon character Top Cat is Toppi Katti by the Finnish!

Probably my favorite cartoon show was Top Cat, well, maybe?... While I remember, there was also Tom and Jerry, Wacky Racers, The Flintstones, Scooby Doo, Rhubarb and Custard etc. etc. etc, but certainly Top Cat is up there with the very best cartoon shows of all time. I was slightly confused (didn't take much in those days, and still doesn't now!) as to why the theme tune referred to Top Cat and the cartoon was titled Boss Cat, can you remember that? There was a cut at the end of the opening credits with Boss Cat logo inserted. Well around the same time (early sixties) in the UK there was a brand of cat food called...you've guessed it, Top Cat. I can't remember that far back as I wasn't even born when the first run was broadcast in 1962, but I suppose the BBC didn't want people to think there was a connection between the cartoon and the product, especially when Aunty Beeb (the BBC as it's affectionately known by some) didn't allow advertising on it's station.

Top Cat was inspired by characters from the Phil Silvers Show (1955-1959), and again, usually more affectionately known to most as Sargent Bilko, or just plain Bilko. This series was also part of my growing-up (watching repeats, of course) and I will discuss in greater detail the delights of this wonderful show at a later date.

Top Cat, or T.C. to his friends, (I can still remember Brain, the dim-witted, stuttering, orange and purple cats' catchphrase 'Duhhh, what's up T.C?' vividly) was a leader of a gang of alley cats in New York City. He was a lovable rougue, even though some of his scams were considered slightly shameful to the rest of the members. I've already mentioned Brain, a non too bright cat who was for some inexplicable reason left in charge of the finances, which was rarely a significant amount...but what about the rest of the motley crew? I think the short, fat, slow but not so stupid, Benny the Ball was T.C.'s best friend and desperately tried to keep order amongst the shenanigans. Maurice Gosfield provided the voice of Bennie the Ball and also played Private Dwayne Doberman in Bilko (see pic. left) The characters of Bennie and Doberman are based significantly on one another as they are both, chubby, slow and cute!!! Similarly the voice of Top Cat is reminiscent of Sargent Bilko's authoritative ramblings and outbursts. My favorite character it has to be said is Choo Choo, T.C.'s second in command, a loyal cat but clueless to the events around him for the most part. He is very distinctive, a tall pink cat with a white turtle-neck top. Next, Fancy is a ladies man...er, sorry cat, with a smooth talking voice similar to Cary Grant. He regularly is seen abandoning the ladies to the sound of the dustbin lid call to action! Finally Spook, a green furred, black tied, beatnik pool shark that is so laid back he's virtually horizontal!

The basic scenario to most of the episodes was an attempt to earn a 'fast-buck' by a non-too-well thought out scam that was usually unsuccessfully thwarted by Officer Dibble, bless him. Behind his stern approach in his attempt to catch them red-handed, I think he really liked T.C. and the rest of the crew.

Top Cat was broadcast in many countries. I like the German translation for the show, Superkater, the Finnish, Toppi Katti is also most amusing, but the daddy is, er...Pissu Pusa, as known by many folk in Sri Lanka. Pissu Pusa...er, sorry Top Cat certainly gets about a bit! What was your favorite cartoon show or character. Please let me know, thanks.