Vintage Cartoons. . . And "Vintage Movies"

Development and Production:

• "Top Cat" was created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, the founders of Hanna-Barbera Productions.
  
  
  
• The show was developed in response to the success of "The Flintstones," which was the first prime-time animated television series.
• The character designs were done by Arnold Stang, who also provided the voice for Top Cat.
  
  
  
• The animation was done by the Hanna-Barbera studio, with many talented animators contributing to the production, including Iwao Takamoto, Jerry Eisenberg, and Carlo Vinci.

Plot:

• The show is set in a fictional Manhattan alleyway called Hoagy's Alley, where Top Cat and his gang reside.
• Top Cat, along with his loyal friends Benny the Ball, Choo-Choo, Brain, Fancy-Fancy, and Spook, constantly scheme to outwit Officer Dibble, the long-suffering beat cop who patrols their territory.
• Each episode typically revolves around the gang's various get-rich-quick schemes or attempts to avoid trouble with Officer Dibble.

Legacy:

• Despite its relatively short original run, "Top Cat" has endured as a beloved classic, particularly in Latin America and Europe, where it gained a significant following.
• The show has been syndicated and rerun numerous times since its original airing, introducing it to new generations of viewers.
• "Top Cat" has also spawned various merchandise, including toys, comic books, and even a feature film in 2011.

Writers:

• The primary writers for "Top Cat" included Arnold Stang, who provided the voice for the titular character, and legendary Hanna-Barbera scribes like Warren Foster, Kin Platt, and Barry E. Blitzer.
• These writers were responsible for crafting the witty dialogue and clever plots that became synonymous with the show's charm and humor.

In summary, "Top Cat" remains a beloved classic in the realm of animated television, thanks to its memorable characters, sharp writing, and enduring appeal. Created by the legendary team of Hanna-Barbera, the show continues to entertain audiences around the world with its timeless humor and clever storytelling.