It was presumed that Arnold Stang wasn't available at the time, while Maurice Gosfield died in 1964. While the others don't have dialogue, Top Cat was voiced by Daws Butler and Benny the Ball was voice by John Stephenson.
Ī frequent plot-line revolved around the local policeman, Officer Charles "Charlie" Dibble, and his ineffective attempts to evict the gang from the alley. Another possible source material was " Hokey Wolf", a segment on The Huckleberry Hound Show, which also had parallels to The Phil Silvers Show. Maurice Gosfield, who played Private Duane Doberman on The Phil Silvers Show, also provided the voice for Benny the Ball in Top Cat (Benny's rotund appearance was based on Gosfield too).Įven Arnold Stang's voicing of Top Cat strongly resembled Phil Silvers' voice. It has also been said that the Bowery Boys influenced the show.
Top Cat and his gang were inspired by characters from the popular situation comedy You'll Never Get Rich (later called The Phil Silvers Show). by close friends, "pro-vid-ing it's with dignity" as the lyrics of the theme song say - is the leader of a gang of New York City alley cats which includes Fancy-Fancy, Spook, Benny the Ball, Brain, and Choo-Choo.
The central character, Top Cat - called T.C. Originally broadcast on Wednesdays, 8:30-9pm Eastern, Top Cat was co-sponsored by Kellogg's and Bristol-Myers ( Bufferin).