Cattanooga Cats

Cattanooga Cats
Genre	Animation Comedy
Written by	Neal Barbera Larz Bourne
Directed by	William Hanna Joseph Barbera
Voices of	William Callaway Casey Kasem Jim Begg Julie Bennett Bruce Watson Janet Waldo Don Messick Allan Melvin Daws Butler Marty Ingels Dick Curtis Paul Lynde
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of episodes	17
Production
Producers	William Hanna Joseph Barbera
Running time	60 minutes
Production company	Hanna-Barbera Productions
Original release
Network	ABC
Release	September 13, 1969 – September 5, 1971

Cattanooga Cats is an animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera for ABC. It aired from September 6, 1969 to September 4, 1971.

Segments

The show was a package program similar to the Hanna-Barbera/NBC show The Banana Splits, except that it contained no live-action segments. During the 1969–1970 season, Cattanooga Cats ran one hour and contained four segments. During the 1970–1971 season, the segments It's the Wolf! and Motormouse and Autocat were spun off into a half-hour show. Around the World in 79 Days remained a part of Cattanooga Cats, which was reduced to a half-hour. Motormouse and Autocat ran concurrently with Cattanooga Cats until both met their demise at the end of the 1970–1971 season.

Cattanooga Cats

Cattanooga Cats depicted the adventures of a fictitious rock band similar to The Archies and The Banana Splits populated by anthropomorphic hillbilly cats consisting of:

• Lead singer/guitarist Country (voiced by Bill Callaway)
• Singer/dancer Kitty Jo (voiced by Julie Bennett)
• Bassist Scoots (voiced by Jim Begg)
• Drummer Groove (voiced by Casey Kasem)

A fifth member, a mouse keyboardist named "Cheesie", was storyboarded but cut out of the series. The group traveled around in a van, was chased by a female cat groupie named Chessie, the "Autograph Hound" (also voiced by Julie Bennett) and Kitty Jo owned a big blue dog named "Teeny Tim". The singing vocals for The Cattanooga Cats were performed by Michael Lloyd and Peggy Clinger. Producer Mike Curb was the musical director for the series and co-wrote all the songs performed by the Cattanooga Cats. Ted Nichols composed the background music. An LP, The Cattanooga Cats (Forward ST-F-1018), featuring some of the songs used in the series, was released in 1969.

The Cats also appeared in various "bumpers" between the other cartoons, but were best remembered for their animated musical segments. These cartoons showed a strong psychedelic and op-art influence and the Cattanooga Cats remain a cult favorite to this day.

Episodes

Only nine cartoon story segments featuring the characters were produced.

No.	Title	Air date
1	"Witch Whacky"	TBA
While traveling to a gig, the Cats meet a witch determined to use Kitty Jo as her replacement.
2	"Geronihoho"	TBA
A Native American chief chases tourists away to preserve his land, even in the modern day, until the Cats show him a better life in show business.
3	"The Big Boo-Boo"	TBA
A princess, her father, and her servant attend a concert of the Cats. The princess wishes she could do the dances, leading the servant to become obsessed with capturing Kitty Jo in order to fulfill the wish, in spite of the fact the people were to leave for home tomorrow. In the end, the Cats give her a book illustrating all the dances.
4	"The Wee Greenie Goofie"	TBA
A leprechaun has followed Kitty Jo's uncle home from the Republic of Ireland, and continues playing pranks on the Cats until they beat him at his own game. They turn down his pot of gold to let him free, and so he decides to hitch a ride with them.
5	"Mummy's Day"	TBA
The Cats manage to get inside a museum before closing time and get locked inside it.
6	"Zoo's Who"	TBA
The Cats spend their day at a zoo.
7	"Autograph Hounded"	TBA
Chessie the Autograph Hound stalks the Cats in order to get autographs and satisfy her fan club, inspiring a nightmare experienced by Groove later. When he awakens, he thinks his dream has been real, but what he thought was Chessie was only a police officer asking the Cats to play at their charity ball.
8	"The Caribbean Kook"	TBA
A pirate invades a cruise ship where the Cats were booked to perform. After a series of plots the Cats foil, the passengers all think it was all part of the act. As a result, the pirate gets a full-time job in place of being a real pirate.
9	"Ghosting A-Go-Go"	TBA
The Cats arrive at a haunted house, where its ghost is determined to trap them once and for all.

Around the World in 79 Days

Loosely based upon the novel Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne, this was an adventure segment involving balloonist "Phinny Fogg" (conceived as the great-great grandson from America of the main character Phileas Fogg in the novel and voiced by Bruce Watson) and reporter teenagers Jenny (voiced by Janet Waldo) and Hoppy (voiced by Don Messick), who set out on a globetrotting adventure to travel around the world in 79 days and beat the original record set by Phinny's father. The trio are in competition for both the record and a £1,000,000 prize against the sinister Crumden (voiced by Daws Butler), who supposedly was the butler of the original Phineas. Crumden is aided by his idiotic chauffeur Bumbler (voiced by Allan Melvin) and his pet monkey Smirky (voiced by Don Messick). Unlike the other segments, Around the World in 79 Days was a serial with a continuing story, however, as with many shows made during this period, it has no specific ending.

Episodes

No.	Title	Air date
1	"The Race is On"	TBA
2	"Swiss Mis-Adventure"	TBA
3	"Arabian Daze"	TBA
4	"Madrid or Busted"	TBA
5	"Mr. Bom Bom"	TBA
6	"India or Bust"	TBA
7	"Snow Slappy"	TBA
8	"Finney Finney Fun Fun"	TBA
9	"The Argentiney Meany"	TBA
10	"The Tree Man"	TBA
11	"Saucy Aussie"	TBA
12	"Crumden's Last Stand"	TBA
13	"Egyptian Jinx"	TBA
14	"Border Disorder"	TBA
15	"Troubles in Dutch"	TBA
16	"The Fiji Weegees"	TBA
17	"Hawaiian Hangup"	TBA

It's the Wolf!

It's the Wolf! followed the comic exploits of a wolf named Mildew (voiced by Paul Lynde), who aspires to catch and eat a sure-footed lamb named Lambsy (voiced by Daws Butler), but is always thwarted by the dog Bristle Hound (voiced by Allan Melvin). Bristle would apprehend Mildew (usually after hearing Lambsy cry out, "It's the wool-uff!"), pound him, and toss him sailing into the air, with Mildew screaming a phrase such as "Spoilsport!" as he flies into the horizon and lands with a thud.

Episodes

No.	Title	Air date
1	"It's the Wolf"	TBA
The pilot show. Mildew Wolf arrives to catch Lambsy so he can eat him for dinner, but didn't factor in the lamb's guardian, Bristle Hound.
2	"When My Sheep Comes In"	TBA
Lambsy and Bristle are on a cruise ship headed for Australia so Lambsy can participate in a sheep show. Of course, Mildew shows up to make life miserable for the two.
3	"A Sheep in the Deep"	TBA
A deserted island is where Mildew finds Bristle and Lambsy relaxing. Eventually it sinks.
4	"High Hopes"	TBA
Lambsy is put in a hot-air balloon, and eventually joins Bristle in an airplane; all the while, Mildew is posing as the Crimson Baron (a parody of the Red Baron).
5	"Winter Blunder-Land!"	TBA
Winter has brought its snow, and Lambsy enjoys a variety of snow-themed activities whilst having to have Bristle protect him from Mildew.
6	"Merry Go Roundup!"	TBA
Mildew builds an amusement park just for Lambsy.
7	"Super Sheep Sitting Service"	TBA
Bristle uses a closed circuit television camera system to help stop Mildew.
8	"Any Sport in a Storm"	TBA
Lambsy tries out a bunch of sports, all of which Mildew uses to try to catch him.
9	"Magic Wanderer"	TBA
Mildew and Lambsy, and later Bristle, use magic tricks in their ongoing battle.
10	"Runaway Home"	TBA
Lambsy decides to run away from home, but gives up after all of Mildew's follies, thus confirming Bristle was telling the truth when quoting the following quote: "Leave them alone and they'll come home, wagging their tails behind them."
11	"Smart Dummy"	TBA
Mildew makes mechanical dummies of himself to catch Lambsy, only to get beaten at his own game.
12	"Channel Chasers"	TBA
When Lambsy and Bristle get a new television set, Mildew tricks Lambsy into thinking he's a film director.
13	"Mask Me No Questions"	TBA
The Masked Avenger is Lambsy's favorite TV hero, and he writes a letter to the character to ask for protection from Mildew. When Lambsy finally meets him while running from Mildew, the actor's fear of wolves leads him to run away when he spots Mildew. Lambsy is disappointed and goes back to depending on Bristle.
14	"Freeway Frenzy"	TBA
15	"Slumber Jacks"	TBA
16	"Pow Wow Wolf"	TBA
17	"Ghost of a Chance"	TBA
18	"Lamb Scout Cook Out"	TBA
Lambsy has joined the Lamb Scouts, a fact to which Mildew uses to try to trap him.
19	"Wolf in a Sheep's Clothing"	TBA
Bristle and Lambsy search for Little Bo Beep's missing sheep, while Mildew tries disguises ranging from Little Bo Peep to Little Boy Blue, even playing a jazzy trumpet solo.
20	"To Beach His Own"	TBA
21	"Sheep Scene Stealer"	TBA
Mildew uses Lambsy's stage acting lessons as an excuse to catch him.
22	"Kookie Cook Book Cook"	TBA
23	"Train Tripped"	TBA
Bristle and Lambsy take a train trip, and Mildew comes along for the ride.
24	"I Never Met a Lamb I Didn't Like"	TBA
Mildew takes advantage of Lambsy's boredom to catch him, going as far as being a pony customers can ride for 10¢. But then an actual cowboy shows up and has actually paid the dime for the ride, and rides Mildew!
25	"Cat Caper"	TBA

Motormouse and Autocat

Essentially a motor-racing version of Tom and Jerry, this segment involved the antics of a race car-driving cat and a motorcycle-driving mouse. Much of the segment's appeal lay in the bizarre cars that Autocat (voiced by Marty Ingels) devised in his attempts to catch Motormouse (voiced by Dick Curtis), and in the pleasing and unusual character voices and dialect. For example, Motormouse would often over enunciate words, saying things like "Chi-co-ry", and greeting Autocat with a friendly "Hey there, Au-to-cat". Motormouse resembled Pixie & Dixie in character design.

Episodes

No.	Title	Air date
1	"Wheelin' and Dealin'"	TBA
Motormouse and Autocat compete with their racing machines when they receive new parts and upgrades.
2	"Party Crasher"	TBA
Autocat tries to crash Motormouse's party, not realising it is for his birthday.
3	"Water Sports"	TBA
4	"What's the Motor with You?"	TBA
5	"Mini Messenger"	TBA
Autocat attempts to put Motormouse's Delivery Service out of business.
6	"Wild Wheelin' Wheels"	TBA
Autocat's failed attempts to catch Motormouse without a car, prompt him to take drastic automobile action.
7	"Soggy To Me"	TBA
Motormouse becomes a firefighter. Autocat's efforts to bag Motormouse, end with him soaking wet.
8	"Crash Course"	TBA
Autocat tries to ensure Motormouse doesn't make it to the motorcycle race, but he gets himself in the race.
9	"Fueling Around"	TBA
When Motormouse mixes a new Super fuel, Autocat tries to mix his own, with explosive results.
10	"Buzzin' Cousin"	TBA
11	"Snow-Go"	TBA
12	"Hard Days Day"	TBA
Autocat creates a remote-controlled Motormouse Remover, complete with a missile.
13	"Tally Ha Ha"	TBA
14	"Hocus Focus"	TBA
15	"Kitty Kitty Bang Bang"	TBA
16	"King Size Kaddy"	TBA
17	"Catch as Cat Can"	TBA
18	"Catnapping Mouse"	TBA
19	"Paint That Ain't"	TBA
20	"I've Been Framed"	TBA
21	"Match Making Mouse"	TBA
22	"Electronic Brainstorm"	TBA
23	"Brute Farce"	TBA
24	"Bouncing Buddies"	TBA
25	"Ramblin Wreck from Texas"	TBA
26	"Two Car Mirage"	TBA
27	"Alacazap'"	TBA
28	"Geni and the Meany"	TBA
29	"Choo Choo Cheetah"	TBA
30	"The Fastest Mouse in the West"	TBA
31	"Cat Skill School"	TBA
32	"The Cool Cat Contest"	TBA
33	"Lights! Action! Catastrophe!"	TBA
34	"Follow That Cat"	TBA

Voice Cast

• Bill Callaway - Country
• Julie Bennett - Kitty Jo, Chessie
• Jim Begg - Scoots
• Casey Kasem - Groove
• Bruce Watson - Phinny Fogg
• Janet Waldo - Jenny
• Don Messick - Hoppy, Smirky
• Daws Butler - Crumden, Lambsy
• Allan Melvin - Bumbler, Bristle Hound
• Paul Lynde - Mildew Wolf
• Dick Curtis - Motormouse
• Marty Ingels - Autocat

In other languages

• Brazilian Portuguese: Turma da Gatolândia
• French: Autochat et Mimimoto
• Italian: I gatti di Cattanooga
• Spanish: Los Gatedráticos del Ritmo

Epilogue

Hanna-Barbera had high hopes for Cattanooga Cats to be a hit program, like The Banana Splits, but the show failed to attract a large audience during its original run. Mildew Wolf, the most popular character on the program, resurfaced six years after the cancellation of Cattanooga Cats as co-host, with Snagglepuss, on Laff-a-Lympics, this time voiced by John Stephenson. Lambsy appeared in the television film Yogi's Ark Lark. Sky One occasionally broadcast "Cattanooga Cats" shorts in the UK in 1990, the segments were shown in complete isolation, broadcast neither as part of the original show or a new compilation.

Reruns of the show were not seen until the program began airing as part of the Boomerang programming block on the Cartoon Network, which later became a spin-off network of its own. For several months the UK Boomerang channel ran the musical interludes from the show, all of which ran to exactly 1 minute 45 seconds, as short (and unidentified) fillers before closing down at midnight. When the channel expanded to 24 hours, these interludes were dropped. The complete show has not been seen in the UK in recent years.

Home Media releases

Warner Archive has yet to release the entire complete series to DVD.

CD release

Curb Records, the eventual successor to Forward Records (owned by noted record producer Mike Curb), most likely owns the master tapes of the Cattanooga Cats album. Curb likewise has not expressed plans to re-release the Cattanooga Cats album.

External links

• Cattanooga Cats at IMDb
• Cattanooga Cats according to Wingnut
• CattanoogaCats.info
• Motormouse and Autocat at Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Archived from the original on April 7, 2012.