TOP CAT BEGINS Coming to UK Theatres in May

Classic cartoon lovers rejoice! That fantastic feline superstar returns to UK movie screens in just a few weeks. As the Hoyt Curtin TV theme proclaims, “…but above everything, he’s the most tip top…Top Cat!”. TC, as close friends call him, did indeed debut on American  TV screens on the then fledgling ABC network in September of 1961 (talk about your nine lives!). This show, along with “The Jetsons” and “Jonny Quest” was an attempt by animation studio Hanna-Barbera to replicate the prime time success of that “modern stone-age family “The Flintstones” just a year or so before. Unfortunately TC was not the rating smash that Fred and company were, so only one season (30 half hour episodes) were produced. But the kitty con-artist and his pals endured as a Saturday morning staple,then a syndicated smash. As beloved as the show was in its native US, “Top Cat” was an even bigger hit overseas, especially south of the border.  So much so that Mexico’s Anima Estudios and Argentina’s Illusion Studios produced TC’s first theatrical feature, TOP CAT: THE MOVIE (DON GATO Y SU PANDILLO) in 2011 (a syndicated TV feature, “Top Cat and the Beverly Hills Cats”, made by HB, aired in 1987). Now TOP CAT BEGINS is set to hit UK screens on May 27. Unlike the first flick, which had 2D characters (aping the original TV show look) running through computer generated streets and alleys, this new “origin” story renders the whole gang in CGI. Let’s take a look at some images….

Hmm, perhaps this is the first meeting of TC and his good buddy Benny “the ball”. Can the rest of the gang (Choo-Choo, Spook, Fancy-Fancy, and The Brain) be far behind? And what’s up with that creepy croc up at the top? Doesn’t look like Wally Gator! And now…

….it appears that TC is in disguise (nice mustache), but who’s the human behind him? A spy? A private eye? No it’s gotta’ be…

…Officer Dibble! He always seems to be just a couple of steps behind TC and his boys. Hey, that fella’ in the green sweater behind them looks like a familiar pet shop owner. I have a feeling that many members of the Hanna Barbera family will be pop up! Here’s the official synopsis…

Tracing the roots of the famous animated series from cartoon legends Hanna-Barbera, get set for this ‘purrfect’ feature adventure that tells the ‘tail’ of how our hero, T.C. created his infamous, Manhattan alley cats gang. Poor, lonely and living on the streets, Top Cat is one sad cat, until a chance meeting with Benny, a naive and good-hearted cat looking for adventure. The pair quickly become best buddies – and partners in crime – pick pocketing their way out of poverty and quickly believing they are the real cats’ whiskers! Setting their sights higher, they decide to steal from Mr. Big, a mysterious diamond-stealing henchman who rules New York’s backstreets. As Top Cat and Benny hatch a plan to take the diamonds for themselves, little do they know, success is just the start of their problems. Along the way, our heroes meet fellow alley cats Choo Choo, Fancy-Fancy and Brain, and together they’re a formidable bunch. However, when Mr. Big catches up with them and captures Top Cat, can his new friends save the day?

See you at the garbage can under the streetlight, TC!