T.H.E. Cat#Reception
{{short description|American action drama television series}}
{{distinguish|The Cat (disambiguation){{!}}The Cat}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Robert Loggia 1966.jpg
| caption = Robert Loggia in T.H.E. Cat
| genre = Action drama
Crime drama
| creator = Harry Julian Fink
| writer = Ronald Austin
James D. Buchanan
Harry Julian Fink
Robert Hamner
Herman Miller
Bernard C. Schoenfeld
Jack Turley
| director = Alan Crosland Jr.
Paul Baxley
Don McDougall
Maurice Vaccarino
Boris Sagal
Jacques Tourneur
| starring = Robert Loggia
R. G. Armstrong
Robert Carricart
| composer = Lalo Schifrin
Gerald Fried
Ruby Raksin
| company = NBC Productions
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 26
| list_episodes =
| producer = Boris Sagal
| runtime = 30 minutes
| channel = NBC
| first_aired = {{Start date|1966|9|16}}
| last_aired = {{End date|1967|3|31}}
}}
T.H.E. Cat is an American television action drama that aired on NBC Fridays from 9:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. during the 1966–1967 television season.Brooks, Tim and Marsh, Earl, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946 – Present, 1st Edition, page 606, Ballantine Books, 1979
Robert Loggia starred as the title character, Thomas Hewitt Edward Cat. The series preceded the 1968–1970 ABC television series It Takes a Thief, which was also about a cat burglar who uses his skills for good. T.H.E. Cat is reminiscent of Peter Gunn in that the action is backed by a memorable music score, composed by Lalo Schifrin, who did the music for The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Mission: Impossible.Robert Loggia Has a Problem - His Hit is Still Missing, Akron Beacon Journal, November 20, 1966, page 3
The series was co-sponsored by R. J. Reynolds (Winston) and Lever Brothers and was created by Harry Julian Fink.
Synopsis
Out of the night comes a man who saves lives at the risk of his own. Once a circus performer, an aerialist who refused the net. Once a cat burglar, a master among jewel thieves. Now a professional bodyguard. Primitive... savage... in love with danger. The Cat!{{cite web |url=http://mysteryfile.com/blog/?p=11133|title=A TV Series Review by Michael Shonk: T.H.E. CAT (1966–67) |publisher=mysteryfile.com}}
The series' hero is a reformed thief who had served a prison term.{{cite news | last=Gowran | first=Clay | date=October 31, 1966 | title=Plan More Kisses for Bone Busting Cat | work=Chicago Tribune | url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1966/10/31/page/36/article/plan-more-kisses-for-bone-busting-cat | access-date=September 4, 2016}} Of Romani heritage, Cat is cast in the mold of famed private eye Peter Gunn. Like Gunn's waterfront bar Mother's, Cat operates out of Casa Del Gato (House of the Cat) in San Francisco, of which he is part owner. Thomas is a master of martial arts who uses his skills to stop antagonists in his pursuit of justice for the downtrodden. He always works on the side of the law, occasionally using his skills to benefit the local police. His police contact is Police Capt. McAllister, a man with one hand. R. G. Armstrong played McAllister in 12 episodes of the series.{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060030/|title = T.H.E. Cat|website = IMDb|date = 16 September 1966}} Cat is also a master gymnast and acrobatic artist who uses his skills to gain entry to places from which the police are barred by law.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-hXsMbUqEs|title = - YouTube|website = YouTube}}
Ratings and mid-season changes
The series was test-marketed during the summer of 1966 and did well, so NBC expected it to have high ratings. However viewership was disappointing, and few teenagers watched the program.
After sixteen episodes were completed the series took a two-week filming break so that star Robert Loggia could go on an eight-city publicity tour to explain his character, T. Hewitt Edward Cat, and the writers could make changes they hoped would appeal to more teens. Loggia stated people had told him the series was too "arty" and they didn’t understand the concept. He had also been told that the "mysterious" character was too mysterious, and viewers didn’t know enough about him. When the series resumed production the character of Captain McAllister was eliminated, as many viewers didn’t like seeing Cat being close to a policeman. The changes didn’t help viewership, and the series was cancelled after one season.
Episodes
{{Episode table |background= | overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=1
|Title = To Kill a Priest
|DirectedBy = Boris Sagal
|WrittenBy = Harry Julian Fink
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1966|9|16}}
|ShortSummary= An extortionist vows to kill a priest (Jason Evers) who tells fishermen not to pay protection money.
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=2
|Title = The Sandman
|DirectedBy = Boris Sagal
|WrittenBy = James D. Buchanan & Ronald Austin
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1966|9|23}}
|ShortSummary= Sanderson, a cat burglar who mentored Cat, needs to steal a gem called The Portuguese so he can return it to the owner he once stole it from.
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=3
|Title = Payment Overdue
|DirectedBy = Boris Sagal
|WrittenBy = Robert Hamner
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1966|9|30}}
|ShortSummary= The press agent for a Casa del Gato singer is killed, and Cat sets out to find out why.
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=4
|Title = The Brotherhood
|DirectedBy = Maurice Vaccarino
|WrittenBy = Harry Julian Fink
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1966|10|7}}
|ShortSummary= The Brotherhood will kill a girl if Cat doesn't bring them an ex-cop being released from prison.
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=5
|Title = Little Arnie from Long Ago
|DirectedBy = Don McDougall
|WrittenBy = James D. Buchanan & Ronald Austin
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1966|10|14}}
|ShortSummary= McAllister wants revenge on the ex-con, Arnie (James Whitmore), who shot his hand off 30 years ago. Arnie, fresh out of prison, plans to return to a life of crime, but other criminals, such as Drummer (Jack Gilford), realize he's now living in the past.
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=6
|Title = None to Weep, None to Mourn
|DirectedBy = Harvey Hart
|WrittenBy = Herman Miller
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1966|10|21}}
|ShortSummary= A Copic man dies and his son must spend the night by his father's corpse. The widow (Diana Muldaur), believes her son will be killed, and hires Cat to protect him.
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=7
|Title = Moment of Truth
|DirectedBy = John Rich
|WrittenBy = John O'Dea & Arthur Rowe
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1966|10|28}}
|ShortSummary= Pepe asks Cat to protect a crippled ex-matador, but a singer (Linda Cristal) tells Cat to stay away from the man.
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=8
|Title = Marked for Death
|DirectedBy = Alan Crosland Jr.
|WrittenBy = George F. Slavin & Stanley Adams
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1966|11|4}}
|ShortSummary= Gypsies want to execute Pepe, but Cat risks his own life to save him. Albert Salmi and Michael Constantine are guest stars.
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=9
|Title = Crossing at Destino Bay
|DirectedBy = Boris Sagal
|WrittenBy = Robert E. Thompson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1966|11|18}}
|ShortSummary= Passengers are held hostage at a ferry waiting room. One of them hired Cat for protection. Robert Duvall is a guest star.
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=10
|Title = To Bell T.H.E. Cat
|DirectedBy = Sutton Roley
|WrittenBy = Bernard C. Schoenfeld
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1966|11|25}}
|ShortSummary= A young woman sketching at an outdoor cafe witnesses a murder. Cat must find out if she is an innocent bystander or an accomplice to the true villain (Henry Darrow).
|LineColor=
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=11
|Title = Curtains for Miss Winslow
|DirectedBy = Herschel Daugherty
|WrittenBy = Bernard C. Schoenfeld
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1966|12|2}}
|ShortSummary= A reclusive actress living in a closed theater hires Cat to protect her from a murderer.
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=12
|Title = King of Limpets
|DirectedBy = Boris Sagal
|WrittenBy = Herman Miller
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1966|12|9}}
|ShortSummary= Cat is hired to protect a boy from villains, but no one will tell Cat who the youth is. John Dehner is a guest star.
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=13
|Title = The System
|DirectedBy = Don McDougall
|WrittenBy = Robert Hamner
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1966|12|16}}
|ShortSummary= Cat rescues a kidnapped mathematician. Why does a prince want the man back?
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=14
|Title = The Canary Who Lost His Voice
|DirectedBy = Joseph Pevney
|WrittenBy = Shimon Wincelberg
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1966|12|23}}
|ShortSummary= A woman (Pert Kelton) hires Cat to save a man (James Dunn) from a criminal. But is the woman working for the criminal?
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=15
|Title = The Ring of Anasis
|DirectedBy = Jacques Tourneur
|WrittenBy = Herman Miller
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1966|12|30}}
|ShortSummary= Cat is hired to protect a man (William Daniels) who believes he is meant to be sacrificed. Someone tries to kill the suspects.
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=16
|Title = Queen of Diamonds, Knave of Hearts
|DirectedBy = Boris Sagal
|WrittenBy = Jack Turley
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1967|1|6}}
|ShortSummary= Cat's friend needs the return of the necklace she gave to a blackmailer (Cesar Romero).
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=17
|Title = A Hot Place to Die
|DirectedBy = Paul Baxley
|WrittenBy = Jack Turley
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1967|1|13}}
|ShortSummary= A couple on the run have evidence to convict a criminal. They hire Cat for protection.
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=18
|Title = A Slight Family Trait
|DirectedBy = Boris Sagal
|WrittenBy = Jack Turley
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1967|1|20}}
|ShortSummary= A young lady tries to open the safe of a king. Her mother, an old friend of Cat, doesn't want her daughter to follow in the family business of thievery.
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=19
|Title = If Once You Fail
|DirectedBy = Maurice Vaccarino
|WrittenBy = Harry Julian Fink
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1967|1|27}}
|ShortSummary= Cat is courting a doctor who witnesses a murder, and can identify the killer. When Cat fails to save her life, he sets himself up as bait to find her assassin.
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=20
|Title = Design for Death
|DirectedBy = Alan Crosland Jr.
|WrittenBy = Jack Turley
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1967|2|3}}
|ShortSummary= Cat attends a fashion show where a model is murdered. Thieves want the package she planned to give to a friend. Henry Darrow is a guest star.
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=21
|Title = Matter Over Mind
|DirectedBy = Boris Sagal
|WrittenBy = James D. Buchanan & Ronald Austin
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1967|2|10}}
|ShortSummary= A soothsayer (Sally Kellerman) tells a man that Cat is coming after him, and that Cat must be killed.
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=22
|Title = The Blood-Red Night
|DirectedBy = Bert Freed
|WrittenBy = Bernard C. Schoenfeld
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1967|2|17}}
|ShortSummary= An elderly lady (Cathleen Nesbitt) owns a cursed ruby. She hires Cat to protect her until the gem is cut into smaller stones to break the curse. John Hoyt is a guest star.
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=23
|Title = The Ninety Percent Blues
|DirectedBy = Harry Harris
|WrittenBy = Robert Hamner
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1967|2|24}}
|ShortSummary= A night club owner (Warren Stevens) demands that a comic sign away 90% of his wages to stay alive. The comic's girlfriend hired Cat for protection.
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=24
|Title = The Long Chase
|DirectedBy = Paul Baxley
|WrittenBy = Robert Hamner
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1967|3|10}}
|ShortSummary= Police Lieutenant Lassiter (John Marley) asks Cat to rescue a nurse held hostage by a killer (Robert Duvall) who once saved Cat's life.
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=25
|Title = Twenty-One and Out
|DirectedBy = Paul Stanley
|WrittenBy = Preston Wood
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1967|3|24}}
|ShortSummary= Cat's friend (Susan Oliver) is to testify against a criminal. Cat tries to protect her, but she is tired of hiding and insists on traveling. John Marley guest stars as Lieutenant Lassiter.
|LineColor=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=26
|Title = Lisa
|DirectedBy = Jud Taylor
|WrittenBy = James D. Buchanan & Ronald Austin
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1967|3|31}}
|ShortSummary= A man is killed outside of Casa del Gato. He was bringing Cat a message from Lisa (Diana Van der Vlis), an acquaintance who specializes in double-crossing partners in crime. Victor Buono is a guest star.
|LineColor=
}}
}}
Cast
- Robert Loggia as Thomas Hewitt Edward Cat
- R. G. Armstrong as Captain McAllister
- Robert Carricart as Pepe Cordoza
Guest stars: Chris Alcaide, Barbara Stuart, Steve Ihnat, Robert Duvall, Laura Devon, Yvonne Romain, Sorrell Booke, Diana Muldaur, Linda Cristal, Ted Jordan, Robert Sampson, Simon Scott and Fred Beir and Caesar Romero.
See also
- The A-Team television series about a team of former military personnel who help those in need.
- It Takes a Thief television series about an ex-cat burglar released from prison to steal for the fictional government agency SIA (Secret Intelligence Agency)
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|id=0060030|title=T.H.E. Cat}}
- {{epguides|id=THECat|title=T.H.E. Cat}}
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbH1_48IrjA T.H.E. Cat intro—YouTube Video]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YfbubM-7Yc T.H.E. Cat Episode 6—Starring Robert Loggia—YouTube Video]
Category:1966 American television series debuts
Category:1967 American television series endings
Category:American spy television series
Category:Fictional representations of Romani people
Category:NBC television dramas
Category:Television series by CBS Studios