The Houndcats

{{Infobox television

| image =

| caption =

| runtime = 22 minutes (per episode)

| creator = Joe Ruby & Ken SpearsShostak, Stu (05-02-2012). "[http://www.stusshow.com/archives.php Interview with Joe Ruby and Ken Spears]". Stu's Show. Retrieved 03-18-2013.

| producer = Friz Freleng
David H. DePatie

| voices = Michael Bell
Joe Besser
Daws Butler
Stu Gilliam
Arte Johnson
Aldo Ray
Joan Gerber
Bob Holt
John Stephenson

| country = United States

| company = DePatie–Freleng Enterprises

| network = NBC

| first_aired = {{start date|1972|9|9}}

| last_aired = {{end date|1972|12|2}}

| num_episodes = 13

}}

The Houndcats is an American Saturday morning cartoon series produced by DePatie–Freleng Enterprises. The series was broadcast by NBC from September 9 to December 2, 1972, with reruns continuing until September 1, 1973. Thirteen episodes were produced.{{cite book |last1=Woolery |first1=George W. |title=Children's Television: The First Thirty-Five Years, 1946-1981 |date=1983 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=0-8108-1557-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/childrenstelevis0000wool/page/144/mode/2up |accessdate=14 March 2020 |pages=143–144}}

Plot

Loosely based on the CBS adventure series Mission: Impossible and the short-lived 1971 series Bearcats!,{{cite book |last1=Perlmutter |first1=David |title=The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows |date=2018 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1538103739 |pages=290–291}} it was headed by a combined team of (three) dogs and (two) cats, hence the name, as they go on spy missions in 1914 America.

Each episode begins with the Houndcats receiving orders from their unseen "Chief", whose message is played on an old-fashioned gramophone, player-piano or other devices, parodying the tape recorder scene at the start of most episodes of Mission: Impossible. However, the words "this message will self-destruct in five seconds", always takes the Houndcats by surprise, causing them to run away from the explosion.{{cite book |last1=Erickson |first1=Hal |title=Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 |date=2005 |edition=2nd |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=978-1476665993 |pages=417–418}}

Members

The "Houndcats" were led by cool and confident cat Stutz.{{cite book |last1=Rovin |first1=Jeff |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Cartoon Animals |date=1991 |publisher=Prentice Hall Press |isbn=0-13-275561-0 |accessdate=8 April 2020 |url=https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc00rovi/page/126/mode/2up/ |page=127}}
Dingdog was Stutz' right-hand man. He wore a blue Civil War uniform. He was known for bad timing and bad judgment. He is a Briard.
Mussel Mutt was the muscle – large, bulky and ever-hungry, his eyes were almost always hidden under his hat. He is an Old English Sheepdog.
Putty Puss was a tiny cat and a disguise expert.
Rhubarb was a dog and a scientist. He wore a long coat and a large sombrero usually revealing only his nose. His coat was full of gadgets.

Cast

Michael Bell as Stutz, the Raven
Joe Besser as Putty Puss
Daws Butler as Rhubarb (three episodes), Dr. Strangeless, Grogan
Stu Gilliam as Dingdog
Arte Johnson as Rhubarb, Captain Blight
Aldo Ray as Mussel Mutt
Joan Gerber as Madame X
Bob Holt
John Stephenson as Doctor Doll

Production

13 half-hour episodes of the series were produced. An adult laugh track was added, as was common practice for cartoon series at the time.{{Citation needed|date=November 2018}}

==Incarnations==

The Houndcats (1972–1973)
The Houndcats and The Barkleys (1972–1973)

Episodes

{{Episode table |background=#de8720 |overall=6 |title=30 |airdate=20 |episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 1

| Title = The Misbehavin' Raven Mission

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|9|9}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = de8720

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 2

| Title = The Double Dealing Diamond Mission

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|9|16}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = de8720

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 3

| Title = The Great Gold Train Mission

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|9|23}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = de8720

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 4

| Title = The Over the Waves Mission

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|9|30}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = de8720

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 5

| Title = There's No Biz Like Snow Biz Mission

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|10|7}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = de8720

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 6

| Title = The Strangeless Than Fiction Mission

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|10|14}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = de8720

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 7

| Title = The Ruckus on the Rails Mission

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|10|21}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = de8720

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 8

| Title = The Who's Who That's Who Mission

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|10|28}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = de8720

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 9

| Title = The Perilous, Possibly, Pilfered Plans Mission

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|11|4}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = de8720

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 10

| Title = The French Collection Mission

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|11|11}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = de8720

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 11

| Title = The Outta Sight Blight Mission

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|11|18}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = de8720

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 12

| Title = Is There a Doctor in the Greenhouse Mission

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|11|25}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = de8720

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 13

| Title = The Call Me Madame X Mission

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|12|2}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = de8720

}}

Home media

In October 2015, Film Chest Media Group released The Barkleys and The Houndcats - 2 DVD Classic Animation Set on DVD in Region 1.[http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Houndcats-Barkleys-Houndcats-2-DVD-Set/21667 2-DVD Set with DePatie-Freleng's 'The Barkleys' and 'The Houndcats'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025085220/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Houndcats-Barkleys-Houndcats-2-DVD-Set/21667 |date=2015-10-25}} This collection features all 13 episodes of the series on DVD.

Syndication

The show was previously syndicated by Viacom International, which is now CBS Television Distribution (later known as CBS Media Ventures).{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYhzUBXwXX4|title = - YouTube|website = YouTube}}

Staff

Created for Television by David H. DePatie, Friz Freleng
In Association with Ken Spears, Joe Ruby
Writers: Woody Kling, Tom Dagenais, Don Christensen
Animation Director: Bob McKimson
Storyboard Directors: Gerry Chiniquy, Arthur Leonardi, Cullen Houghtaling, Paul Sommer
Layout Supervisor and Design: Robert Taylor
Layouts: Martin Strudler, Marty Murphy, Bob Givens, Tony Rivera, Pete Alvarado
Animation: Don Williams, Manny Gould, Ken Muse, Norm McCabe, Bob Richardson, Warren Batchelder, John Gibbs, Jim Davis, Bob Matz, Bob Bransford, Reuben Timmins, Bob Bemiller
Background Supervised by Richard H. Thomas, Mary O'Loughlin
Film Editing Supervised by Lee Gunther
Film Editors: Joe Siracusa, Roger Donley, Allan R. Potter, Rick Steward
Voice Talents of Michael Bell, Joe Besser, Daws Butler, Stu Gilliam, Arte Johnson, Aldo Ray and Joan Gerber, Bob Holt, John Stephenson
Title Designs by Arthur Leonardi
Music by Doug Goodwin
Music Score Conducted by Eric Rogers
Music Recording Engineer: Eric A. Tomlinson
Executive in Charge of Production: Stan Paperny
Production Supervisor: Harry Love
Camera: Ray Lee, Larry Hogan, John Burton, Jr.
Production Mixer: Steve Orr
Sound by Producer's Sound Service, Inc.
Associate Producers: Joe Ruby, Ken Spears
Produced by David H. DePatie, Friz Freleng

In other languages

{{langx|ar|فرقة المطاردة}}
{{langx|bg|Котараци-хрътки}} {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4NGyBpSEEM |title=Котараци-хрътки - интро/аутро (БГ аудио - Нова телевизия, 1994 г.) |publisher=midoled |date=2024-01-08}}
{{langx|eu|Ehizakatuak}}
{{langx|fr|Les Chacabots}}
{{langx|he|הכלבתולים}}
{{langx|it|Gli investigatti, La valle dei gatti}}{{cite web|url=https://www.antoniogenna.net/doppiaggio/anim/lavalledeigatti.htm |title=La valle dei gatti - Antonio Genna |publisher=Il mondo dei doppiatori |accessdate=2017-10-09}}
{{langx|ja|それゆけ珍探偵ハウンドキャッツ}}{{cite web|url=http://goinkyo.blog2.fc2.com/blog-entry-377.html |title=まんがキッドボックス（1971） - 私的昭和テレビ大全集 |publisher=FC2 |date=2006-12-03 |accessdate=2017-10-09}}
{{langx|ko|골목대장 똘이}}{{cite web|url=http://sulfur.pe.kr/tech/board.php?board=lyric&command=body&no=152 |title=골목대장 똘이 : 미만부 가사묶음 - 황씨신문 |publisher=Mimanbu |accessdate=2017-10-09}}
{{langx|pl|Gończe koty}}
{{langx|pt|Missão Quase Impossível}}
{{langx|ru|Ищейки}}

References

External links

{{IMDb title|0068080}}
[http://www.toonopedia.com/houndcat.htm The Houndcats] at Don Markstein's Toonopedia. [https://archive.today/20240527172938/https://www.webcitation.org/6f3ytRraS?url=http://www.toonopedia.com/houndcat.htm Archived] from the original on February 5, 2016.

Category:1970s American animated comedy television series

Category:1970s American children's comedy television series

Category:1972 American animated television series debuts

Category:Fiction set in 1914

Category:Television series set in the 1910s

Category:Television series by CBS Studios

Category:1973 American television series endings

Category:Television series by DePatie–Freleng Enterprises

Category:Animated television series about dogs

Category:Animated television series about cats

Category:American children's animated action television series

Category:American children's animated adventure television series

Category:American children's animated comedy television series

Category:Television series created by Joe Ruby

Category:Television series created by Ken Spears

Category:NBC animated television series

Category:Children's television series about talking animals