Arnold Stang Speaks

 When the topic of Hanna-Barbera voice actors comes up, you probably aren't going to see many people mention Arnold Stang in that list. Unlike say, Daws Butler or Don Messick, Stang only voiced one major character for the studio during his lifetime. That was, of course, the most effectual Top Cat. That's not to say he didn't voice other cartoon characters during his long career, but ol' T.C. was easily the most remembered of the bunch. Even though his voice-over career isn't as discussed as much as his contemporaries, Arnold Stang gave a performance that cemented Top Cat as one of HB's most classic characters. His voice work was so good, that just seeing an image of Top Cat is enough for you to start hearing his voice. That is why today, I thought I'd share two articles from two different points in time where Stang gave his voice to this indisputable leader of the gang. This first one, appearing in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, dates back to July 23rd, 1961, two months before the series began airing. Here, Arnold gives readers a sneak peek at what Top Cat had in store for them, and a look back at his animation career thus far.

Arnold Stang Tries Out New Voice for "Top Cat" Series

By Jack Gaver

NEW YORK, July 22 (UPI).

    

    THE USUAL QUESTION, "Are you a man or a mouse?" won't do for Arnold Stang.

    In his case, you have to ask, "Are you man, cat or mouse?" And he just might have trouble giving a snap answer.

    "The complication in the career of the slight, begoggled performer rises from the fact that besides being constantly employed as comedian Arnold Stang, in person, he is now prominent in the animated cartoon field.

    Stang has been the voice for "Herman the Mouse," a series of filmed shorts widely used in theaters and on television programs, and now he has the important assignment of voicing the title role in "Top Cat," a half-hour weekly animated series made especially for ABC-TV for a fall entry.

    "Actually, I received no billing for the 'Herman the Mouse' series," Stang Said. "and now, of course, I'll make no more of them. However, everyone who saw one of those shorts knew right away I did them. On account of the voice. They recognized it.

    "But I'm not using the 'Stang voice' for the 'Top Cat' series. I won't sound like me. When we first started making them, the question came up as to whether I shouldn't voice the cat in my natural manner. But I talked them out of it. I don't think my natural tone quite fits the character of T.C."

    "Top Cat" is another major cartoon creation by the Hanna-Barbera firm in Hollywood that made a splash this season with "The Flintstones," the first "adult" animation series especially created for television. "Top Cat" is also intended to be a bit above the "kiddie level," with a certain sophistication. T.C. is a big-city vagrant with a leadership quality that binds assorted felines to him. They get involved in stories that might just as well be played by human beings. A policeman will be the only regular human character of the show.

    "Some of the other well-known actors providing voices for the show," Stang said, "are Maurice Gosfield - you know, the Doberman of the old Phil Silvers series; Allen Jenkins, who talks for the cop; Leo de Lyon, who speaks for a beatnik type cat, and Bea Benedaret, who also does one of the voices on 'The Flintstones'.

    "I get a kick out of it. The stories are by some of the best script men on the coast, fellows who write regularly for all of the big series. Also, it doesn't tie me down too much. I'm free to do other TV work or make a picture or do a stage play."

    Cat lovers will want to know whether Stang really likes cats.

    "Well," he replied cautiously, "Let's say I'm very fond of this cat character."

After the original series wrapped up, Arnold Stang wouldn't voice T.C. again until the 1980s, when several projects were commissioned that brought the character back into the public consciousness. One of those projects was 1988's Top Cat and the Beverly Hills, a TV movie that was the first true continuation of the series since it was canceled (other Top Cat appearances before this were relegated to crossovers). In the March 26th edition of The Herald News, Stang discussed both his approach to comedy and show business in a section titled "Rodi's Spotlight."

ARNOLD STANG IS "TOP CAT"

    One of the people mentioned often in those "Whatever became of" queries has been comedian Arnold Stang. For years, he had been quite visible in all media fronts and then he practically disappeared from the major public scene.

    Television some months ago aired "IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD" and there was Stang doing his thing among many other noted comedians. He was introduced to a new young audience. Many could empathize with the man who usually portrayed the underdog, yet who had the delivery and ability to utter a few hilarious and relevant words to win his point.

    Once again on the move, Stang's high-pitched, distinctly nasal voice may now be heard on more than 12 commercials. That nasal tone is very likely the main reason Stang is the voice of TOP CAT, a favorite children's character, who is the star of an entourage consisting of BRAIN, CHOO-CHOO, BENNY the BALL, SPOOK and FANCY. This group of alley cats are the animated stars of "TOP CAT AND THE BEVERLY HILL CATS," airing in this part of the country on Saturday, March 26 from 1-3 p.m. on Channel 5.

    Although Stang enjoys performing for children (his own career began at age nine) and being principally known in the comedy field as a small, yet feisty "giant", his serious nature is what he uses to nurture his brand of comedy.

    "I try to apply the technique of serious acting to comedy," he says, "because I feel that any successful comedy player must have the complete credibility and sympathy of the audience. They've got to care before they laugh." His technique must be working because his tiny frame and often silly seriousness have touched many an audience. That serious side of Stang is the unknown one, And fans find meeting Stang for the first time, that he is quite a distance from the man they've seen on television or films.

    In fact, that famous voice drops a few notes and even manages to sound soft and soothing to his following, yet among show folk his apparent lack of tantrums and ego is well known. Stang has a reputation for being calm when frenzy surrounds him. While others haggle and demand during show rehearsals, Stang can usually be found off to a corner doing a crossword puzzle. He is polite, always on time and never taxing.

    Stang's off-stage persona...that calm relaxed attitude is to him a reflection of his unique position on most shows. "I'm usually called in on a guest star basis. I've worked with practically every star in the business and I've all the excitement without any of the crushing responsibilities. The applause that comes at the end of his show means only one thing to the star...that it's time to start worrying about next week's show. But I just take a bow, walk off...wash up, and go home."

    In the next few weeks, Stang will be starring in "THE ODD COUPLE" in Chicago. In promoting the animated children's special "TOP CAT AND THE BEVERLY HILLS CATS" on CHANNEL 5, he has been guesting on many area radio shows including WOR's JOAN HAMBURG show, where he was interviewed by the noted Arlene Francis.

    Without the neurosis inherent in show business, Stang practically stands alone. While Stang's "TOP CAT" cartoon special does not air during prime time on the network, this star is definitely prime material.