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.
Robert Loggia starred as the title character, Thomas Hewitt Edward Cat.
The series was co-sponsored by R. J. Reynolds (Winston) and Lever Brothers and was created by Harry Julian Fink.
Synopsis
<blockquote>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!</blockquote>
The series' hero is a reformed thief who had served a prison term. 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. 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.
Cast
thumb|Loggia and Armstrong
- Robert Loggia as Thomas Hewitt Edward Cat
- R. G. Armstrong as Captain McAllister
- Robert Carricart as Pepe Cordoza
Guest stars included: Chris Alcaide, Barbara Stuart, Steve Ihnat, Robert Duvall, Laura Devon, Yvonne Romain, Sorrell Booke, Diana Muldaur, Linda Cristal, Ted Jordan, Robert Sampson, Simon Scott, Fred Beir and Caesar Romero.
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.