Feline Fugitive is the first part of the first episode of the series Heathcliff and Dingbat. This is based on the Heathcliff, rather than Dingbat. It is followed by second part of the first episode: Doggone Dogcatcher.
Synopsis[]
In order to gain the leadership of the neighborhood's position, Spike frames Heathcliff of stealing fish from a local fish mart.
Plot[]
The episode starts with Heathcliff kicking several trash cans and complaining that the trash bins are filled with trash. As he looks for fish, he is being spied by Spike, who is hiding in another trash can and wishes to take over the neighborhood. He uses an aroma of anchovies to lure Heathcliff. Spike comes out with a bat for Heathcliff, who regains to his senses just when Spike is about to hit him. Heathcliff stomps on the bin Spike was in, which breaks the ambush. Spike gets furious at the cat, so he develops a plan. At Mr. Schultz's Fish Mart, a police officer exclaims "Who is dumb enough to rob on day light?", as it turns out that Spike disguised himself to resemble Heathcliff. The law enforcer tries to chase the fugitive Spike, but the perpetrator drops fish on purpose for the officer to cause him slip. Spike runs to his doghouse and takes off the disguise, then he takes a nap.
Heathcliff is taken in the police station by the officers in a wireless car. Heathcliff is investagated at the station by the commander. Heathcliff claims to have been home all day. The commissioned officer cop does not believe his story, despite Heathcliff does his best to prove he has innocence written on him. The commissioned officer thinks its unlikely., Heathcliff kisses the cop to prove he is an innocent loving housecat, but the law enforcer remains not convinced, Heathcliff attempts to make them think about his family in a thought bubble that Sonja is shown as his wife and they had three children. As Heathcliff weeps, the cop doesn't believe he has a family and even if he did it would be doing a big favor for them, Heathcliff gets taken to a jail cell by a lower-ranked cop. After some thinking in his time at jail, he believes that Spike is involved in this ruckus. After short moment, he shakes the window cell in anger to the point it collapses, so Heathcliff can escape, and he says about how they don't make jail cells like they used to.
Heathcliff goes after Spike for some answers, Spike claims the turf is his now, to prove who is tougher Spike challenges Heathcliff by chewing up a fire hydrant and spitting out into pieces. Heathcliff shallows it and chews it and when he spat it out, fire hydrant is back to together, Spike refuses to confess and leaves the scene.
Spike decides to hide out to a department store to figure out how to wipe out Heathcliff. he heads in the elevator and goes to the top floor, Heathcliff follows behind in the store, he tampers with the elevator control messing causing Spike's elevator to go into the sky. Spike walks out the elevator to find out that he in the air, as soon he does the bulldog suddenly falls down landing down a tube and out from the end, with his skin being exposed being launched through the ground hard to the point it created fire. Heathcliff is near the entrance of the junkyard with Spike coming by. Heathcliff then use fire extinguisher to extinguish Spike's burn, after that Spike comes to realization to stops being mild-mannered and chases Heathcliff in a car, the bulldog then drives to him which unfortunately for him, Heathcliff activated the ramp to the junk crusher control leading the being compressed into a block of scrap, Heathcliff ask if Spike is ready to confess to the police or go through the process again, Spike goes crazy, but still refuses, he decides to goes to place where Heathcliff wouldn't go, Heathcliff sees Spike has snapped, but he still not clear from accusation of police, Heathcliff decides to turn himself in.
About to turn himself to the police station. but the chief has told Heathcliff that he has Heathcliff the cat burglar is back behind bars, confused as Heathcliff was, it turns out Spike is in Heathcliff clothing and he turned himself as Spike cackles and exclaims he found his cell makes him safe from the orange tabby cat for twenty years, Heathcliff says he is not safe until he meets his cousin the Jailer who twice as tough as him as he giggles as the episode ends.
Characters[]
- Heathcliff
- Spike
- Police Officers
- Chief
- Sonja (imagination only)
- Judge
- The Jailer (mentioned)
Trivia[]
- This episode is the series premiere and first episode of Heathcliff and Dingbat.
- The first appearance of Heathcliff and Spike in the series.
- The first Heathcliff episode to be directed by Ruby-Spears Productions.
- This is the first time Mel Blanc provided the voice of Heathcliff.
- Depsite the fish mart being present, Mr. Schultz is nowhere to be seen when Spike steals tuna from the fish mart.
- Heathcliff explains his cousin is a Jailer, it is assumed that he has a cousin that works in the prison.
- This episode seems to be a parody of police brutality in the United States, which used to be a common issue back in the 1980s. It is clearly visible in the scene the officer is interrogating him and Heathcliff is tied up.
Memorable Quotes[]
Heathcliff: Boy, I do have a bone to pick with you. Spike: Forget it, jailbird your washed up. this is my turf. Heathcliff: You mangy mutt, don't let me get tough. |
Spike: Now this is tough! Heathcliff: Mere puppy play, I'll show you tough. Spike: I ain't confessing to nothing, cat!! |