Doris

1 9 8 3 – 1 9 8 5 (UK)
40 x 5 minute episodes

Doris was a black and white anthropomorphic cat who got into all manner of scrapes with her bespectacled, Converse-wearing, ginger tom neighbour, Marlon, and her other cat friends, including macho cat Leo, Cavecat, Coolcat, Magicat, Rastacat and Spacecat.

Doris took trips to the moon, met the Queen, floated through the night sky in a giant spoon and tried to improve the romantic prospects of a lonely snowman.

Devised and directed by Hilary Hayton – the creator of Crystal Tipps and Alistair – 40 episodes of Doris (produced by Yorkshire Television) aired over the course of two series as part of the Children’s ITV schedule in 1983 and 1985.

Like Crystal Tipps, the episodes were dialogue-free, and the two shows shared a similar visual aesthetic with cut-out images against patterned backdrops.

The first series of Doris featured animation by Peter Lang (who had created Pigeon Street with Alan Rogers), but Lang had departed by the second series and was replaced by Martin Wansborough.

Providing the soundtrack for Doris was the esteemed composer Derek Wadsworth whilst keyboardist Dave Lawson conjured up the electronic bleeps that acted as the “meows” of Doris and her pals.

Video