Felix the Cat ran for three seasons on ABC, starting October 2, 1958, and ending December 10, 1961. It was a cartoon about a curious cat who carried a magic bag of tricks, and it tried to do something unusual for its time: it was built around a cliffhanger. Each episode split into two parts, with the first part ending on a cliffhanger resolved after a commercial break. That structure was rare for children’s programming in the late 1950s, and it shows the ambition behind the show.
Jack Mercer voiced Felix, The Professor, and Rock Bottom. That casting choice gave the show a distinctive sound, since Mercer played all three major characters. The show also introduced Poindexter, the Professor’s nerdy nephew and Felix’s best friend, and the Master Cylinder, a recurring villain. The Professor’s speech impediment became part of his character, and his catchphrase, “Oh, what’s the use!!!!!!” was a running gag.
The Magic Bag of Tricks
The bag itself was the show’s defining gimmick. It could become anything Felix wanted it to be, and it solved problems across every episode. The bag had two versions during the series’ run. The earlier version used a dot and cross pattern, while the later series used a houndstooth design. The houndstooth bag appeared in episodes that are missing from the marketplace today, making those particular installments difficult to find.
Felix almost always ended an episode laughing, but not always. Some episodes showed him on the losing end without the laughter, or he would say his other signature line, “Righty-o!” before starting to laugh. Those exceptions gave the show a bit of variety in its endings.
The Professor and His Nephew
The Professor was Felix’s archenemy, always trying to seize the Magic Bag of Tricks. He was a mad scientist, very intelligent, yet obsessed. His inventions and disguises failed in every attempt. When Poindexter appeared in an episode, the Professor sometimes became a reluctant ally of Felix, especially when they battled the Master Cylinder together.
Poindexter was a stereotypical scientist. He wore thick Coke-bottle glasses, a lab coat, and a mortarboard. A button on the chest of his lab coat acted as a control for whatever device the plot called for. Despite being the Professor’s nephew, Poindexter was one of Felix’s best friends. The source text cuts off mid-sentence regarding how he referred to Felix, so we cannot confirm the exact phrase he used.
The Cliffhanger Structure
The two-part format was the show’s boldest feature. The first half of each episode ended in a cliffhanger, and the resolution came after a commercial break. That structure demanded attention from young viewers, who had to remember the setup while waiting for the payoff. It was a sophisticated way to keep kids engaged, and it set Felix apart from other cartoons of the time.
The 1995 Revival
A second Felix series, The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat, aired on CBS from 1995 to 1997. That revival kept the same core cast and the magic bag, though it updated the look of the show.
What Survives
Not all of the original Felix episodes are easy to find today. The houndstooth bag design appears in episodes that are missing from the marketplace, which means fans of the show have to hunt through old broadcasts or rare collections to see those installments. The dot and cross pattern is easier to track down.
A Classic With Gaps
Felix the Cat was a classic, but it is not complete. The missing houndstooth episodes mean that a full collection of the series is impossible to assemble. That gap is a disappointment for anyone who wants to see the whole run.
The show was overshadowed by Mickey Mouse at the time, but it held its own as a beloved character. Felix remained a classic, even if he never reached the same heights as Disney’s star.
The Verdict
Felix the Cat deserves its reputation as a classic. Its cliffhanger structure was ahead of its time, and its magic bag gimmick was genuinely clever. Jack Mercer’s performances as the three main characters gave the show a distinct voice, and the relationship between Felix, Poindexter, and the Professor remains engaging.
The missing episodes are a blemish, but they do not erase the quality of the material that survives. This is a show that rewards attention, even decades after it left the air.
“Oh, what’s the use!!!!!!”
That line, spoken by the Professor when he gives up on his schemes, captures the spirit of the show. Felix always finds a way out, and the Professor always fails. It is a simple formula, but it worked for three seasons.
Felix the Cat earns a score of 7.5 out of 10.
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