The Cat in the Hat (TV special) The Cat in the Hat (TV special) The Cat in the Hat is an American animated musical television special first aired on CBS on July 4, 1971, based on the 1957 Dr. Seuss children's book of the same name, and produced by DePatie–Freleng Enterprises. With voices by Allan Sherman and prolific vocal performer Daws Butler, this half-hour special is a loose adaptation with added musical sequences. As the story opens, it is too rainy and cold to play outside, so Sally and Conrad sit bored and look out the window. Their mom announces her departure, tells them to have fun,
The Cat in the Hat (TV special) house they visit has a pessimistic fish who "always tries to flatten the fun". Karlos becomes angry and accuses the Cat of not being a real cat, and his hat of not being a real hat. But the Cat indignantly asserts his legitimacy by singing his name in several languages. The tune becomes so catchy that everyone, even Karlos, joins in and contributes, telling the Cat that in Russian he is a "chapka in a shlyapa". (An interesting point to note is that in the Russian portion of the song, the Cat describes himself as a "chapka in a shlyapa",