| Runtime: | 5 minutes |
| Creator: | Kate Canning |
| Narrated: | Sean Arnold Alistair McGowan |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Company: | Grampian Television |
| Language: | English |
| Producer: | Jan Clayton |
| Network: | ITV |
| Num Series: | 2 |
| Num Episodes: | 52 |
James the Cat is a 1984 British animated children's series created by Kate Canning and produced by Jan Clayton with Grampian Television.[1] It chronicles the many events which take place at the Cornerhouse (number 104) between James and his new animal friends. Fellow characters include Mrs. Lavender, a snail; Frieda, a kangaroo; Citroen, a French frog; Rocky, a dimwitted rabbit; and Dennis, a pink fire-breathing Welsh-accented Chinese dragon. There is also a beehive in the garden at the Cornerhouse. Next door are Ma and Pa Rat, and their rat children.[2]
The programme changes quite a bit between the 2 series. In the first, James is a newcomer to the garden at the Cornerhouse, and must learn to live with the other animals there. In the first episode of the second series, James becomes a diplomat (though sometimes he is referred to as a VIP). In subsequent episodes, he and the others travel to distant lands or receive important visitors.
There were two VHS tapes released by Tempo Video.
| VHS Name | Catalogue Number | Release Year | Episodes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James the Cat and Friends | V9005 | 1987 | ||
| Out and About with James the Cat | V9006 | 1987 |
Screen Entertainment also released one VHS tape.
Common Sense Media described the series as "Sophisti-catted tales best for older preschoolers".[3]