The Ratties

Created by

Laura Milligan
Mike Wallis

Written by

Laura Milligan
Mike Wallis^[1]

Directed byMike Wallis^[1]

The Ratties

Created by	Laura Milligan Mike Wallis
Written by	Laura Milligan Mike Wallis^[1]
Directed by	Mike Wallis^[1]
Narrated by	Spike Milligan
Theme music composer	Ed Welch
Composer	James Harpen^[1]
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	26
Production
Producer	Mike Wallis^[1]
Camera setup	Single-camera
Production companies	Ratties, Ltd. F-Productions for Central
Original release
Network	ITV
Release	9 November (1988-11-09) – 22 December 1988 (1988-12-22)

The Ratties is a British animated series about a family of six rats who live in the wall of a country house. The rats try to emulate the human family who own the house.

The idea for The Ratties was conceived by Laura Milligan, daughter of comedian Spike Milligan. Laura Milligan and Mike Wallis developed the idea into a series of animated shorts; Wallis served as director and producer. Spike Milligan narrated the series with much of the narration ad libbed.

ITV aired 26 episodes in 1988; each episode is under five minutes in length. The series was repeated by ITV from 1991 to 1994.

The eldest rats in the Ratty family are Uncle Matty and Aunt Hatty (the matron of the family who does all the housework). Tatty is an ambitious rat of the younger generation. The Fatty Brothers are playful and mischievous identical twins. Baby Batty is a child genius.

The Ratties share their home with Spatty, a spider who sometimes gets involved in the Ratties' adventures.

Episodes

No.	Title	Original release date
1	"The Budgie"	1988 (1988)
The audience is introduced to the Ratties and their energetic household. Tatty dresses as a budgerigar, and is adopted by an unsuspecting old woman.
2	"Polo Time"	1988 (1988)
The gang goes to the royal polo match with the hopes of participating in some way.
3	"Rattiecadabra"	1988 (1988)
The whole Ratty family comes together to put on a variety show.
4	"Circus Time"	1988 (1988)
The Ratties put together a circus act.
5	"Glamour Time"	1988 (1988)
Aunt Hatty is unhappy with her appearance. The Ratties bring her to the humans' bathroom to get some make-up.
6	"Gardening Time"	1988 (1988)
The Ratties go outside to do some gardening and other various chores.
7	"Medical Time"	1988 (1988)
The Ratties do some medical practices on each other as First Aiders.
8	"Alpine Time"	1988 (1988)
The Ratty family goes out for a fun day in a winter wonderland.
9	"Sports Time"	1988 (1988)
The Ratties host their own Olympic Games.
10	"Picnic Time"	1988 (1988)
The Ratties go out for a picnic.
11	"Spring Cleaning Time"	1988 (1988)
After playtime, the Ratties start cleaning up—and cause some chaos in the process.
12	"Sailing Time"	1988 (1988)
After taking a bath, the Ratties set sail on an inflatable duck ship, and get involved in a yacht race.
13	"Baby Sitting"	1988 (1988)
The Ratties are entrusted by Aunt Catty to look after her Baby Bummer, who is very energetic.
14	"The Great Escape"	1988 (1988)
The Ratties are ambushed by the cat Old Tom, but they are able to outwit him.
15	"The Fatty Sisters"	1988 (1988)
The Fatty Sisters pay a visit to the Ratties.
16	"Ballet Time"	1988 (1988)
The Ratties receive a package of ballet shoes, which sparks a wild performance.
17	"Spooky Time"	1988 (1988)
Supernatural events start to happy around the Ratties home at night.
18	"Holiday Time"	1988 (1988)
The Ratties visit the seaside.
19	"Jumping Beans"	1988 (1988)
The Ratties eat a plateful of beans that make them jumpy.
20	"Arty Time"	1988 (1988)
The Ratties try some painting and sculpting.
21	"Raving Time"	1988 (1988)
Aunt Hatty has a hard time waking her family from a self-hypnosis sleep.
22	"Cowboy Time"	1988 (1988)
Inspired by their favourite TV show, the Ratties act out a wild western theme.
23	"Aerobics Time"	1988 (1988)
The Ratties have a go at fitness and exercise.
24	"Cooking Time"	1988 (1988)
The Ratties make Uncle Matty a birthday cake.
25	"Camping Time"	1988 (1988)
The Ratties go camping, and find different ways to amuse themselves.
26	"Hawaii Time"	1988 (1988)
The Ratties fly to Hawaii for their holiday.

Episodes

References

External links

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