The Ratties

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}} {{Use British English|date=October 2016}} {{Infobox television | image = Ratties.JPG | image_alt = | caption = | genre =  | creator = {{Plainlist| * Laura Milligan * Mike Wallis }} | writer = {{Plainlist| * Laura Milligan * Mike Wallis<ref name="Toonhound">{{cite web |url=http://www.toonhound.com/ratties.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030625094628/http://www.toonhound.com/ratties.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 June 2003 |title=''The Ratties'' |last=Diamond |first=Frazer |website=Toonhound |publisher=Frazer Diamond |access-date=2017-03-21}}</ref> }} | director = Mike Wallis<ref name="Toonhound"/> | narrator = Spike Milligan | theme_music_composer = Ed Welch | composer = James Harpen<ref name="Toonhound"/> | country = United Kingdom | language = English | num_seasons = 1 | num_episodes = 26 | list_episodes = | executive_producer = | producer = Mike Wallis<ref name="Toonhound"/> | cinematography = | editor =  | camera = Single-camera | runtime =  | company = {{Plainlist| * Ratties, Ltd. * F-Productions * for Central }} | network = ITV | first_aired = {{Start date|1988|11|9|df=y}} | last_aired = {{End date|1988|12|22|df=y}} }}

'''''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.

==Characters== 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== {{Episode table |total_width= |background=FFD800 |overall= |title= |airdate= |episodes= {{Episode list |Title=The Budgie |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=1 |ShortSummary=The audience is introduced to the Ratties and their energetic household. Tatty dresses as a budgerigar, and is adopted by an unsuspecting old woman. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Polo Time |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=2 |ShortSummary=The gang goes to the royal polo match with the hopes of participating in some way. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Rattiecadabra |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=3 |ShortSummary=The whole Ratty family comes together to put on a variety show. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Circus Time |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=4 |ShortSummary=The Ratties put together a circus act. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Glamour Time |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=5 |ShortSummary=Aunt Hatty is unhappy with her appearance. The Ratties bring her to the humans' bathroom to get some make-up. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Gardening Time |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=6 |ShortSummary=The Ratties go outside to do some gardening and other various chores. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Medical Time |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=7 |ShortSummary=The Ratties do some medical practices on each other as First Aiders. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Alpine Time |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=8 |ShortSummary=The Ratty family goes out for a fun day in a winter wonderland. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Sports Time |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=9 |ShortSummary=The Ratties host their own Olympic Games. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Picnic Time |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=10 |ShortSummary=The Ratties go out for a picnic. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Spring Cleaning Time |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=11 |ShortSummary=After playtime, the Ratties start cleaning up—and cause some chaos in the process. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Sailing Time |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=12 |ShortSummary=After taking a bath, the Ratties set sail on an inflatable duck ship, and get involved in a yacht race. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Baby Sitting |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=13 |ShortSummary=The Ratties are entrusted by Aunt Catty to look after her Baby Bummer, who is very energetic. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=The Great Escape |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=14 |ShortSummary=The Ratties are ambushed by the cat Old Tom, but they are able to outwit him. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=The Fatty Sisters |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=15 |ShortSummary=The Fatty Sisters pay a visit to the Ratties. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Ballet Time |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=16 |ShortSummary=The Ratties receive a package of ballet shoes, which sparks a wild performance. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Spooky Time |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=17 |ShortSummary=Supernatural events start to happy around the Ratties home at night. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Holiday Time |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=18 |ShortSummary=The Ratties visit the seaside. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Jumping Beans |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=19 |ShortSummary=The Ratties eat a plateful of beans that make them jumpy. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Arty Time |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=20 |ShortSummary=The Ratties try some painting and sculpting. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Raving Time |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=21 |ShortSummary=Aunt Hatty has a hard time waking her family from a self-hypnosis sleep. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Cowboy Time |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=22 |ShortSummary=Inspired by their favourite TV show, the Ratties act out a wild western theme. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Aerobics Time |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=23 |ShortSummary=The Ratties have a go at fitness and exercise. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Cooking Time |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=24 |ShortSummary=The Ratties make Uncle Matty a birthday cake. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Camping Time |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=25 |ShortSummary=The Ratties go camping, and find different ways to amuse themselves. |LineColor=FFD800 }} {{Episode list |Title=Hawaii Time |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988}} |EpisodeNumber=26 |ShortSummary=The Ratties fly to Hawaii for their holiday. |LineColor=FFD800 }} }}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{IMDb title|tt0421439}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ratties}} Category:1988 British television series debuts Category:1988 British television series endings Category:1980s British children's television series Category:Animated television series about families Category:Animated television series about mice and rats Category:British children's animated comedy television series Category:ITV children's television shows Category:Television series by ITV Studios Category:English-language British television shows Category:Television shows produced by Central Independent Television Category:Television shows set in country houses