Original Air Date: April 6, 1966
Starring: Patty Duke, William Schallert, Jean Byron, Paul O’Keefe
Directed by: Harry Falk

Synopsis: An enterprising neighborhood kid (Clint Howard) sells three kittens to Patty (Patty Duke) and Ross (Paul O’Keefe) who hope they can turn a profit by selling them to someone else.  Eventually the kittens become “lost” and “found” by different members of the family.

Cat Burglars (Scene Stealers): The kittens in question are three adorable cats (they appear to be at least part Abyssinian) who steal absolutely every scene they are in.

A lot of the humor in this episode is derived from the attempts of various family members to hide the kittens so that Martin (William Schallert) doesn’t find them.  Patty and Ross hide the kittens in their sweaters when Martin enters the kitchen unexpectedly.  Cathy (Patty Duke) resorts to hiding a kitten in Martin’s coat pocket in the closet.  And Natalie (Jean Byron) first hides her kitten in Martin’s desk drawer and then in the pantry.

The kittens are all very good natured during this forced game of hide-and-go-seek.  Eventually the family (including Martin, who finds a kitten of his own) agrees they want a kitten but can’t agree on which one to keep, each making the point for their own kitten.  The family does eventually settle on one but sadly he doesn’t appear in any future episodes.

Final Mewsings: It’s a shame to hide cats, even for humorous purposes.

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