Log in or create an account to save your favorites, or they'll expire in 4 hours
Crusty (the Cat)
Crusty was one of the original Pizza Time Players and was present at the original store in San Jose, CA. He was described as the "Cat's Meow" in singing and joke telling, and was Chuck E. Cheese's straight man. He was dressed in a baseball uniform with the name "swingers" and the number 13 on the front. His caricature in the 1977 Pizza Time Theatre Program also shows him wearing a baseball hat and mitt1.
The 1977 PTT Program shows a special pizza on the menu titled "Crusty's Vegetarian Delight"1. A few preliminary newspaper advertisements produced for the grand opening of the 1st PTT restaurant featured Crusty - and in some cases featured him alone, however these particular designs were never published2.
Artist Bob Black's original design templates for Crusty, submitted by Atari for copyright purposes3, laid out the basic guidelines for Crusty's character and personality. He was meant to be a creature of misfortune, thus the black fur and unlucky number 13, and was to be the foil to Chuck E. Cheese. His eyes were to be green and beady, with the appearance of apprehension and nervousness (Black even suggested employing flashing lights behind his eyes for added impact). In further describing Crusty, Black's handwritten notes read "Tall, skinny posture, wearing an old baseball jersey and cap. Whiskers drooping. Typical Crusty stance: dejection, an expression of 'nothing ever goes right,' waiting for his next crises to occur. This creature of misfortune has the word 'swingers' for his team's name, the complete opposite of what his lot really is - misfortune!"4
Also during the early character development, Harold Goldbrandsen suggested that Crusty be situated as a contrast character to Chuck E. Cheese. Whereas, Chuck E. was this dimwitted idiot who thought he was the one in charge, but Crusty was revealed to be the one who was really running the show5. Some early skits reveal this situation between the two characters - while Chuck E. is mispronouncing his lines, Crusty purposefully remains silent and lets Chuck E. look foolish.
Crusty appeared in the earliest showtapes that played at the original store. The original skits featured Crusty along with the other 'nitwits' and no special guest. Other tapes featured Crusty with the early guest characters. The original demo reel was entirely voiced by the same person, John Widelock, however later versions of Crusty were voiced by a yet unknown actor (or possibly two)6. Edit: He was voiced by The Original Composer back in 1977-1988, Ed Bogas.
