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Show The Ca tars on Tv He's a huckster named Morris even dog lovers dig him I A ft ! f it t . . . By SHELDON MIX o, 'rdinary cats ordinarily lead even ordinary lives when they live through the full nine. But there's a plain orange tiger cat named Morris who's an extraordinary exception, partly because of luck, partly because he's not really as ordinary as he looks. His luck turned up five years ago while he and numerous other unwanted cats around Chicago's western suburbs were reluctant residents in a humane society's pound, ticketed for death in the gas chamber. Animal handler Bob Martwick, of suburban Lombard, 111., just happened to need an orange cat as a model for a magazine illustration. He called the nearby pound to learn whether there was any such animal among the unwanted. Told there was, he drove over and claimed an underweight tomcat with a scar over his right eye. Cats are too independent to go along with anyone who wants them to do tricks, but some are willing to act as models. Martwick discovered this cat to be extremely workable. About three years ago, the former orphan won the role of Morris, featured performer in a continuing series of d commercials on television. Now he's famous, the star of tv commercials that cost between $10,000 and $25,000 each to produce, and the valued trademark in multimillion-dolla- r a advertising sell to cat food. brand of a campaign Like any other screen star, Morris has his own canvas chair on set with his name printed on it. And unlike other performers whose tv appearances are restricted to commercials, Morris gets a great deal of fan mail. cat-foo- f4 " f 4. i i i ..." 1 tl i 1 '- C o EV1lorris's role in the commercials calls for him to be a grump. As he often says, "The cat who doesn't act finicky loses control of his owner.' But he's really a lovable grump, and off the set he's not grumpy at all. He's very affectionate. Martwick estimates Morris's age to be eight or nine. The cat is big for his age (about 18 pounds) and strong. His most impressive feature is his head, which is full and forceful. He likes to use it in giving and getting affection. If you're sitting at (Continued on page 12) .... ' Iff 1 n- - i Morris, feline star of tv commercials, poses while studio cameras are adjusted. - 'it ml iff j wwlfep " 20FO.TC3.-- 1 I- r- - -. ...5f .... :.,--;.;.- I 0 , WfiiOiOHii f I 3 'S!"1 . i I I " 1 1 I 1 Is." 1 I V"?!ilM I M I .1 1 I I ? " ' ' ' Sill J tU BALL PHOTO Santa 3 Los Angeles, 90054 San Francisco, 94119 j A X "V f n;Bii'iii) 'VJIU- - , Card Division Dept. 203 B P.O. Box 54084 P.O. Box 7857 Enclosed is my (Please check) Color Negative Slide Color Print (Plus $1.00 additional for new neg.) Black & White Negative Black & White Print (Plus $1.00 add'l for new neg.) BLACK & WHITE 15 for 930 'UlxXW 33 for $1.98 ;f D I am ordering free sample only and enclosing 251 for postage and handling. D I am ordering photo Christmas cards now and enclosing a check or money order which includes 351 for shipping. NAME (Please Print) ADDRESS COLOR 10 for $1.79 20 for $3.50 STATE CITY over ;tv:3 x::sf.z: i r ' : :ta c ZIP i t ' i- i |