Hats and cats

[4400]

What's the meaning of the expression "hats and cats"? It appears on the movie "High Society" from the 50's. The character is about to present Louis Armstrong jazz band.

(Dear gentle folk of Newport, or maybe I should say, "hats and cats"?)

Thank you

 

[Kevin Beach]

The lyrics come from a time when "cats" was a slang term for people (particularly men) who were into new forms of music. It was also a time when women still tended to wear hats.

Maybe "hats and cats" is a way of saying "ladies and gentlemen".