A great philanthropist and cat lover, friend of kings and princes, lived during the reign of Henry III.  Three times he was Lord Mayor of London and many tales and legends grew up around his name; Sir Richard Whittington.
Our story tells of the arrival in London of the adventurer, Dick Whittington, with his faithful cat, Tommy.  Armed with little more than ambition he sets out to make his fortune.  He meets the beautiful Alice Fitzwarren who pleads with her father to give Dick a job.  Alderman Fitzwarren employs Dick as an apprentice in his general store.
Unfortunately, under the evil influence of the dastardly King Rat, Jack, one of the shop assistants, and a couple of seamen from Fitzwarren’s ship ‘The Saucy Sal’ plant marked money on Dick and he is branded a liar and a thief.  Shunned by all except the loyal Alice, Dick leaves London.
When all seems lost the Good Fairy takes a hand; the bells seem to tell Dick to return to London.  Taking their advice Dick returns to London and joins the crew of ‘The Saucy Sal’.  During the voyage King Rat uses his evil influence again and they are shipwrecked.  After many adventures they find themselves in Morocco where the palace is plagued with rats.  Tommy has a grand time, he chases all the rats out and after a struggle he kills King Rat.  The Sultan is no relieved that he gives Dick and Tommy a large reward.  Dick proves his innocence and returns to London to marry the fair Alice and become Lord Mayor of London for the first time.