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BATMAN |
Series Overview
Batman/Bruce Wayne – Adam West Robin/Dick Grayson - Burt Ward Alfred - Alan Napier Commissioner Gordon - Neil Hamilton The Penguin - Burgess Meredith The Joker - Cesar Romero The Riddler - Frank Gorshin Catwoman - Julie Newmar 
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Series OverviewBATMAN is very much a product of its time - the swinging 60s. It is bright, brash, gaudy, shallow, out for a good time and probably best watched under the influence of something less than legal. There are two ways to see the series and plenty of evidence to support both viewpoints. The first is as an arch, tongue in cheek romp, deliciously overplayed by a parade of guest actors revelling in the licence to just go nuts. The likes of Cesar Romero, Burgess Meredith, Julie Newmar and Frank Gorshin make memorable villains, often defining the characters to the detriment of those that attempt to follow. Their wildness is balanced by Adam West and Burt Ward as the Dynamic Duo, both playing their roles in deadly earnest, uttering the most ridiculous lines as though they were the wisdom of the ages. They are the anchor that holds the show in place whilst their co-stars rattle around all over the place. The second viewpoint is that this is just a pile of badly written, badly acted tosh that isn't worth the time it takes to pass in front of the eyes. Whichever viewpoint you ascribe yourself to, there are certain things that are undeniable. The Bat costumes are awful. The Batmobile is a wonder of styling and class. The direction is daring, using canted camera angles and all kinds of tricks to infuse energy into the proceedings. In the end, BATMAN is what it is. The kids will always love it and it is up to the adults that come across it as to whether it is wonderfully arch or woefully awful. Top Hey Diddle RiddleA prank at the World Fair in Gotham City alerts Batman to the presence of arch enemy The Riddler. A succession of typically anarchic clues leads the dynamic duo to an art gallery where Batman is tricked into a false arrest and a lawsuit that is really an invitation to a nightclub where he gets drugged by Molly, allowing Robin to be kidnapped. Bright, colourful, cheerful, nonsensical. All of these words describe the opening episode in this comedy version of the adventures of Batman. Nothing here is to be taken seriously as nothing here is taken seriously. The script is ridiculous, the acting is ridiculous, the decor is ridiculous. And it all works. We especially liked the adhesive bathook, for hanging up metal bars. Adam West and Burt Ward play it admirably straight as the superheroes saddled with the most ridiculous dialogue and outfits whilst Frank Gorshin chews up the scenery as the believably mental Riddler. Jill St John makes quite an impression as the girl who gets Batman to dance and that is a scene that will long haunt the memory. It's truly hilarious. Anyone wanting a serious superhero story needs to stay well away, but for family fun, this could be truly awful, in a good way. Guest Villain is Frank Gorshin as The RiddlerWritten by Lorenzo Semple Junior Directed by Robert Butler Top Smack In the MiddleThe Riddler continues to run rings around Batman. The clues he gives to the caped crusader allows Batman to save his young ward, but it is really Molly in disguise. Rumbled, she attempts to escape but falls into the Batmobile's nuclear power plant. Reunited, the dynamic duo face off against the Riddler back where it all began, at the World's Fair. The death of Jill St John's Molly is a suprising moment and rather puts a downer on the rest of the brightly-coloured nonsense. The idea of covering up the comic book action (sadly silly rather than exciting) with large comic book balloons of things like THWOCK!! and KAPOW is inspired. As is Batman ability to drive and burn off the firing pin of a pistol with a secret laser beam all at the same time. Utter nonsense, but delirious nonetheless. Guest Villain is Frank Gorshin as The RiddlerWritten by Lorenzo Semple Junior Directed by Robert Butler Top Fine Feathered FinksWhen a crowd of umbrellas goes mad in a jewellery store, it is clear that the Penguin was responsible except that nothing was taken. Batman tracks down the villain, but can't figure out what he's up to. When he attempts to plant a bug in the umbrella factory as Bruce Wayne, he is caught and fed into the Penguin's furnace. Can he possibly escape? Burgess Meredith hams it up shamelessly as the Penguin, but without the manically dangerous edge of Frank Gorshin's Riddler. The fact that he doesn't seem to have an evil plot doesn't help either, but the ridiculousness of it all and the sheer joie de vivre keep it bubbling along. Guest Villain is Burgess Meredith as the PenguinWritten by Lorenzo Semple Junior Directed by Robert Butler Top The Penguin's a JinxBruce manages to save himself from fiery death, but the dynamic duo seem no closer to solving the clue of the umbrella left them by the Penguin. The secret transmitter inside the umbrella relays their conversation to the master criminal and gives him the perfect crime and exactly how to carry it out. A movie star is kidnapped and it is up to Batman and Robin to get her back during the exchange, but how when the Penguin can hear their every plan? It seems pointless to complain that the method of escape that Bruce Wayne uses to get away from the Penguin is utterly unbelievable as the whole show is just that. It's about the arch dialogue and the silly performances and there is plenty of both to enjoy. Guest Villain is Burgess Meredith as the PenguinWritten by Lorenzo Semple Junior Directed by Robert Butler Top The Joker Is WildThe Joker springs himself from prison (literally) and sets about stealing a priceless haul of gems. When Batman and Robin foil the robbery, the Joker decides to get rid of the dynamic duo for good, by unmasking them both, live on TV. The Joker and the Riddler always seemed interchangeable to us. One played jokes and the other left riddles, but same difference. Cesar Romero's Joker is suitably unhinged enough to be actually quite scary for kids, but the plot, such as it is, meanders somewhat and certainly seems less well-structured than the first two stories. Guest Villain is Cesar Romero as The JokerWritten by Robert Dozier Directed by Don weis Top Batman is RiledNarrowly escaping having their identities revealed on television, Batman and Robin lose the Joker and a crimewave washes over Gotham City. Only quick thinking and a knowledge of champagne allow the dynamic duo to foil a plot to steal the newly-christened SS Gotham City. There's less vim and vigour in this concluding episode, as if the writers didn't know really what they wanted to do with the story. The climactic fight scene is especially poor, the Joker's stunt double especially quite obviously looking nothing like Cesar Romero. Romero's Joker begins to get a bit one note, but that's because the writers don't give him anything to do except laugh insanely. The crowning moments, though, are the concerns that all have over the prayers of a newsreader's young son. The comments here about this are downright hilarious. Guest Villain is Cesar Romero as The JokerWritten by Robert Dozier Directed by Don weis Top Instant FreezeMr Freeze returns to Gotham to get revenge on Batman who spilled Instant Freeze all over him during a fight and turned him into a man who can only live at -50 degrees. He and his cohorts are stealing big diamonds and his ability to freeze anybody solid is not lost on the Dynamic duo. Following the bright and breezy (not to mention barking) trio of villains to date, George Sanders is positively urbane and positively dull. There are some nice touches, such as the red and blue coloured patches of his house where he and the normal people can live, but on the whole it's a bit of a letdown. That said, the battle between six Batmans, five Mr Freezes and one Robin is something to behold. Guest Villain is George Sanders as Mr FreezeWritten by Max Hodge Directed by Robert Butler Top Rats Like CheeseThawed out from Mr Freeze's rays, Batman and Robin leap back into the fray, but when Batman gives himself up to save the life of a hostage, Robin can only help by disobeying his mentor's strictest instructions. The resolution to this two-parter manages to be a little better than the set up but still remains the least entertaining. The idea that Batman can save the day by wearing thermal underwear almost saves the show, though. Guest Villain is George Sanders as Mr FreezeWritten by Max Hodge Directed by Robert Butler Top Zelda The GreatEvery April 1st a criminal steals exactly $100,000. It turns out to be Zelda the Great, mistress escapologist and a woman in thrall to master trick designer Eivol Ekdal. Batman convinces her that the money that she has stolen is counterfeit and sets up a sting operation for her next theft, but she has other plans and kidnaps Aunt Harriet instead. This is a, by the standards of this show at least, restrained episode mainly thanks to Anne Baxter's Zelda being a less manic enemy than the previous ones. She does prove, however, to be a lot of fun, light and breezy. Her motivation is somewhat different, the need to buy new tricks from Eivol Ekdal (played by Jack Kruschen) and the way she outwits the caped crusaders is delightful. Guest Villain is Anne Baxter as The Great ZeldaWritten by Lorenzo Semple Jr Directed by Robert Butler Top A Death Worse Than FateZelda demands that the police contact her via telephone and Robin reveals that the original money she stole was not fake. The trap maker then lures Batman and Robin into an escape proof cage so that they can work out the trick to escaping, just in time to be shot. This is a very disappointing episode. The television conference is fun enough, but the rest of the story plays out without any action or any laughs. Sadly, it even wastes Anne Baxter who was the best thing about the previous set up. Guest Villain is Anne Baxter as The Great ZeldaWritten by Lorenzo Semple Jr Directed by Robert Butler Top A Riddle A Day Keeps the Riddler AwayKing Boris comes to Gotham City to present the place with a very precious statue. An exploding bunch of flowers heralds the arrival of the Riddler on the scene and the beginning of a scheme that will put the Dynamic Duo in a spin. Frank Gorshin is back as the incredibly lithe Riddler and he worries us for his health as he seems to spend the entire time giggling to the point of bursting a blood vessel. As for the rest, it is the usual entertaining nonsense that is either so arch it's brilliant or so rubbish it's great. Take your pick. Guest Villain is Frank Gorshin as The RiddlerWritten by Fred De Gorter Directed by Tom Gries Top When the Rat's Away, the Mice Will PlayThinking that Batman and Robin have been spun to death, The Riddler issues the city with a demand for 1 million dollars. Bruce Wayne is on hand to loan the city the money, but is rather surprised when Batman shows up to help set the trap. The use of an imposter pretending to be Batman is clever and shows up the weaknesses of hiding behind masks. That apart, the conclusion to this two part tale is fairly conventional (by Batman standards that is). Guest Villain is Frank Gorshin as The RiddlerWritten by Fred De Gorter Directed by Tom Gries Top The Thirteenth HatSomeone is kidnapping people and their hats from all over Gotham City. The main suspect is the Mad Hatter, a criminal that Batman once put away. His plan is to trap Batman in plaster and steal his mask. The Mad Hatter is a very curious villain indeed. Too much like the Penguin for comfort (although David Wayne can't match Burgess Meredith), his only trick is a hat with a hypnotising gizmo in it. It's a good thing that the show is only half an hour long or this might have gotten a bit repetitive. Guest Villain is David Wayne as The Mad HatterWritten by Charles Hoffman Directed by Norman Foster Top Batman Stands PatAfter escaping from the quick drying plaster, Batman figures out that the Mad Hatter is kidnapping all of the jury that convicted him and the one remaining juror is the key to tracking down the criminal. After Batman emerges from the plaster saying that he merely held his breath (that's got to be the world record for breath-holding) it seems clear that this episode of the show is going to be disappointing and so it turns out. It takes him so long to figure out a clue about the number 13 and juries that the audience feel like throwing stuff at him and his attempt to bug the thirteenth hat is a dismal failure. All in all, this is easily the least of the show so far. Guest Villain is David Wayne as The Mad HatterWritten by Charles Hoffman Directed by Norman Foster Top The Joker Goes to SchoolVending machines at the High School start handing out large amounts of cash instead of drinks and candy. It's a merry jape of the Joker's designed to cause the kids to drop out and become easy game for moving into a life of crime. Batman moves in to track him down, but another modified machine traps the dynamic duo and puts them out with sleeping gas. Cesar Romero is back as the Joker and ends the run of pallid, second rate villains. The plot in hand is also a more ingenious one than we've had for a while. Guest Villain is Cesar Romero as The JokerWritten by Lorenzo Semple Jr Directed by Murray Golden Top He Meets His Match, the Grisly GhoulThe Joker's deadly fruit machine fails to kill the dynamic duo thanks to a timely power cut. They manage to identify one of the Joker's gang and attempt to infiltrate the operation. The highlight of this episode is Dick Grayson's attempt to make his way into the gang by pretending to be a low life. All black leather and attitude, it's absolutely hilarious and impossible to say whether it's bad because of Dick Grayson the character or Burt Ward the actor. None of the rest of the episode can stand up to this high moment. Guest Villain is Cesar Romero as The JokerWritten by Lorenzo Semple Jr Directed by Murray Golden Top True or False-FaceFalse-face is a master of disguise who can appear to be anyone within seconds, but whose real face is forever hidden behind a mask. He plans a crimewave using his power and switches a crown with a duplicate, but one of his gang, a woman, is turned by Batman's charms and gives information that leads the Dynamic duo into a trap. False-face is one of the least interesting of villains to date. His ability to mimic anyone has its moments of fun, but there is surprisingly little fun in the rest of the episode. Guest Villain is ? as False-FaceWritten by Stephen Kandel Directed by William A Graham Top Super Rat RaceEscaping death on the train tracks, Batman and Robin use information left by criminal turncoat Blaze to intercept his next caper and a chase leads them into the heart of a derelict studio lot. The resolution proves to be a lot more fun than the set up thanks to the chase through the studio lot in which Batman uses the ultimate diversion - an inflatable batmobile decoy complete with stand up Robin. Guest Villain is ? as False-FaceWritten by Stephen Kandel Directed by William A Graham Top The Purr-fect CrimeA fabulous golden egyptian cat statue is stolen from the Gotham City Art Museum. Clearly the work of Catwoman, the cat's twin is in an exhibition hall for one more night. Batman and Robin use the statue to track down the feline felon's lair, but she has several surprises in store for them. Catwoman, as personified by Julie Newmar, is a superbly wonderful villainess - full of style and grace, beautiful and sexy and with all the traits of her animalistic totem. She even likes to play with her prey before the kill, leaving Batman to face one of her more deadly cat cousins. The twist of having hackneyed deadly plots (walls closing in for heaven's sake) turn out to be merely jokes is inspired and Batman's road safety pep talk is wonderful. Guest Villain is Julie Newmar as CatwomanWritten by Stanley Ralph Ross & Lee Orgel Directed by James Sheldon Top Better Luck Next TimeBatman escapes Catwoman's pet tiger only to find Robin hanging over a pit full of other ones. The beautiful cat gets away, but traces of radiation lead the dynamic duo to the cave where she has discovered the lost treasure of a pirate captain. She tries to escape, but gets caught in a position where she will have to give up the cash or die. The resolution to the story starts off with a low point as Batman dances with the tiger. It's a real tiger, but it never once looks like its dangerous to the handler in the batsuit. It really is just a big pussycat playing. Things gets better, however, with the Catwoman hanging by her claws over a bottomless pit whilst Batman urges her to drop the bag of cash that is dragging her towards her doom. It's a fine psychological moment and one that was later used in the movie INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE. Guest Villain is Julie Newmar as CatwomanWritten by Stanley Ralph Ross & Lee Orgel Directed by James Sheldon Top The Penguin's Goes StraightA robbery in a theatre is prevented by none less than the Penguin. He then goes on to prevent the kidnapping of a multi-millionaire. It seems that he has gone straight and is now using his criminal experience as a security expert. Except, of course, that he sets up the dynamic duo to look like thieves themselves and then lures them into a fairground trap. Burgess Meredith is back as the Penguin and it seems that the writers are inspired by the bigger and better known criminals because this is one of the more original and better plotted stories to date. The initial concept of the Penguin acting as a security consultant is inspired and his setting up of Batman and Robin as thieves is nothing short of brilliant. The actor is clearly having a whale of a time and the villains are certainly a whole lot more fun than the stuffy Batman and Robin. It does have to be said that the sequence with Batman using his dancing shadow to inspire terror in a crook is embarrassing enough to induce cringes all around. The episode climax is also one of genuine drama and cleverness. We have rarely been more determined to tune into the same bat channel at the same bat time to find out how they're going to get out of this one. Guest Villain is Burgess Meredith as the PenguinWritten by Lorenzo Semple Junior Directed by Robert Butler Top Not Yet He Ain'tThe Dynamic duo escape from the Penguin's evil trap (thanks to bulletproof soles on their shoes), but are gunned down by the police whilst trying to escape. The Penguin takes the Batmobile, allowing Batman to eavesdrop on his plans. Once the plan is revealed, the Caped Crusader comes out of hiding once again to take down the feathered felon. More ingenuity marks the conclusion to this story. The idea of Batman and Robin actually being shot down is shocking, even if their turning mad is somewhat overdone. That it turns out to be a clever ploy to use the Batmobile to trap the Penguin is smart plotting indeed. The Penguin's big scheme is to get a society dame to marry him and then run away with all the super-expensive presents, which seems a bit small beer until the presents start to include things like oil well rights. Burgess Meredith again proves to be worth his weight in sardines as the Penguin, his performance suitably idiosyncratic right down to his waddle and his birdlike laugh. He is certainly one of the more memorable villains. Guest Villain is Burgess Meredith as the PenguinWritten by Lorenzo Semple Junior Directed by Robert Butler Top The Ring of WaxWhen a wax figure of Batman is switched with one of the Riddler, it is clear that the green-clad japester is back. His plan is to steal a book from the library vault using a wax that can eat through any material when heated. The book tells of the location of hidden Inca Treasure. He manages to capture the Dynamic Duo and they are last seen about to be dipped in boiling wax. The Riddler is our favourite villain. Frank Gorshin gives another utterly demented performance as the supple-limbed criminal that anchors the nonsense whilst the rest of the cast play it admirably straight. The plot is a little akin to that of the Catwoman outing (The Purr-fect Crime... and Better Luck Next Time) with the cats being replaced by a book as the source of information about hidden treasure, but none of that really matters. It's bright, it's gaudy, it's mental. It's BATMAN and we love it. Guest Villain is Frank Gorshin as The RiddlerWritten by Jack Paritz and Bob Rodgers Directed by James B Clark Top Give 'Em the AxeBatman and Robin manage to escape the Riddler's deadly trap through ingenious use of a shiny belt buckle. The Riddler leaves the Commissioner a riddle as to where he is going next - The Gotham Museum where a priceless Incan Mummy is on display. Inside the Sarcophagus lies the hidden Incan treasure. Batman is forced to send Robin in first, but the Boy Wonder is taken prisoner. The manner of the Dynamic Duo's escape is utterly nonsensical, even by this show's standards. Still, if reality was the aim of the show we'd have stopped watchingages ago. Once again, Frank Gorshin is the real star and you can't but help have the slightest wish that he might win. Guest Villain is Frank Gorshin as The RiddlerWritten by Jack Paritz and Bob Rodgers Directed by James B Clark Top The Joker Trumps an AceA hole is stolen from a golf course. A hairpin is stolen from the rich patrons of a fur store. It's the work of the Joker and the clues lead the Dynamic Duo to a golf-playing Maharajah, but it turns out to be a trap, of course. A trap that Batman can't think of a way out of without help and there's nobody around to provide that. We've been here before and the shine is beginning to wear off the series as the repetitive nature of the plots and even some of the dialogue begins to become evident. There's only so many ways for the Commisioner to say 'Only Batman can help us now' and the use of stock footage of the Batmobile exiting the Batcave and arriving at police HQ is starting to get tiresome. Fortunately we have Cesar Romero enjoying himself hugely as the Joker and the trap that is laid for Batman and the Boy Wonder at least shows some originality and ingenuity. How will they get out that? We still need to be there to find out, though perhaps not quite as strongly as before. Guest Villain is Cesar Romero as The JokerWritten by Francis & Marion Cockrell Directed by Richard C Sarafian Top Batman Sets the PaceThe Dynamic duo manage to escape from the Joker's gas trap and set out tracking down the criminal's new lair. This they manage, trapping his gang, but the Joker gets away with the Maharajah. The prisoner then makes a deal with his captor for a ransom to be paid, a ransom that Batman will be required to countersign, this making him party to a criminal act, something that will shatter his self-image. Can Batman avert this latest, most insidious plot? The initial escape from the gas is both ingenious and very simple. The Joker's plot also manages to be a lot more interesting than first appears, which is just as well. There isn't much of the Joker in this second half of the story and it misses Cesar Romero's presence. Guest Villain is Cesar Romero as The JokerWritten by Francis & Marion Cockrell Directed by Richard C Sarafian Top The Curse of TutKing Tut, a history professor who was injured in a student riot and woke up thinking himself to be the reincarnated emperor Tut of ancient Thebes (I kid you not - Batman reveals all this) drops a fake Sphinx into Gotham's Central Park in order to announce his resurrection. It's all a fiendish plot to kidnap millionaire Bruce Wayne, however, which causes problems for Batman's alter ego. Victor Buono's King Tut comes across at first as a buffoon of a comedy villain, but his plot is ingenious and he has the good taste to surround himself with a bevy of beautiful babes, not least of which is the delightful Ziva Rodann as his Nefertiti, a modern woman who prefers hot dogs to nectar. As for the rest of the plot, well that's par for the course BATMAN. The swordfighting scene is, however, hysterical (though we're not saying deliberately). Guest Villain is Victor Buono as King TutWritten by Robert C Dennis & Earl Barret Directed by Charles R Rondeau Top Pharaoh's in a RutBruce Wayne manages to avoid plunging over a cliff and then hatches a plan to get himself kidnapped again, this time as Batman. Tut subjects him and the smitten Nefertiti to an ancient Egyptian pebble torture before then stealing the Batmobile. The second episode of this story is a messy affair, mainly because of the number of ideas that the writers want to get into the half hour. The cliff escape, the kidnapping, the pebble torture, the inevitable fight with the goons and the Batmobile theft all mash together. That means there's not enough time for Nefertiti (who was the best thing in the last episode), but there is the undoubted highlight of Batman doing a dance for King Tut. His moves clearly haven't improved since Hey Diddle Riddle.... Guest Villain is Victor Buono as King TutWritten by Robert C Dennis & Earl Barret Directed by Charles R Rondeau Top The Bookworm TurnsThe Bookworm is spotted on a bridge that is being opened just before Commissioner Gordon is shockingly killed. Batman and Robin rush to police headquarters to find the Commissioner alive. It was all a hoax to lure Batman to a point where he can capture one of the Bookworm's associates and get passed false information. He doesn't fall for it this time, though and gets the truth from the girl under drugs, but she outwits Robin, leaving him tied to a bell clapper that will slap him to death against the bell at midnight, less than a minute away. The Bookworm is a strange sort of villain. Nerds don't really make for effective villains, but one moment of barely restrained violence and a very thoughtful series of crimes make him one of the more interesting ones, not least because he is played by the youthful and unpredictable Roddy McDowall. Even more striking, however, is the red catsuited Francine York whose charms are enhanced by the outfit and far too much for the Boy Wonder. The death of Commissioner Gordon is unexpected and truly shocking, but the script deftly gets out of that and goes on to provide plenty of fun. Guest Villain is Roddy McDowell as the BookwormWritten by Rik Vollaerts Directed by Larry Peerce Top Whilst Gotham City BurnsManaging to save Robin in the nick of time with a handy attack of science, Batman is lured into a trap in the shape of a giant cookery book. Thinking the dynamic duo have finally been thwarted, the Bookworm launches his dastardly crime - using the batmobile's laser to blast into the vault containing the greatest collection of rare books in all Gotham City. The second part of this story is something of a letdown after the intial half. The giant book is a nifty gimmick, but stealing the Batmobile is turning out to be a favourite pastime for all of the villains in the show. Batman's rescue of Robin is an inventive use of electricity and magnetism, but the rest of the plot is purely perfunctory. Guest Villain is Roddy McDowell as the BookwormWritten by Rik Vollaerts Directed by Larry Peerce Top Death in Slow MotionThe Riddler goes on a spree of small beer crimes across the city, filming each one of them as though it were a silent movie. For his greatest scene, he straps Robin to a conveyor belt heading straight for a circular saw. Hurrah, Frank Gorshin's back as the Riddler. The moment his demented crime lord appears on the screen a good time is assured. And what an entrance he makes, doing a very creditable Charlie Chaplin impersonation to steal $200. Also making an impact on proceedings is the very shapely (and not overly encumbered by clothes) Sherry Jackson as Pauline, his latest squeeze. As for the plot, well it's completely oddball and inexplicable and that makes it all the more interesting. What, exactly, is the Riddler up to? Guest Villain is Frank Gorshin as The RiddlerWritten by Dick Carr Directed by Charles R Rondeau Top The Riddler's False NotionBatman fails to save Robin, but all is not as it seems. The Riddler springs his big plan, robbing the man who hired him to make a silent film starring Batman, but the dynamic duo are at hand. This will always be known as the episode in which Batman says to Robin 'Your life was saved by dental hygiene'. That just about says it all for the whole series really. If you can take that in the spirit it is (we hope) intended then BATMAN is the show for you. Guest Villain is Frank Gorshin as The RiddlerWritten by Dick Carr Directed by Charles R Rondeau Top Fine Finny FiendsThugs kidnap Alfred the Butler, thugs in the pay of the Penguin. His plan is to brainwash the butler and take the proceeds of the multimillionaire's annual dinner at Wayne Manor. When the dynamic duo get involved, the Penguin manages to trap them in a room from which the air is being slowly sucked. Apart from the pointless (at least to date) inclusion of numerous bathing beauties, this is pretty much the usual stuff. Burgess Meredith's Penguin doesn't have much to do other than scheme away in an abandoned building which limits the fun that there is to be had. This is one of the lesser entries into the series. Guest Villain is Burgess Meredith as the PenguinWritten by Sheldon Stark Directed by Tom Gries Top Batman Makes the ScenesBatman escapes from the vaccuum room with a handy oxygen supply from his utility belt. Knowing that Alfred has been brainwashed, he sets up a sting operation aboard a yacht owned by Wayne Enterprises. A disappointing way to end the season as it is simply a series of pretend events used to fool the Penguin and Burgess Meredith's villain is almost ignored throughout. The series ends on possibly its weakest episode. Guest Villain is Burgess Meredith as the PenguinWritten by Sheldon Stark Directed by Tom Gries Top |
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