As much as I enjoy classic TV shows like Batman, I love classic movies more. I’ve always been especially intrigued by the silent comedians from the early days of cinema. Well, today’s episode of Batman shows us that one of Gotham’s ultimate criminals also has an interest in silent movies. The Riddler, played by Frank Gorshin, makes his fourth and final appearance of season one in today’s episode, Death in Slow Motion. Continue reading Batman S:01 E:31
When we last left Gotham City, Robin had been tied to the clapper of a giant bell inside the Wayne Memorial Clock Tower by the sinister Bookworm. Things seem hopeless since Batman is headed off to find the villain in the opposite direction! Let’s see what happens in part two of our story, While Gotham City Burns. Continue reading Batman S:01 E:30
Episode Title: The Bookworm Turns
Original Airdate: April 20, 1966
There are movie people and then there are book people. I am definitely a movie guy, but my wife likes to fill her free time with books. She’s one of those people who has trouble enjoying certain films because they differ so much from the original book version. I have a feeling that’s the sort of person our villain in today’s episode of Batman is. It’s a character created for this series and portrayed by one of the biggest names to be credited as “Guest Villain.” Before he was Cornelius of the Planet of the Apes, Roddy McDowall showed up in Gotham as the Bookworm in today’s episode, The Bookworm Turns. Continue reading Batman S:01 E:29
Episode Title: The Pharaoh’s in a Rut
Original Airdate: April 14, 1966
When we last left Gotham City, Bruce Wayne had been kidnapped by the evil King Tut and is now strapped to gurney in the back of an ambulance. However the clever millionaire manages to wiggle enough that he knocks the back door of the vehicle open. Now, he’s rolling down the mountain road…straight for a cliff. What will he do? Let’s find out in part 2…The Pharaoh’s in a Rut. Continue reading Batman S:01 E:28
Episode Title: The Curse of Tut
Original Airdate: April 13, 1966
I have two big memories from the year 1977, when I was six years old. First, of course, was going to see Star Wars. Second was seeing the Treasures of Tutankhamun at the Field Museum in Chicago. The King Tut exhibit was a cultural phenomenon in its own right. Millions of people lined up to see the exhibit. In fact, the first time my parents and I went to go see the exhibit we had to turn back because the line was out the front door of the museum and down the block. I even had a T-Shirt with a picture of the famous gold Tut mask that said “Tut Nut.” It turns out, though, that a decade before King Tut took over Chicago, he tried to take over Gotham City in today’s episode of Batman…The Curse of Tut. Continue reading Batman S:01 E:27
Episode Title: Batman Sets the Pace
Original Airdate: April 7, 1966
If you recall, when we last left Gotham city, Batman and Robin had been captured by the Joker and locked inside a smoke stack which is slowly starting to fill with deadly gas. The space is too narrow for our heroes to use their bat ropes. How will they escape? Let’s find out in this week’s episode, Batman Sets the Pace. Continue reading Batman S:01 E:26
One thing’s for sure when it comes to this classic Batman series, no matter how many times the Caped Crusades put the Joker away it won’t be long until the Clown Prince of Crime breaks out and strikes again. This time Batman’s arch nemesis begins a series of crimes that seem as ridiculous as the villain himself. Cesar Romero returns as the Joker, moustache and all, in today’s episode The Joker Trumps an Ace. Continue reading Batman S:01 E:25
Episode Title: Give ‘em the Axe
Original Airdate: March 31, 1966
When we last left Gotham City, the Riddler had successfully snatched a rare book on ancient Incan treasures from the central library. Unfortunately when our heroes tried to nab the goons at a wax museum, the villains got the jump on them. Now, Batman and Robin hang above a vat of hot wax, about to be dipped and turned into human candles. Will they survive? Let’s find out in today’s episode Give ‘em the Axe. Continue reading Batman S:01 E:24
Episode Title: The Ring of Wax
Original Airdate: March 30, 1966
I’ve mentioned before how the Riddler was not one of Gotham’s A-list villains when the Batman TV series debuted. However, the producers of the show saw the great potential in this character. In the first season he showed up more times than any other member of the rogues gallery, with 4 stories (8 episodes). This week brings us the start of his third appearance with the creepily titled episode The Ring of Wax. Continue reading Batman S:01 E:23
Episode Title: Not Yet, He Ain’t
Original Airdate: March 24, 1966
If you recall, when we last left the Caped Crusaders they had been nabbed by the Penguin and are now unconscious and strung up behind a carnival shooting gallery. What’s worse is that Commissioner Gordon and Chief O’Hara are about to unwittingly fire the shots that will take out our heroes. Let’s see what happens in this week’s episode Not Yet, He Ain’t. Continue reading Batman S:01 E:22
Channel: Superhero 