Episode Title: The Cat and the Fiddle
Original Airdate: September 15, 1966

When we last left the Caped Crusaders they had been captured by Catwoman and are now strapped to giant barbecue grills cooking under the sun’s rays, enhanced by two giant magnifying glasses. Our heroes are cooking alive! How will they ever escape. Let’s find out in part two of our story, The Cat and the Fiddle.

Just as things are getting a bit too hot to handle, Batman asks Robin what time it is. You see, there is an eclipse of the sun due in 16 seconds. The brief moment of darkness gives them the chance to move the magnifying glasses ever so slightly with their feet (14 degrees to be exact). This is an attempt to burn through the ropes around their wrists, but one degree off and they could burn their hands off. Of course, their calculations are correct and they are freed.

Back at the Batcave, the Dynamic Duo attempt to figure out where Catwoman is headed. They remember her saying something about an assault on Mount Gotham. Problem is, there is no Mount Gotham. They figure she is referring to the city’s man-made mountains (skyscrapers). The biggest is the Gotham State building. So, that’s where our heroes head. At the building, they learn that the wealthy Zubin Zucchini has rented the building’s penthouse for an engagement that day.

Meanwhile, Catwoman’s men are staking out Zucchini’s home. At the same time, Catwoman switches places with a wealthy old woman named Minerva Matthews. It seems that Minerva is due to purchase two precious Stradivarius violins worth millions from Mr. Zucchini. Catwoman aims to get them for herself. However, when Minerva (really Catwoman) meets with Zucchini she is surprised to find that Zucchini is Robin in disguise. Her men quickly subdue Robin, but just as they are about to toss him out the window, Batman arrives. A big fight breaks out with the henchmen as Catwoman attempts to escape on an “getaway rocket.” When the rocket doesn’t work, she attempts to escape via the window ledge and ends up needing to be rescued by our heroes.

There’s a lot of fun to be had with this episode. Right out of the gate we start with the continuation of a really bizarre cliffhanger, but now the resolution is just glorious. An eclipse of the sun, ladies and gentleman. I guess Catwoman was just too wrapped up in all her criminal schemes to have noticed that such a rare event would be happening that day. Surely it was in all the papers. From there the story gets a bit convoluted, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing in this case. Batman explains that the reason Catwoman wants the violins is because of the “catgut.” Remember, in the last episode she stole a bunch of stuff related to the word “cat.” I admit, I had to Google what catgut is (it’s used for instrument strings)…so that was a bit of a stretch for me.

One of the real joys of this episode is Julie Newmar as Catwoman playing an old lady. When we first see her like this, she’s pretty much unrecognizable. But it’s not just a case of putting on some makeup and a frumpy dress. Newmar really lets herself vanish into the part; proving her acting abilities went way beyond slinking around in black catsuits. Not that anyone ever had a problem with that. Also a lot of fun is when Burt Ward has Robin in disguise as Mr. Zucchini. I admit, I was completely caught off guard by this reveal. This may be the first time that the show legitimately surprised me.

The episode has a number of other great touches that made me laugh. First I love Catwoman’s bright purple getaway rocket. Sadly, she’s never able to get it fired up, so it just sits there. There may have been a good reason for that. I fear that the image of Julie Newmar straddling a long purple phalic-shaped object flying through the sky may have been a bit too much for TV censors of the late 60’s to handle. Batman and Robin also get a few classic exchanges. When they first arrive at the Gotham State Building, Batman insists that they put a nickel in the parking meter even though, as Robin points out, nobody is going to give the Batmobile a ticket. Batman explains that the money goes to building better roads and all citizens must do their part. Later, when Catwoman is trying to escape, Robin says, “You can’t get away from Batman that easy!” Batman then informs him that the correct word is “easily.” “Good grammar is essential, Robin.”

One more fun element of this episode is that we begin to see the seeds of the often hinted at romantic sparks between Catwoman and Batman. The two share a Bat Rope near the end of the episode and she even nuzzles his cheek before she is hauled off to jail. But don’t plan on attending any wedding showers just yet. Next week our heroes face an all new villain. Classic movie matinee idol Van Johnson comes to Gotham as The Minstrel in The Minstrel’s Shakedown. Next week…same bat time, same bat channel (superhero).

Bat Gadgets Used:
Bat Jets
Bat Rope

Holys:
Holy Alps
Holy Taxation

Episode Title: The Minstrel’s Shakedown
Original Airdate: September 21, 1966

Throughout its three season run, there were some pretty big stars that showed up on Batman as villains. In our episode today, one time matinee idol Van Johnson shows up as a villain original to the series, the Minstrel. Sadly, not all guest villains resonated with the show’s audience, so these next two episodes mark the only appearance of this villain. Let’s jump in with part one of the story, The Minstrel’s Shakedown.

Our story begins with trouble on the Gotham City Stock Exchange. The stock prices going across the wire have gone nuts. Some are too low, some are too high. Just as the brokers start to wonder what’s up, a mysterious figure calling himself the Minstrel breaks into a local TV station signal. While strumming his lute, he declares that he can put everything right again if all the brokers pay him $1,000 per week. Of course, Batman is called into action.

First, our heroes head to the exchange to check out the transmitter that delivers the stock prices. Of course, they notice the tampering that’s been done by the Minstrel. Obviously the Minstrel is an electronics genius. Our heroes decide to create their own tiny microphone and stakeout the exchange. When they do encounter the Minstrel, he sets off a number of flares which blind the Caped Crusaders and allow him to escape.

Later, the Dynamic Duo use a drone to track down where Minstrel’s TV signal is coming from. They find that he is hiding out in an old warehouse. Of course, they head to the scene and scale the wall with their bat rope. When they burst into the hideout, a fight with the Minstel’s henchmen breaks out. After easily taking care of them, our heroes seek out Minstrel. However, they end up falling into a trap. Next thing we know, they are both tied to a spit…slowly roasting over heat. Cue the cliffhanger narration.

Cliffhanger Narration:
Can this be true???
Is the melodic fiend finally cooking the duo’s goose???
Check the thermometer on your radar grill…
Be here tomorrow.
Same hot time, same hot channel…

This episode ends up being a pretty straightforward one, without a lot of the little moments of craziness that we’ve gotten from several of the other more recent episodes. There’s no goofy situation that our heroes are put into or crazy gadgets. In fact, the coolest gadget that Batman uses in this installment is one that has become pretty commonplace in our 2016 world…a drone. Batman doesn’t even lecture Robin on good citizenship, hygiene, or safety. About the closest thing we get is the first (that I can remember) appearance of the close-up shot of our heroes buckling their seat belts around their waists as they get into the Batmobile. This shows up several more times throughout the series.

Van Johnson is pretty decent as the Minstrel, but the villain doesn’t really have much of a gimmick. He’s not exactly an extreme personality like Joker, or Penguin, or Riddler. He’s an electronics expert who sings little songs and dresses funny. We never really get a good idea of what Minstrel’s M.O. is in this episode. Hopefully we’ll learn more next time. I will say that I did think the little song Minstrel serenades the Caped Crusaders with as we head toward the cliffhanger:

(To the tune of “Rock-a-bye Baby”)
Batman and Robin, rotate and revolve
As the heat grows, your bodies dissolve
When it’s still hotter, then you will melt
Nothing left but your utility belt

One other note about this episode is that it does feature a strange cameo, though not during the sequence where our heroes climb up the wall (as is often the case). While trying to find Minstrel at the stock exchange, Batman and Robin run across a cleaning lady. At first it seems like it could be one of minstrel’s gang…but it’s just the cleaning lady. When Batman approaches her she turns around to reveal she’s played by comedian Phyllis Diller.

But there’s no time for getting caught up in celebrity cameos…our heroes are roasting like a pig at a luau. Oddly enough, this is the second adventure in a row where the cliffhanger involves Batman and Robin being cooked to death. I doubt an solar eclipse will save them this time. Find out what happens next week in Barbecued Batman? Same bat-time, same bat-channel (superhero).

Bat Gadgets Used:
Hidden Microphone
Bat Drone
Giant Lighted Lucite Map of Gotham City
Bat Rope

Holys:
Holy Transistors
Holy Rainbow
Holy Flytrap
Holy Hot Spot

Episode Title: Barbecued Batman?
Original Airdate: September 22, 1966

When we last left Gotham City, Batman and Robin were being roasted alive; spinning on a spit thanks to the Minstrel. The heat is rising and things seem pretty hopeless for our heroes. Whatever will they do? Let’s find out in today’s episode, Barbecued Batman?

As our heroes cook, Minstrel and his men are keeping a close watch…so there is no chance of pulling an escape. But suddenly some explosions go off in the hallway outside. As the villains go to investigate, Batman informs Robin that he left some bat bombs so as to provide a distraction if needed. With the bad guys out in the hall, the Dynamic Duo are able to shake themselves free and then hide in wait. When the baddies return a fight breaks out (probalby the earliest in an episode that we’ve had such a fight). Minstrel and his men make it out, though. That is…all except the lovely Octavia (Leslie Perkins). After she and Batman make goo-goo eyes at each other, the Caped Crusader lets her go. This baffles Robin, until Batman admits that he slipped a tracking device in her purse.

Octavia heads back to the Minstrel’s hideout, but he quickly uncovers the bug Batman left in her purse. Rather than destroy it, Minstrel uses it to tell Batman he is about to launch Plan High C which he claims could bring the whole world down. Minstrel instructs our heroes to return to the stock exchange with Gordon and Chief O’Hara. While at the exchange, there is what appears to be an earthquake. But no other buildings seem to be affected. Batman then theorizes that Minstrel is using the ventilating shafts as resonance chambers to cause the building to shake when he broadcasts a certain frequency. Like how a singer can cause a glass to shatter when hitting the right note. Minstrel then shows up on TV again to once again demand money…or else he starts causing buildings to collapse. The stock brokers think they must give in to the villain…luckily Batman has a plan. They need to re-route the power so Minstrel can’t use his device. However, even that doesn’t seem to work. Good thing Batman is one up on the Minstrel and spots him in disguise at the stock exchange. A fight breaks out once again and the bad guys all get hauled off to prison. In the last moments of the episode, Minstrel swears he will escape. As I mentioned last time, though, this character never showed up on the series again…so he never kept that promise.

This episode is a bit of an improvement over our last one, but it still falters a bit simply because Van Johnson’s Minstrel is just not all that charismatic of a villain. However, I do think this episode does a good job of really raising the stakes in a way that no other episode of this show has done yet. Minstrel’s idea of using sonic waves to cause buildings to shake themselves to the ground is a plan worthy of the great supervillains. This is not revealed to us, though, until the last half of the episode. Introducing it earlier would’ve probably raised the tension a bit…but as is it’s still a fun plot device.

It’s actually a bit strange to see just how seriously this episode is played. The tongue-in-cheek style that we’re used to on this series is pretty much absent in this episode. Only one scene, in which Chief O’Hara starts to think Batman might be in league with the Minstrel and Gordon starts to scold him, comes close to the normal Batman tone. But even this sequence has a much more dramatic slant than what we normally see.

A nice addition to this episode is that we get a bit more out of Minstrel’s female gang member, Octavia, played by Leslie Perkins. She and Adam West have a nice scene together that is steamy in a subtle kind of way. The cherry on top, though, is just when you think that Batman has let a pretty face get the best of him, he coyly reveals that he slipped a tracking device in her purse. What a smoothy.  Strangely, the role of Octavia is listed as “Amanda” in the end credits.

While the two Minstrel episodes have some fun moments, I can’t say that I’m disappointed that we won’t be seeing this character again. In our next episode, though, we see the return of one of my favorite baddies from season one. Victor Buono returns to Gotham as King Tut in The Spell of Tut. Next week…same bat time, same bat channel (superhero)

Bat Gadgets Used:
Bat Bombs
Tracking Device
Directional Beam
Particle Bat Accelerator Units

Holys:
Holy Fireworks
Holy Cosmos
Holy Kilowatts

Episode Title: The Spell of Tut
Original Airdate: September 28, 1966

One of the unexpected highlights of Batman season one was the appearance of Victor Buono as the villainous King Tut. I say “unexpected” because I usually don’t expect as much from the series’ original bad guys as opposed to the more iconic members of Batman’s rogue’s gallery. Tut left a big impression, however. Apparently the producers of the show thought so, too. He was brought back here in season two. We begin with part one of the story, The Spell of Tut.

As the story begins a set of amber beads have been stolen from a wealthy Gotham citizen by a pair of robbers in Egyptian garb. When discovered by the owner, the crooks clunk him on the head with a lead pestlel. It seems pretty obvious that King Tut has returned to Gotham City. Batman and Robin are quickly called into action by Commissioner Gordon. While meeting with Gordon and O’Hara, the Caped Crusaders meet the commissioner’s new, somewhat absent-minded, secretary, Miss Patrick (Marianna Hill). The use of the pestle as a weapon suggests to Batman that they search for an apothecary where Tut may be hiding. They decide to check out the Apex Apothecary Shop, which happens to be in the Pyramid Building.

Meanwhile, Tut’s men have returned with the beads. Inside are ancient scarab beetles that have been long extinct. Tut extracts them from the beads and then uses a strange chamber to shock them back to life…Frankenstein style. At first nothing seems to happen, but with more power comes success! The insects live again! But, Batman and Robin soon arrive after scaling the side of the building. Of course, there is a fight with Tut’s men. They are easily overpowered by the Dynamic Duo, but some sneezing powder allows them to escape with Tut…and the scarabs.

Later, back at the Batcave, Batman realizes that Tut is out to concoct an ancient formula for Abu Rabu Simbu Tu. It requires an ingredient obtained from the scarabs. This concoction could allow Tut to control the minds of the citizens of Gotham. But Batman has a plan to locate Tut. It just so happens that, as Bruce Wayne, he recently purchased the great sphynx statue from the season one Tut episodes. He has Robin hide inside, Trojan horse style. Of course, Tut will try to steal the statue back…then Robin can hear his plans from inside. Unfortunately, Robin is discovered inside the statue and Tut decides to feed him to his crocodiles. Now, the platform is retracting from under the Boy Wonder, with several hungry crocs beneath him. Cue the cliffhanger narration.

Cliffhanger Narration:
Is Robin Doomed?
Those crocodiles look mighty hungry
Was Tut right?
They’d soon be having a tasty dinner?
Or was he merely shedding crocodile tears?
Above all, will Batman arrive before the Boy Wonder’s perch slides away?
Tune in your batsets tomorrow.
Same time.
Same channel.

After our last two episodes with the mediocre Minstrel, having King Tut back is fantastic! Victor Buono is at the top of his game once again, playing Tut with a wonderfully maniacal energy! In the scene where he resurrects the scarabs, Buono gets to channel his inner Victor Frankenstein, and he does so with great gusto. Just hearing him grunt the word “LIVE!” is amazing. Adding to this already colorful villain, though, we also have an exceptional crew of henchmen. Leading them is the great Sid Haig. A fixture of many TV series’ and B-movies, Haig has played some wild characters. From bizarre old horror flicks like Spider Baby to more recent appearances in the films of Quentin Tarantino and Rob Zombie. Haig’s wild-eyed expressions and extreme mannerisms in this episode make him one of the most sinister henchmen we’ve seen on the show yet. I’m not sure who is more over-the-top, Haig or Buono…but both are a treat! Also joining the crew is the latest lovely lady of Gotham, Marianna Hill as Miss Patrick. I guess it’s a bit of a SPOILER to say that Miss Patrick is a part of Tut’s gang. Hill is also a veteran of many classic shows, including Star Trek, Mission: Impossible, and Hogan’s Heroes. She even played opposite Elvis in Paradise Hawaiian Style. She does a great job playing the sexy, but a bit loopy, secretary. It’ll be interesting to see how she factors into part two of this story.

One other highlight of this episode is another window cameo as Batman and Robin climb the side of Tut’s hideout. When the window opens we see the Green Hornet and his faithful helper Kato as played by Van Williams and Bruce Lee. After the success of Batman’s first season, producer William Dozier was able to bring a new series, The Green Hornet, to ABC in the fall of 1966. Unlike Batman, The Green Hornet was not done with a comedic slant…so it’s interesting to see these two crime fighters come together here. It’s also worth noting that this cameo would’ve come only about three weeks after the premier of The Green Hornet.

Considering the mess that Robin is now in, perhaps the Hornet and Kato should’ve stuck around. It doesn’t look like Batman’s going to make it in time. We’ll find out in our next episode, Tut’s Case is Shut. Same bat-time, same bat-channel (superhero).

Bat Gadgets Used:
Bat Radio
Bat Giger Counter

Holys:
Holy Hieroglyphics
Holy Sarcophagus
Holy Frankenstein
Holy Corpusels
Holy Jawbreakers

Episode Title: Tut’s Case is Shut
Original Airdate: September 29, 1966

When we last left Gotham City, Robin had been captured by King Tut and is now on a retracting bridge above Tut’s collection of crocodiles. Batman is tracking Robin through his bat radio, but will he make it in time? Let’s find out in today’s episode, Tut’s Case is Shut.

Just as Tut leaves because he dislikes the sound of his crocodiles chewing, Batman arrives on the scene. He uses a bat laser to cut away the bars on the window, and then swings down with a rope to rescue the Boy Wonder. Kind of an unspectacular rescue, to be honest.

Meanwhile, Gordon’s secretary Miss Patrick, who is really Tut’s main squeeze, is back at City Hall. She’s about to trick Commissioner Gordon into taking a dose of Tut’s Abu Rabu Simbu Tu formula in the form of one of his daily vitamins. But Gordon leaves early to celebrate his anniversary with his wife. O’Hara is left in charge, so he’s the one that ends up taking the drug. This puts him under Tut’s spell, and before we know it, the chief is doing a gymnastics routine on a high ledge of the building. Batman and Robin manage to talk him down, but somehow they must stop Tut before he slips his formula into the city’s water supply and puts the whole city under his control.

Back at the Batcave, Batman examines the few pieces of evidence he has as he sips down six glasses of buttermilk, courtesy of the loyal Alfred. Suddenly, Batman gets a call from Gordon (under the influence of Tut) informing him that Tut’s sphynx has appeared in a city park. While at the park investigating, Gordon spots a lemonade stand and offers Batman a drink. However, he slips one of Tut’s pills into the drink. Next thing we know, Batman is in a zombie-like trance, obeying Tut’s every command. Robin is quickly captured, as well, and the two are taken back to Tut’s hideout. Batman even ends up kneeling before King Tut. But then, Batman suddenly punches one of Tut’s henchmen. See, he was never under the spell at all. He protected himself by coating his stomach with buttermilk! Who knew buttermilk was so powerful. A fight breaks out and Tut ends up taking some of his own mind-control formula in the end.

Once again, we have proof that the King Tut episodes are some of this series’ best. Even though we begin with a fairly weak resolution to the previous episode’s cliffhanger, the rest of the episode is a joy. Victor Buono is delightfully unhinged as Tut! His over-the-top theatrical approach makes Tut one of the series’ most colorful villains. My only complaint with the villains this time around is that Tut’s equally colorful henchman, played by Sid Haig, takes a bit more of a backseat than he did in our last episode.  A bit of a waste, if you ask me.

However, even King Tut gets upstaged this time around by none other than Stafford Repp…Chief O’Hara himself. While under Tut’s influence, O’Hara starts dancing around on a narrow ledge on the top floor of City Hall. He even grabs hold of a flagpole and starts spinning around like he’s going for the gold in Rio. The sequence has a looney, cartoonish quality that is just irresistible. Neil Hamilton as Commissioner Gordon also has some nice moments, including a poetic final speech. As Batman and Robin leave his office, their mission complete, he waxes: “So brave…so dependable…and so modest. Rare in men these days. (looking straight into the camera) Very rare.”

So far, the King Tut episodes have been wonderful. I can hardly wait for his return later this season. However, we have a lot of other episodes to tackle before then. Next week sees the introduction of another villain created for this series…and she’s played by an Academy Award winning actress. Shelley Winters is Ma Parker in The Greatest Mother of Them All. Next week, same bat-time, same bat-channel (superhero).

Bat Gadgets Used:
Bat Laser

Holys:
Holy Highwire

Episode Title: The Greatest Mother of them All
Original Airdate: October 5, 1966

Many history buffs probably know the name of Arizona Donnie Barker…aka Ma Barker. Back in the 30’s she was wanted by the FBI for organizing the crimes of her villainous sons. Many movies and TV shows have portrayed this criminal matriarch, including Batman. The show created their own version, dubbed Ma Parker and portrayed by Academy Award winner Shelley Winters. She’s up to no good in today’s episode, The Greatest Mother of them All.

We open at Gotham’s annual Mother of the Year awards where Ma Parker robs the assembled crowd with her kids: Pretty Boy, Machine Gun, Mad Dog, and the one girl, Legs. The Caped Crusaders are called into action, but before they hit the case, the Gotham police corner Ma and her gang at their hideout. Batman and Robin show up to help. A fight breaks out with the “kids” and Ma is forced to surrender. However, she pulls a smoke bomb from her hair and uses it to escape. However, one of the kids is captured.

Later, Batman uses his Crime Computer to determine Ma’s next target…a local movie theater. Ma steals a truck to escape, but one of the kids doesn’t make it on before she zooms away. One more gang member captured. Later, another one of the kids is nabbed by the Dynamic Duo at a drug store robbery. Finally, Batman tracks Ma and Legs down to a local old folks home. Next thing we know, the whole gang is in the Gotham State Penitentiary under the watchful eye of Warden Crichton. However, that’s just what Ma Parker wants. It turns out that over the last several months, Ma has been having her gang members take jobs at the pen. She quickly takes control of the prison with plans of turning all the inmates against Gotham. Plus, one of her inside men manages to slip an explosive into the engine of the Batmobile before Batman leaves. Once the Batmobile hits 60 MPH, Kaboom! Cue the cliffhanger narration…

Clifhanger Narration:
Ma Parker ruling the pen!
Dynamite in the engine!
Will the Batmobile be blasted?
Will the Boy Wonder be bombed?
Will Batman be blown to bits?
It can’t be true!
Or can it?
Don’t miss the next bat-episode!
Same bat-time.
Same – bat channel!

Once again, we’re seeing some very strong episodes coming out of the villains that were created for the show, rather than those who had their origins in comics. Shelley Winters is great in this part! She had been in Hollywood for over twenty years at this point and had won an Oscar for A Patch of Blue just a little over a year before this episode aired. But she was also about to see her career change a bit. As we moved into the 70’s, Winters would appear in a number of what can be considered B-films, or even exploitation films. She would even play Ma Barker in Roger Corman’s 1970 film Bloody Mama. When I picture her, it’s in roles like the one she plays here…and she’s just so dang good at it. It’s interesting to note that there really hasn’t been a whole lot of gunplay in previous episodes of this series, so it’s a bit jarring when there’s so much here. Even more so because a sweet little old mother character is the one doing the shooting. I admit, I’m struggling a bit to refer to Winters here as an “old” woman since she was only 46 at the time this was made…a year older than me, I might add.

Though there are a few comedic touches, this episode is played fairly straight. I also have to admit that I find Ma’s plan to be one of the most intriguing that we’ve seen on the series so far. The cliffhanger is also quite original. Instead of Batman and Robin being captured, they are blissfully unaware that they are in danger. I also can’t help but wonder if the writer behind the movie Speed may have gotten some inspiration from this cliffhanger.

It’s not all serious, though. Ma’s rocket powered wheelchair is a nice touch. There is a wonderful comedic moment where Batman halts his pursuit of Ma and her gang to stop at a red light. He then notices another driver park his car and fail to lock it. Batman then jumps out and tells the citizen how the police are encouraging people to lock their vehicles. He even presents him with a bumper sticker that reads, “Lock Your Car.”

Speaking of cars…Batman’s is about to explode! You’ll have to wait until next time, though, to find out what happens in part two, simply titled Ma Parker. A surprisingly simple title after this week’s episode…which could be construed in a somewhat questionable way. Anyhow, join us next week. Same bat-time, same bat-channel (superhero).

Bad Gadgets Used:
Crime Computer
Bat Magnet

Holys:
Holy Rocking Chair
Holy Hairdo
Holy Forecast
Holy Greeting Cards
Holy Camouflage
Holy Wernher von Braun

Episode Title: Ma Parker
Original Airdate: October 6, 1966

When we last left Gotham City, Batman and Robin had one by one captured Ma Parker and her family of villains. They’ve turned them over to the care of Warden Crichton at the prison, but little do they know that Ma has taken over control of the pen. Not only that, a bomb is wired to the engine of the Batmobile and will go off once our heroes hit 60 miles per hour. Let’s see what happens in this week’s episode, Ma Parker.

First, I’ll just say that I predicted the end of this cliffhanger when I watched part one. As Batman and Robin speed along, Robin suggests that they go a bit faster…but Batman points out that the speed limit is only 55. Then Batman gets curious about one of the “trustys” at the prison saying that the warden usually drives 70 on this road. Why would the warden do that? Batman leaps out, pops the hood, finds the bomb, and tosses it away. He then hurries back to the prison but finds that things seem normal, with Warden Crichton in control.

In reality, Ma Parker launches a crime wave…rallying the prisoners in the yard to her cause. During one bank job, the Caped Crusaders nearly nab the gang, but only get a piece of fabric as evidence. They then use their gadgets to determine that it’s part of a prison uniform. So…they head back to the prison, but are quickly apprehended by Ma and the kids. They are then strapped to the electric chairs (the prison apparently has two) and set for execution at midnight. When left alone, though, Batman is able to pull loose one of the wires and use it to tap out code on a transmitter on his utility belt, instructing Alfred to have Gotham City power turn off the electricity at 12. They then manage to free themselves, beat up the kids, and capture Ma.

This episode is a fun follow up to last week’s entry. In general, the format of both of these episodes is quite different than other installments. It’s quite refreshing to have a different take on things. Once again, Shelley Winters is a lot of fun as Ma Parker. It’s actually somewhat believable that she would be able to take over the prison and rally all the criminals to her cause. She has great presence, a good grasp of comedy, and is even a bit intimidating.

One of the notable things about this episode is two big cameos by familiar faces. First is the return of another famous villain…Catwoman as portrayed by Julie Newmar. She appears in the prison yard as Ma gives her big speech to the other cons. Strangely, Catwoman gets to wear her normal outfit behind bars rather than the prison uniform that the rest of the inmates sport. She even still has her clawed gloves! She’s sharpening them when we first see her. Who needs a shank when you’ve got those gloves!? The other big cameo comes in the form of a prisoner disguised as a guard who greets our heroes with a shotgun when they come over the prison wall. The guard is played by Uncle Milty himself…Milton Berle. The guy has the opportunity to blow Batman’s head off, but then Batman reminds him then he only has 48 years left on his sentence. Uncle Milty figures he can wait it out.

Overall this is another strong episode featuring a villain original to the show. But next time we get a villain from the comics who only appears in this next two-part story. Walter Slezak plays Clock King in Clock King’s Crazy Crimes. Next week…same bat-time, same bat-channel (superhero).

Bat Gadgets Used:
Crime Computer
Seismograph
Hyper-Spectrographic Analyzer
Transisterized Short-wave Bat-transmitter
Infrared Eye Glasses

Holys:
Holy Jail Break
Holy Rheostat

Episode Title: The Clock King’s Crazy Crimes
Original Airdate: October 12, 1966

So far in season two we’ve seen five villains, but only one (Catwoman) has been one Batman’s iconic enemies from the comics. Our episode today, though, brings us a comic book villain making his debut on the show. However, this story two-part story would be his only appearance. Walter Slezak is Clock King in The Clock King’s Crazy Crimes.

Our story begins with a robbery at a local diamond store. The crooks were able to pull the job when a clock in the shop sprays gas, knocking out the employees and patrons. Such a crime could only be pulled by Clock King. Batman and Robin spring into action and since time is of the essence, they head directly to the diamond shop rather than stopping at police headquarters first.

As our heroes investigate, Clock King launches the next phase of his plan. He poses as a pop artist bringing a bizarre sculpture to a gallery. The strange piece of art, though, is actually a device to cut through the wall of the gallery so Clock King can steal a painting. Since Batman sees a live news report from the gallery, he spots that the strange artist is really Clock King and races off to stop him. A fight breaks out, but Clock King is able to use some strange springs to tangle up our heroes and make an escape.

But Clock King leaves behind one of his watches. Batman takes it back to the Batcave and analyzes it. This leads him to believe that Clock King is hiding in a synthetic gem factory. Sure enough, they find the villain there..but he is waiting for him. Next thing we know, the Caped Crusaders are trapped inside a giant hourglass with bright purple sand pouring down on them. Cue the cliffhanger narration…

Cliffhanger Narration:
Is this the zero hour for the Dynamic Duo?
Are the sands of time really running out for Batman and Robin?
At long last have they met a gritty, granulated, inglorious fate?
Tune in tomorrow!
Same bat-time!
Same bat-channel…!

Like many of Batman’s guest villains, Walter Slezak had quite a career prior to coming to Gotham City. He was in films like Alfred Hitchcock’s Lifeboat and appeared with Ronald Reagan in Bedtime for Bonzo. As Clock King he does a fine job, but doesn’t really do a whole lot to stand out. Ultimately, the fault for this probably falls more on the writers. They just don’t take advantage of Clock King’s gimmick. To be honest, it’s not that strong of a gimmick to start with. He’s pretty much just a guy who like clocks.

The episode still has a number of fun moments. Strangely, one of Batman’s first stops in trying to determine Clock King’s next crime is to visit a drive-in burger joint. Supposedly a girl who once was an accomplice of Clock King’s now works there. Unfortunately, she’s since moved…so instead of getting info, the Caped Crusaders just take a hamburger break. Actually, they get Bat-Burgers. Doesn’t sound that appealing to me.

Probably the highlight of the episode is the celebrity window cameo that comes as our heroes scale the side of Clock King’s lair. The window opens up and we see none other than Sammy Davis Jr. He confesses to be a fan of Batman’s “act” and invites the heroes to come see his act sometime.

Even though this episode doesn’t do a whole lot to stand out, I gotta admit the cliffhanger is great! I mean a giant hourglass is a cool trap…but it’s made even better that the sand inside is purple! How will they ever get out? Find out next time in The Clock King Gets Crowned. Same bat-time, same bat-channel (superhero).

Bat Gadgets Used:
Batscope
Batphotoscope
Batchemical Analyzer
Batcomputer

Holys:
Holy Masquerade
Holy Main Springs
Holy Sun Dials

Episode Title: The Clock King Get Crowned
Original Airdate: October 13, 1966

When we last left Gotham City, Batman and Robin were trapped by Clock King and are now sealed in a giant hourglass. The sands of time are about to suffocate our heroes. How will they get out? Let’s find out in today’s episode, The Clock King gets Crowned.

Batman and Robin soon find that the glass is far too thick for them to bust through, so they begin rocking back and forth. Eventually they get the hourglass to topple over, but the glass still does not shatter. So, they roll the hourglass out the door and into the street where an oncoming truck very kindly breaks it open.

Back at Clock King’s hideout, the villain reveals that he next plans on stealing a collection of rare antique pocket watches from none other than Bruce Wayne. It seems that Aunt Harriet bought one of the villain’s booby trapped clocks for Bruce’s birthday. That will allow Clock King to gas Alfred and Aunt Harriet and pull the robbery. Problem is, one of the henchmen put the wrong trigger on the clock…an atomic energy directional control switch. Clock King needs it back to pull his next job. So, they go to Wayne Manor to steal it back. All the while, Batman and Robin are downstairs in the Batcave trying to figure out Clock King’s next step. Luckily, Alfred triggers an alarm and Bruce and Dick manage to save Aunt Harriet before she becomes a hostage.

Eventually, Batman figures out that Clock King is after a caesium clock due to be delivered today. A booby trap involving a nearby clock tower will provide the cover needed. Of course, Batman and Robin show up just in time. They fight with Clock King and his henchmen as the clock works spin…until time runs out for Clock King.

I have to admit, I found this episode’s story to be a bit confusing. I still don’t totally get what an “atomic energy directional control switch” is and why the heck Clock King needed it for his big plan. Then when we actually get to the big plan, the “atomic energy directional control swtich” doesn’t really seem to play that big a role in things. Granted, a lot of the villain’s schemes in this series don’t always make a lot of sense…but this one just didn’t quite add up.

All that said, the convoluted plot does bring us the unique sequence in which the villains visit Wayne Manor. This gives us a moment where the bad guys don’t face off with Batman and Robin, but with Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson. It’s kind of fun watching these two try to keep themselves in check so that they don’t let on to Clock King and his gang, or Aunt Harriet for that matter, that they are Batman and Robin. I’ve often said that I question the presence of Madge Blake’s Aunt Harriet character in the series at all…but her over-the-top reactions to possibly being captured by a supervillain are fun in this episode.

There’s also a certain charm to the final battle between the heroes and villains in the clock tower. The clock has a variety of animated statues that spin around cuckoo clock style. Clearly, the figures are actual people trying their hardest to stay statue-like while the stunt performers beat each other up around them.

In the end, the two Clock King episodes are decent enough, but not terribly memorable. Our next episode, however, introduces us to a villain that many fans consider to be one of the series’ most memorable. Horror icon Vincent Price makes his debut as Egghead in An Egg Grows in Gotham. Next time…same bat-time, same bat-channel.

Bat Gadgets Used:
Batcomputer
Compressed Steam Batpole Lift

Holys:
Holy Squirel Cage
Holy Hijackers
Holy Horseshoes
Holy Liftoff
Holy Merry-go-round

Episode Title: The Yegg Foes in Gotham
Original Airdate: October 20, 1966

If you recall, when we last left Gotham Bruce Wayne was strapped into a mind reading device by Egghead. The chrome-domed villain believes the millionaire may be Batman and intends to drain Bruce’s brain to find out. Let’s see what happens in this week’s episode, The Yegg Foes in Gotham.

It seems sure that Bruce is doomed, but his clever ward, Dick Grayson, hits upon an idea. He manages to adjust the voltage on the machine causing a short circuit. Before leaving, Egghead drops a sensitive egg bomb, but Bruce and the other millionaire’s manage to escape. Plus, Bruce safely triggers the bomb by shooting a grape at it as if a marble. Bruce was, after all, the Gotham junior marble champion when he was eleven. Even though our heroes escaped, they did not make the deadline to present the pelts to Chief Screaming Chicken. The lease to Gotham thus expires and Egghead takes over the city.

Crime soon takes over the city and Batman and Robin are barred from even entering the fair city of Gotham. But Batman still has a trick up his sleeve. As Bruce and Dick, the Dynamic Duo head back to Gotham and steal the town charter. Upon examination they find that the fine print states that no one who has committed a crime can own the lease on the land. They also determine that Egghead was not really after the city, but rather the contents of the city treasury. Egghead is now on the run, but Batman determines that he will want to pick up a fresh supply of eggs before skipping town. So they track him down to Old MacDonald’s Farm and a battle ensues with eggs serving as weapons.

Whereas part one of this story was pretty by the book, part two gets a bit wacky. When Egghead has control of the city he instructs the cops to let his criminal friends get away with all sorts of crimes. However, the good citizens of Gotham are cited for things like littering and not wearing their seat belt. It’s kind of funny considering seat belt infractions are commonplace today. The highlight of the episode, though, is the final battle at the egg farm. Heroes and villains alike pelt each other with eggs. At one point, Egghead even grabs an entire carton and dumps it over Robin’s head.

One thing, though, about the final fight: I’ve noticed in the last several episodes that it’s getting easier and easier to notice that stunt men are filling in for Adam West and Burt Ward in the fight sequences. West’s double seems quite a bit beefier than the series’ star and he has a tendency to grimace in strange ways. Ward’s stunt double is even more noticeable. The two have considerably different facial structures.

We do still have the somewhat squirm inducing character of Chief Screaming Chicken again, but he really doesn’t play a very big role in this episode. Picking up the slack, though, is this episode’s window cameo. Comedian Bill Dana peeks out of the window as his popular character Jose Jimenez. Dana played the character on Make Room for Daddy and his catch phrase, “My name is…Jose Jimenez,” become a part of the pop culture lexicon. He delivers the phrase in this episode. The popularity of the character even resulted in a spin-off series, The Bill Dana Show, which aired for two seasons. In 1970, just a few years after this episode aired, Dana became sensitive to changing attitudes regarding ethnic humor and retired the character, even holding a funeral for him.

Of course, Vincent Price is once again a delight as Egghead, even if his EGG-stream use of egg puns is a bit over-the-top. I can understand why he became a favorite villains for many fans of the show. Our next villain, though, may be one of the most bizarre casting choices in the history of the show. Get ready for Liberace as Chandell Harry in The Devil’s Fingers. Next week…same bat-time, same bat-channel (superhero).

Bat Gadget’s Used:
Bat Rope

Holys:
Holy Recompense
Holy Banks
Note: The line “Holy Banks” is clearly and awkwardly dubbed. Robin’s lip movements come nowhere close to matching the line. I’m very curious to know what he actually said.

Episode Title: The Devil’s Fingers
Original Airdate: October 26, 1966

I’ve often said that as a child my first exposure to many celebrities was seeing them as guest stars on The Muppet Show. One I remember very clearly was pianist Liberace. He was a little hard to forget with his flashy outfits and rings on every finger. Well, a decade before The Muppet Show, Lee (as his friends called him) guest starred on another TV classic…our very own Batman. Here he is playing dual roles in The Devil’s Fingers.

As our episode begins, the great maestro Chandell (Liberace) is at Wayne Manor working with Aunt Harriet on a performance that will be done as a Wayne Foundation benefit. Suddenly, three lovely ladies in Scottish attire show up to rob the joint. Later, Commissioner Gordon and Chief O’Hara show up to investigate. Gordon even picks up the phone and has the switchboard patch him into the bat-phone line…which Alfred runs off to the other room to answer. Problem is, Batman and Robin are unavailable. In actuality, Bruce is on a hunting trip and Dick is on a date. It’s up to the Gotham police to actually do some police work on their own.

Later, we learn that the three lovely crooks are in the employ of Chandell. He’s a bit of a criminal mastermind, but he also has a twin brother named Harry (also Liberace) who is a bit of a crooked gangster. It is Chandell’s goal to steal a fortune from the Wayne family in order to pay off his scummy brother and get him out of his hair for good. Meanwhile, the police step up their efforts to protect Chandell’s upcoming concert. Still, midway through the concert an explosion goes off in a nearby building (triggered by Chandell hitting a wrong chord) and the three lovelies show up once again to pull a robbery.

Luckily, Bruce is listening to the concert on his radio from his campsite. He becomes suspicious when he notices the wrong chord. He then uses a communicator hidden in fishing pole to contact Dick (using a radio hidden in a text book) and inform him that they must return to their crime fighting duties. When they go to investigate they find Chandell unconscious. Of course, Chandell is faking an attack he claims was perpetrated by his brother Harry. Batman and Robin then head for the abandoned factory (which Chandell gives them the address of) to find Harry. There they are greeted by the three beauties and some previously unseen henchmen. A fight breaks out and Harry manages to knock the Caped Crusaders out with a giant music roll. Next thing we know, Batman and Robin are on a conveyor belt about to be sent into a machine that perforates music rolls for player pianos. Cue the cliffhanger narration…

Cliffhanger Narration:
Holy sour note!
The Dynamic Duo perforated into piano-rolls!
How will this music end?
Tune in tomorrow for the dire, dreadful dirge.
Same bat-time, same bat-channel!!!

Liberace has got to be one of the strangest guest villain choices the makers of this series ever made. The man was certainly a charismatic figure, but I gotta admit he struggles a bit with both his roles. His delivery is a bit stilted and though he was certainly able to charm audiences when performing on stage, here he comes across as a bit…blah. He just doesn’t quite fit as the gangster Harry. Truth be told, it probably would’ve been better to not have Chandell and Harry be twins and just get another actor to play the gangster roll. Even as Chandell, though, Liberace struggles…which is odd since he’s essentially playing himself.

This episode does have one very unique trait, though, compared with the other episodes we’ve seen so far. That is that Batman and Robin are absent for over half of the episode. When we first see Bruce Wayne on his camping trip we are over 13 minutes into the episode. It takes several more minutes for Bruce and Dick to actually become the Caped Crusaders. The camping scene is fun, though. Only someone with the superior intellect of Bruce Wayne could possibly catch that just before the end of Danse Arab Chandell struck a C minor chord that does not belong. He then tells his camping “chum” to go check the muskrat traps…this is so he can call up his young ward on his fishing pole. Dick Grayson’s date with a girl he calls “Sal” is also a funny scene. Guess he must’ve given up on Susie the cheerleader from season one. When Dick sees a light flashing on one of his books he purposely dumps a banana split in the girl’s lap so he can get the privacy he needs to talk to Batman. The weirdest scene, though, is when Chandell seems to be attempting to seduce, of all people, Aunt Harriet! Robin informs us that Chandell is known as quite the ladies man. Ladies man…this is Liberace we’re talking about. Google it, folks.

So, while the episode is certainly unique in its structure and has some fun moments, so far our villain is a bit lacking. We’ll have to see if things improve in our next episode, The Dead Ringers. Same bat-time, same bat-channel (superhero).

Bat Gadgets Used:
Fishing Pole Radio
Text Book Radio

Holys:
Holy Impossibility
Holy Aparition
Holy Relief
Holy Fratricide
Holy Piano
Holy Sour Note (spoken by the narrator)

Episode Title: The Dead Ringers
Original Airdate: October 27, 1966

When we last left Gotham, Batman and Robin were about to be perforated into player piano rolls, courtesy of Harry, the gangster brother of piano maestro Chandell (both played by Liberace). Things seem hopeless for the Caped Crusaders. Let’s see what happens in today’s episode, The Dead Ringers.

As the episode begins, both of our heroes are clueless as to how to get out of this mess. But an idea suddenly hits Batman. He tells Robin to sing a series of notes, copying the ones Batman sings precisely. Both start singing various tones as they slide into the machine. Miraculously, they come out of the other end unharmed. It seems that the machine was punching the holes based on a recording playing nearby. The notes sung by our heroes threw that off. Not only that, it made sure that the hole punchers landed outside of their bodies. This was carefully planned and executed by Batman who, of course, has perfect pitch. After freeing themselves, the heroes manage to capture Harry, but his three beautiful accomplices escape.

It doesn’t take long, however, for Harry’s shifty attorney to get him freed. They claim that someone called “Fingers” was really to blame. Back at the Batcave, the Dynamic Duo eventually figure out that Fingers is really Chandell and that he seeks to get his hands on the Wayne fortune. But how? Well, If he manages to bump off both Bruce and his heir, Dick, the money would then pass to Aunt Harriet. As we saw in our last episode, Chandell has been romancing Aunt Harriet. So, he plans to marry her and get the money, a few million of which will be paid off to Harry. Problem is, Harry figures out this plan as well. His attorney informs him that the legal system will take several years to get that money, so Harry switches places with Chandell to get the money himself. However, when Chandell (actually Harry) kisses Aunt Harriet on the hand, she realizes he is an impostor.

Later, during a performance, Aunt Harriet decides to expose the truth…pulling a gun on Harry. Unfortunately, the girls knock the old lady out using the tones from a sinister set of bagpipes. Harry has Harriet and Alfred placed in a giant trunk and then blasts it with a machine gun. Just then, Batman and Robin (protected by the Bat Shield) leap out. They had been tracking Aunt Harriet all along and took her place. In the end, both Chandell and Harry end up behind bars…with Chandell even doing a prison concert on a black and white striped piano.

I liked this installment much better than last week’s part one. It definitely starts on the right foot with a completely looney resolution to the cliffhanger. Who would’ve thought that having perfect pitch could one day save your life! The episode is also a lot of fun in how it uses the subplot of Chandell romancing Aunt Harriet from the previous episode. Last time it just felt a bit weird and creepy, but it’s nice that it actually plays into the plot this time. And I gotta hand it to Aunt Harriet, she really takes matters into her own hands this time around. I’ve said it before that I often find Aunt Harriet to be a character that really wasn’t necessary for this series. This is probably the meatiest part she’s had on the whole series so far. I mean, she’s packin’ heat in this episode and tries to nab the bad guy all on her own. It doesn’t work out well for her, but I gotta admire her effort.

Liberace also feels a bit more comfortable in both of his roles in this episode than he did in part one. He actually excels more as Harry this time than as Chandell…strange since the later role is essentially Liberace playing himself. I will say, though, that the final scene is a real treat. It sees Chandell tickling the ivories of a piano with prison stripes. Harry and his lovely accomplices (Do, Ray, and Mimi) look on from their cells, as do a number of other criminals. It would’ve been a whole lot better, though, had some other iconic Batman villains like Joker, Penguin, or Catwoman been enjoying the concert as well.

Speaking of the more famous villains, it’s been some time since we’ve seen any of them. That changes next time, though, as Burgess Meredith returns as the Penguin in Hizzoner the Penguin. Don’t miss it…same bat-time, same bat-channel (superhero).

Bat Gadgets Used:
Batarang
Wayne Manor TV Circuit (Closed)
Bat Shield
Secret Radio
Bat Gas

Holys:
Holy Metronome
Holy Caruso
Holy Perfect Pitch
Holy Fugitives
Holy Greed
Holy Bluebeard
Holy Paterefsky
Holy Heartbreak

Episode Title: Hizzoner the Penguin
Original Airdate: November 2, 1966

We’re still about three months away from election day and I already couldn’t be more sick of the political process. My Facebook feed is wall to wall politics. Please, give it a rest already, people. Post some cat photos or something! Even this week’s episode of Batman couldn’t provide relief, for it focuses on the Gotham City mayoral election. Burgess Meredith returns as the Penguin in Hizzoner the Penguin.

Our story begins outside of the Gotham City Charity Fund where a blind newspaper seller is being robbed by a crook. Who steps in to save the day? Why the Penguin!?! Next thing we know, Pengy has launched a campaign for mayor. Plus, his heroic actions have earned him the endorsement of a major Gotham newspaper. The polls quickly spike in the Penguin’s favor and even Mayor Lindseed sees little chance of winning. He suggests that only one man can possibly defeat the Penguin in the election…Batman. At first the Caped Crusader doesn’t feel himself worthy, but he soon decides that he is, in fact, Gotham’s only hope.

This causes the polls to shift again, but the penguin drives a hard campaign. Unfortunately, Batman’s campaign leaves a little to be desired. He refuses to resort to “vaudeville” techniques like brass bands and pretty girls. He also ends up making one big error: when a few loyal Batman supporters show up at his rally with babies for him to kiss, Batman refuses…explaining that it is unsanitary and could spread germs. The parents take offense at this (even though Batman really meant that HE didn’t want to give the babies germs) and next thing we know the Caper Crusader’s rallys are nearly empty. Even Chief O’Hara sleeps through it. Luckily, Batman has been invited to speak at a few other events, including a gathering of the Grand Order of Occidental Nighthawks. Upon arriving our heroes learn that translates as “G.O.O.N.S,” as in Penguin’s henchmen. After a fight, Batman and Robin end up captured. They are place on a giant scale over a vat of sulphuric acid. Ice on the other side is gradually melting, which will eventually lower them into the vat. Cue the cliffhanger narration…

Cliffhanger Narration:
Holy Batgraves!
An acid bubble bath for Batman and Robin!
What a way to lose an election!
Batman, don’t just lie there!
Do something!
Whatever you do, don’t miss tomorrow’s bubbling finish!
Same time, same bat-channel…

This is such an interesting episode to watch. First of all, it could be argued that this was perhaps a small inspiration for the plot of the film Batman Returns, where we once again have the Penguin running for mayor of Gotham City. It’s also interesting given our current election going on here in the US. Honestly, I think I would give serious consideration to the Penguin’s candidacy over brain trust being put forward by both major parties this year. This episode originally aired less than a week before the 1966 midterm elections. In one scene Batman stares right into the camera and speaks directly to the audience as he tells Robin what a mess our country would be in if we elected our leaders based on tricky slogans and gimmicks. Oh, Batman, if you only knew.

The Penguin runs quite a campaign, though. Not only does he hand out free booze, but he’s also go a trio of hot girls on his campaign staff, a belly dancer, and a performance by Paul Revere & the Raiders. Burgess Meredith clearly has a lot of fun playing the Penguin this time out. He always plays the character as crafty, but this might be the most over-the-top interpretation of the character we’ve seen from him yet. It perfectly fits the showman approach to politics that he employs.

This episode also has a really clever script. I especially got a kick out of the three election pollsters (one of whom is played by George Furth who I always remember from Blazing Saddles). Their election poll shows numbers for the mayor and the Penguin, but also 2% for Harry Goldwinter…the Monarchist candidate who has the loyalty of “two old ladies.” Later, when the polls shift to Batman’s favor, Goldwinter has jumped to 3%. It’s a throw away line but I found it funny that one more old lady must’ve come over to the Goldwinter camp.  Also the bit with Batman refusing to kiss the babies is inspired!  In light of how things work today, where everyone who sees themselves as Twitter’s next Woodward and Bernstein latch on to anything a candidate does that might be remotely considered offensive…this scene is quite prophetic.

I dare say, though, that this episode wouldn’t cut it in the world of up-to-the-minute cable news. Viewers had to wait until the next night to find out the results. Join us next time for Dizzoner the Penguin. Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel (superhero).

Bat Gadgets Used:
None!

Holys:
Holy Disaster Area
Holy Bank Balance
Holy Giveaways
Holy Batgraves (spoken by the narrator)

Episode Title: Dizzhonor the Penguin
Original Airdate: November 3, 1966

When we last left Gotham City, the mayoral election between Batman and the Penguin had become heated…literally. The Caped Crusaders are currently suspended over a vat of sulphuric acid…slowly lowering closer and closer. What will happen and who will win the election? Let’s find out in today’s episode, Dizzhonor the Penguin.

Just as all seems hopeless for our heroes, Batman covers his face with his cape and actually leaps into the sulphuric acid. Needless to say, Robin freaks. But a few seconds later, Batman emerges from the acid unharmed. He explains that recently Alfred upgraded his costume with acid-proof material. Our heroes are safe, but Penguin still has a few tricks up his sleeve.

The villain decides that he will take down Batman in the big debate. He claims that Batman can’t be trusted because who is he always spending his time with? Criminals, of course. Whereas the Penguin is often in the presence of the police. Hmm, makes sense to me. As Batman tries to respond, some of the Penguin’s men hijack the TV signal and play a Pengy campaign song over Batman’s answer. Then, in the middle of the debate, a report comes in that a gang of thieves is committing a robbery of a jewelers convention at the convention center. Both Batman and the Penguin head off to fight the crooks. In the end, Pengy bags more baddies. The polls quickly swing to Penguin’s favor.

On election night Batman insists that polls do not decide elections…voters do. Things seem grim but late in the night more and more votes come in for Batman. Penguin is left with one option…kidnap the election officials so the votes won’t be counted. Luckily, Batman tracks Penguin down and rescues the officials and wins the election. In the epilogue Batman resigns and turns the job over to Mayor Lindseed before receiving phone calls from both political parties asking him to run for President in 1968.

Like part one last week, this episode is a lot of fun. Especially in a political season like the one we’re currently going through, you have to appreciate the way these episodes both point out some of the ridiculous aspects of the political process while encouraging voters to take their responsibility seriously. The debate sequence of this episode is particularly brilliant. The double talk that the Penguin engages in surprisingly prescient, pointing to the world we now live in where candidates and media alike spend considerable effort to twist any and everything they can to besmirch their opponents.

Once again, Burgess Meredith is fantastic as the Penguin. This is undoubtedly his best performance of the series so far, maybe even one of the best of any of the villains. His balance of comedy and villainy is perfect. It’s skillfully handled and comes across as quite effortless. All around the comedy is solid in this episode. The opening escape from the cliffhanger is both inspired and completely nuts. The fight at the convention center is also crazy fun, with reporters keeping score of how many bad guys each candidate knocks out…not to mention the reporter who tries to interview Batman mid fight.

In many ways, I wish that more people would approach our elections like these two episodes of Batman have. Yes, they are lighthearted, but still show great respect for the privilege we have to elect our leaders. Today I see mostly backstabbing and name calling…and before you think I’m not talking about YOUR candidate, I am. All are guilty. Honor has vanished. So I say…Batman 2016.

Next time we move away from the realm of politics as Mr. Freeze returns, but embodied by a new actor. Otto Preminger takes over for George Sanders in Green Ice. Same bat-time, same bat-channel (superhero)

Bat Gadgets Used:
Acid-proof costume
Bat Tracer

Holys:
Holy Coffin Nails
Holy Potluck

Episode Title: Green Ice
Original Airdate: November 9, 1966

Many big names played villains on the 60’s Batman series. Our guest villain for our next two episodes was a big name, but he wasn’t known so much for acting. Otto Preminger was primarily recognized as a film director having helmed such films as River of No Return, Anatomy of a Murder, and The Man with the Golden Arm. Here he takes over for George Sanders and brings the character of Mr. Freeze closer to the image we now know of the character in Green Ice.

As our story begins, Mr. Freeze kidnaps Miss Iceland (no, it’s not Bjork) from a beauty contest. Just as Commissioner Gordon and Chief O’Hara go to call the Caped Crusaders into action, they discover that Mr. Freeze is hiding out in the AC vent. He blasts them with his freeze ray…so all Batman hears on the other end of the phone is Gordon gasping for help. Of course, Batman and Robin manage to save them but later at a press conference they are raked over the coals by Nellie Majors of the Gotham City Herald. Things get worse when a block of green ice is delivered. It’s a large sum of frozen money with a message that reads “To Batman for Incidental Crime Expenses.” It looks like our heroes are being bribed.

It turns out that part of Mr. Freeze’s plan is to make public opinion of the Caped Crusaders go south. He even has two of his henchmen dressed up as Batman and Robin for some nefarious purposes. Meanwhile, Freeze is gradually trying to get Miss Iceland’s body temp to go down so she will be more like him…and fall in love with him.

Later, Batman and Robin have to interrupt their investigating for a party being thrown by Aunt Harriet. At the last minute her caterer convinced her to go with an Irish theme. So everything is green. Why even the water in the small pool is colored green. And you thought the Rio Olympics did it first. As the party is in full swing, Freeze shows up to rob the guests. Of course, Bruce and Dick are helpless to do anything…they can’t reveal their secret identities. But then Batman and Robin show up! It’s actually Freeze’s men who half-heartedly do battle with the baddies. They end up fleeing in shame, while Mr. Freeze freezes everyone’s feet into the pool. Luckily, Alfred was in the kitchen and is able to thaw everyone out during the commercial break.

Now, our heroes need to try and track down Freeze’s hideout. Checking places with large freezers, they find him at an ice cream factory. The bad guys get the jump on them, though. Next thing we know, our heroes are about to be turned into giant superhero flavored slushies. Cue the cliffhanger narration.

Cliffhanger Narration:
Can Zis–
I mean This–
Be happening??
Batman being made into a pineapple frosty freezie?!!
And Robin into a lime one??
Has the diabolical Mr. Freeze out-witted the Dynamic Duo after all??
With some fancy ice-work??
Hope for a miracle, and stay frozen in your seats!!
Until tomorrow – Same time, same channel

If you recall Mr. Freeze’s first appearance on this series, he was quite different than he is now. He was just a guy in a business suit who cranked the AC a lot. He only wore his special cold suit a few times. This time he’s always in his special suit, which now has a ring of ice jets around his head to keep him cold. He’s also now bald and sporting the icey blue skin that has become the more common way of presenting the character. So the look is a vast improvement, but I don’t know that I can say the same of Otto Preminger’s approach to the role. Preminger has a heavy accent (which is even joked about in the cliffhanger narration). He sounds a bit like Bela Lugosi’s Dracula.  That aside, Preminger plays the part pretty straight. Given the more extreme look the villain now has, I would’ve preferred a bit more extreme performance. The strangest thing Preminger does is this strange habit of stroking his rust-brown eyebrows…which just had me confused.

Still, there’s just something fun about a blue bald guy who goes around freezing everyone with his ray gun. I actually didn’t mind so much that Freeze doesn’t seem to have some big crime he’s working toward. At least it hasn’t been revealed to us yet, but the fact that he has gone to the effort of having a fake Batman and Robin seems to indicate that he has some more big plans. Right now, though, his biggest crime is kidnapping Miss Iceland and trying to turn her into a blue skinned beauty who will fall madly in love with him. So…he’s just horny, I guess?!

The episode does have some loony moments…like the fight sequence that involves ice cream cones being hurled around. On a whole, though, this episode is a bit lukewarm. We’ll just have to see what happens next time in our next episode, Deep Freeze. Same bat-time, same bat-channel (superhero).

Bat Gadgets Used:
Plastic Explosive
Crime Analyzer
Gotham City Plans and Views
Batcomputer

Holys:
Holy Polar Front
Holy Hijack
Holy Tuxedo
Holy Shamrocks

Episode Title: The Impractical Joker
Original Airdate: November 16, 1966

Sometimes I really wonder about the incarceration system in Gotham City. Batman and Robin are quite skilled at capturing the criminals, but somehow they keep on getting back out on the street. It’s not like any of them end up rehabilitated either. They all go back to their criminal ways. So, even though he’s been captured many times before, the Joker (Cesar Romero) returns this week in our episode, The Impractical Joker.

As our story begins, the Joker has launched a wave of small crimes, all in locations that have something to do with keys. He hits the Keyborne Bookstore, the Keynote Music Store and the Key Club. After he messes with the sign of the Keystone building, Commissioner Gordon gets on the Bat-phone and calls the Caped Crusaders into action. Batman determines that Joker is probably after a special jewel encrusted key that is in the possession of Scottish millionaire Angus Ferguson.

Batman and Robin head for the exclusive showing of the collection and, sure enough, the Joker shows up. However, the clown prince of crime has a trick up his sleeve. He produces a small electronic box which when opened causes the Dynamic Duo to go into a trance. Joker easily lifts the valuable key and makes his escape as our heroes stand motionless.

Later, Bruce and Dick are trying to enjoy watching The Green Hornet on television when the Joker hijacks the TV signal with a clue to his next crime. He tells them to look for a bow and a bobtail. After a lot of complicated analysis of the clue (too convoluted to go into here) our heroes determine that Joker intends to hit a fur shop. They burst in as Joker and his men are pulling the job…and thanks to taking anti-hypnosis pellets they avoid falling under Joker’s spell this time. Still, the villains escape. So, back at the batcave, Batman has the Batcomputer analyze new entries in the phone book for any names related to keys. They find Clavier Ankh…which is related to keys but it would take several more paragraphs to explain how, so I won’t bother. Bottom line, it’s the really the Joker. So the heroes burst into his apartment, but are lured into a trap by the Joker’s current gal, Cornelia (Kathy Kersh). Next thing we know, Batman is about to be carved up by a giant key copying machine and Robin is to be sprayed with a coat of wax. Cue the cliffhanger narration…

Cliffhanger Narration:
Is there any key to the solution of this monstrous scheme??
Will Batman really be skeletonized?
And Robin waxed and then notched??
Keep keen-edged, keen-witted and keep watching!!
Tomorrow! Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!

This episode is really a bit of a head scratcher. It’s very complicated. There are all sorts of clues being left by the Joker which you just have to kind of sit back and let wash over you, because if you try to make sense of all the references to different types of “keys” your head will explode. To be honest, all these clues didn’t feel very much like the Joker’s usual antics. I can’t help but wonder if this particular story was written with another villain in mind…the Riddler. Remember, Frank Gorshin was not available to play the Riddler during season two due to his commitment to his Vegas show. The Riddler only shows up in one pair of episodes this season, and he’ll be played by John Astin. So it wouldn’t surprise me at all if some stories that had been planned for the prince of puzzlers were reworked for other villains. Whether that’s the case or not, the Joker’s obsession with key related crimes just doesn’t quite make sense.

Cesar Romero is still great in the role, however. The way he cackles and prances about is truly magical. Sadly, Joker’s gang are just a bunch of generic goons who aren’t really given much to do or anything close to personalities. Even his latest gal pal, Kathy Kersh, doesn’t really make much of a mark. Though, she does look great in her sleek purple catsuit which is not far off from the costume Yvonne Craig would wear as Batgirl in the series’ third season. She’s also got awesome 60’s hair…but that doesn’t make up for a pretty dry performance.

This episode does feature a window cameo as Batman and Robin scale the wall of Clavier Ankh’s apartment building. Though, it’s a cameo that most audiences today won’t necessarily recognize. The actor is longtime movie and TV star Howard Duff, though he’s appearing as the character of Detective Sam Stone, who he played on the series Felony Squad from 1966-69. Just like Batman, Felony Squad was airing on ABC at this time. There are some who suggest that the show Police Squad (and the Naked Gun films that were spun off from it) was a parody of Felony Squad. While we’re on the subject of other shows that were on ABC in 1966, one of this episode’s strangest moments is when Bruce and Dick are watching The Green Hornet, only to have the Joker interrupt. That show was also produced by Batman producer William Dozier, and honestly the cross promotion comes across as a bit awkward here. Especially since the Hornet and Kato made their own window cameo a few episodes back. So are they real characters or television characters?!

Honestly, this episode made my brain hurt. It was too complicated for its own good. Lets hope things get a bit more streamlined in our next episode, The Joker’s Provokers. Same bat-time, same bat-channel (superhero).

Bat Gadgets Used:
Counter Hypnosis Bat Pellets
Batcomputer

Holys:
Holy Vertebrae
Holy Key Ring
Holy Keyhole
Holy Mesmerism
Holy Pseudonym

Episode Title: The Joker’s Provokers
Original Airdate: November 17, 1966

When we last left Gotham City, Batman was about to be notched into a giant key while Robin is doomed to be given a fresh coat of wax. The Joker seems to have been victorious. Will our heroes escape? Let’s find out in today’s episode, The Joker’s Provokers.

As we begin, the Joker is anxiously watching what happens to our heroes…but, of course, he has something pressing he must attend to, so he leaves. So, while the Joker’s men are bickering with each other, Batman manages to slip a key out of his utility belt and use it to mess up the cogs of the machine. He then escapes and fights with the Joker’s goons before freeing Robin. However, Robin is completely covered in wax…motionless like a statue. Later, at the Batcave, Batman uses some Bat Wax Solvent to take care of Robin…and of course all his deep sea swimming classes helped him hold his breath for so long.

Meanwhile, the Joker learns that the Caped Crusaders have escaped. But no matter, he has something new to terrorize Gotham with. His little magic box (from the last episode) also has the ability to freeze, speed up, or slow down time with the turn of the key. At the same time, Commissioner Gordon gets a very Riddler-like message from the Joker which, after analysis, leads Batman to realize that the villain intends to sabotage the water supply. Well, it turns out that Alfred’s identical cousin Egbert (!?!?) is security guard at the water works. So, Alfred goes to take his place to help out with Batman’s plan. When Joker and his goons show up, Alfred gets the jump on them and manages to snatch the box away…using it to make them run forwards and backwards, etc. Then Batman and Robin show up to put the finishing touches on the baddies.

Let me make this review simple: This is the WORST episode of this series we’ve seen thus far and I can’t imagine another one getting much worse. Most part two episodes of Batman give a recap of the previous episode before the opening titles. They don’t even do that here…as if admitting that part one was a royal mess. All the narrator does is remind us of the cliffhanger. But this doesn’t even feel like a continuation of the last story. The first part of this story got bogged down in Joker’s inexplicable obsession with keys. That’s almost completely abandoned this time around. Now we get caught up in a time machine of some sort…the science of which is never explained. I don’t even care if it doesn’t make sense! Make up some gobbledy gook to at least make me feel like you gave it some thought.

As if the ridiculous time machine plot device wasn’t enough, we also have that thing we’ve seen time and time again on old TV shows…identical cousins. If TV has taught me anything, it’s that everyone on the planet has an exact double out there somewhere who you will someday come face to face with. It’s what allowed Peter Brady to have dates with two different girls at the same time on The Brady Bunch. So here, Alfred’s identical cousin is a security guard. I do applaud Alan Napier with being able to give a completely different voice to “Eggy,” but it’s such a tired plot device. It also should be noted that the downfall of the Joker in this episode is pretty much thanks to Alfred. Batman just shows up, throws a few punches and then gets the applause.

This better not be the Jump-the-Shark moment for this series. I have faith things will improve. Next time we have a promising new villain played by Morticia Addams herself, Carolyn Jones, in Marsha, Queen of Diamonds.

Bat Gadgets Used:
Bat Wax Solvent

Holys:
Holy Hydraulics
Holy Floodgate

Episode Title: Marsha’s Scheme of Diamonds
Original Airdate: November 24, 1966

When we last left Gotham City, Batman’s only hope to save Robin is to marry the evil Marsha, Queen of Diamonds and then reveal the location of the Batcave so she can get her hands on the giant Bat Diamond which powers the Batcomputer. The couple is standing at the altar with the Caped Crusader struggling to get our the words “I do.” Let’s see what happens in today’s episode, Marsha’s Scheme of Diamonds.

Batman is just about to give in and utter those two magic words, but then someone interrupts the ceremony. It’s Alfred who enters with a mysterious veiled woman (Aunt Harriet in disguise). Alfred claims to be a lawyer from England representing a woman who for the last seven years has been Mrs. Batman. He’s even got the wedding certificate to prove it. Of course, the minister refuses to conduct the ceremony for a bigamist. Not only that, Alfred informs Marsha that she’s being sued for one million dollars. Of course, Marsha makes a quick exit. Batman then recruits Alfred (pretending he doesn’t know who he is) to come with him to rescue Robin, who is still caged and under the spell of the love potion. By the way, as Batman and Alfred run out they are pelted with rice by the people waiting outside, and must drive the Batmobile complete with “Just Married” sign and cans tied to the back bumper.

After rescuing Robin, the Dynamic Duo uses the Batcomputer and the Batradar to locate Marsha’s hidden lair. It has something to do with picking up the reflection pattern of Marsha’s diamonds. I’m sure it’s all scientifically accurate. When our heroes show up they find Marsha scheming with her Aunt Hilda, the witch. Hilda is intending on using a potion to turn Batman and Robin into mice…then the little creatures will lead them to the Batcave. However, when she tosses the liquid on them it doesn’t work. Marsha’s henchmen then emerge from the cauldron to battle the heroes. Meanwhile, Hilda starts trying other potions…tossing them randomly at the heroes. Finally, Marsha uses some gas to knock out Batman and Robin, then Hilda douses them with a concoction to turn them into toads.

We then cut to city hall where Gordon and O’Hara await word from the heroes. But enter Marsha and her lead henchman along with a cage containing two toads (sporting blue and yellow capes, no less). The toads then, believe it or not, speak (in Batman and Robin’s voices)! They inform the commissioner that Gordon must lead the villains to the Batcave or the toads will be fed to Marsha’s cat. Of course, Gordon doesn’t know where the Batcave is. Just before he picks up the Batphone to find the location (presumably from Alfred) Batman and Robin appear. It seems that they were really captured by Marsha, but used the powerful Batcomputer to remotely unlock their cage. Oh, and the talking toads were just a case of ventriloquism from Marsha’s henchman.

There are some wonderfully silly aspects of this episode, but I don’t know that I’d consider it an upper tier installment. The resolution to the cliffhanger is an eye roller, for sure, but it’s somehow perfect as well. We also get a crazy moment where Aunt Hilda is having a soak in her own cauldron like it were a jacuzzi. She even wears a shower cap that’s shaped like a witches hat. Top of the heap, though, is the bat toads moment. I mean, it’s fantastic enough that they try to convince us that the Dynamic Duo were turned into toads, but add to it that they are wearing these tiny little capes that look like they were bought at Build-a-Bear Workshop…classic!

The episode does stumble in a few spots, though. There is a lengthy sequence right in the middle of the episode where Alfred meets with Gordon and O’Hara to discuss how he and Aunt Harriet managed to save Batman from being trapped in a bad marriage. They then discuss what the two cops plan on telling their wives about having been under Marsha’s love spell in the previous episode. The scene just seems to go on and on and really feels like it’s just there to pad out the episode a bit. The Batcave sequence that precedes it is also kind of long and talky. Luckily, once we get to the fight sequence and the toads the episode gets back to a nice level of looniness. Of course, one of the things I loved about the toads was the explanation that Marsha’s Grand Mogul is a ventriloquist. Being a puppeteer myself, I have many friends who are ventriloquists. I don’t know any who use toads in their act, though.

Though not fantastic, these two Marsha episodes are very fun and satisfying. The character will be showing up again as we move through the series, and I welcome her return. For our next episode, though, we get a villain portrayed by Uncle Ben…as in Spider-Man’s Uncle Ben. Cliff Robertson is Shame in our next episode, Come Back Shame. Same Bat Time, same Bat Channel (superhero).

Bat Gadgets Used:
Package of Bat Antidotes
Batcomputer
Batradar

Holys:
Holy Stalagtites
Holy Trolls and Goblins
Holy Hors d’oeuvre

Episode Title: Come Back, Shame
Original Airdate: November 30, 1966

Perhaps one of the most significant characters in the history of the Spider-Man comics is one who didn’t live to see Peter Parker become his superhero alter ego…Peter’s Uncle Ben. Actor Cliff Robertson turned in a memorable performance as Ben in Sam Raimi’s series of Spidey films. It turns out, though, that Robertson has spent time alongside DC characters as well as Marvel. In today’s episode of Batman he appears as the villainous cowboy Shame in Come Back, Shame!

Our story begins at an auto race. During a routine pit stop, a group of masked bandits hold a driver at gunpoint and escape with his race car.  The lead bandit leaves a platinum bullet behind; a calling card of sorts.  It can mean just one man, Shame.  It turns out that Shame has been stealing cars all over town. Normally the police would handle a ring of car thefts, but with Shame involved the Caped Crusaders are called into action. Batman and Robin quickly determine that Shame is stealing the cars for the specialized parts so he can assemble some sort of super vehicle to enter a Grand Prix that is coming up with a huge cash prize. So, our heroes decide to set a trap for Shame. They contact local DJ Hotrod Harry to mention on his show that Bruce Wayne has a new souped up limo that can go nearly 300 miles per hour. Of course, Shame will want to lift the vehicle.

Sure enough, Shame hears the radio announcement and sets out to steal the car. He has his lovely sidekick Oakie Annie distract Bruce and Dick as they are out running errands for Aunt Harriet. One of their stops happens to be a lingerie shop (awkward). Annie helps the boys get what Aunt Harriet needs, and they in turn give her a ride since her car is broke down. Along the way, they are forced to stop for a cow in the road. This is when Shame strikes and steals the limo. Luckily, the Batcycle has been following them by remote control at a safe distance so they can have a ride back to the batcave. Also lucky is that Batman coated the tires of the limo with Infrared Bat Dust so they can follow the trail to Shame’s hideout. When our heroes arrive at the rundown western movie set that Shame calls home they fight with his gang. The Caped Crusaders seem to have the upper hand, but when Annie shoots a rope causing a chandelier to drop on them, they are knocked out. Next thing we know, our heroes are tied to the ground with Shame about to unleash a stampede of cattle to trample them to death. Cue the cliffhanger narration…

Cliffhanger Narration:
Have Batman and Robin at last bitten the dust??
Is this the big casino??
Are the dynamic duo heading for the last roundup??
If you have the intestinal fortitude to learn the answer to these questions,
Tune in tomorrow!!
Shame time!!
Shame channel!!

Storywise, this episode is nothing all that spectacular. There’s a string of crimes, we set up the villain’s plot, Batman and Robin track him down, there’s a fight, and we get the cliffhanger. Pretty standard stuff. But the western angle and a really great villain end up elevating this episode quite a bit. Robertson is fantastic as Shame. He seems to be approaching the role as if the character were your standard western hero, but he gives him a sinister edge that makes Shame a truly unique villain. He doesn’t come across like a villainous goofball like some of the baddies on this show.  He definitely comes across as cold-blooded.  Shame’s dialogue is also full of strange western sayings and Robertson is clearly having a great time playing cowboy.

The entire western motif of this episode is really a treat. The big fight sequence takes place in an abandoned western saloon movie set. So the fight is literally a western style bar room brawl. Characters are thrown over the bar, hit over the head with whiskey bottles, and slid across the top of the bar…like what you might see in an actual western. It’s probably one of the better fight sequences that we’ve seen in the second season.

There are also several moments of quirky humor which play off of the western theme, as well. Strangest is the inclusion of a little kid named Andy who wanders into Shame’s movie set hideout. The kid seems to have been included primarily so that he could exclaim “Come back, Shame!” in a scene parodying a famous scene from the movie Shane. The cliffhanger is also a great bit of western lunacy as our heroes are doomed to be trampled by stock footage of stampeding cattle. It also gives Batman the chance to utter the wonderful line, “Shame on you, Shame.” You’ll have to wait until next time, though, to find out if our heroes escape. Don’t miss our next episode, It’s How You Play the Game. Same bat time, same bat channel (superhero).

Bat Gadgets Used:
Precious Metals Bat-Analyzer
Infrared Bat Dust

Holys:
Holy Jigsaw Puzzles
Holy Stampede

Episode Title: It’s How You Play the Game
Original Airdate: December 1, 1966

When we last left Gotham City, Batman and Robin had been tied to stakes by the villainous Shame and are about to be trampled by a stampede of cattle. There is no way to stop them! What will our heroes do? Let’s find out in It’s How You Play the Game.

As the cattle get closer, Batman finds that the rumbling of the hooves causes the stake his hands are tied to to loosen. He manages to free his hands just in time to stand up and grab his cape. He uses it like a matador to lure the cattle away from Robin. When all is safe, Robin comments that he thought bulls went for red capes. Batman then explains that bulls are colorblind, it is the movement that attracts them. Now our heroes just need to get the bottom of Shame’s plan. They determine that he is not entering in the Grand Prix after all, but what is his scheme? They decide to consult radio DJ Hot Rod Harry to get some clues. Harry, however, has no good leads so he sends them on to used car dealer Laughing Leo. Leo is not at all helpful and just seems to want our heroes to trade in the Batmobile for a new used car. Turns out, though, that Leo is in league with Shame.

Shame is actually working on a souped up truck which he will use to transport four black angus cows on display at the Gotham City Rodeo. Each is worth $300,000! Meanwhile, back at the Batcave, the Dynamic Duo are examining the remains of Bruce Wayne’s limo, which Shame stole in the last episode and Alfred has since found pieces of. Batman finds a green speck and a red speck on the steering wheel….chili and guacamole. This leads our heroes to the Mexican restaurant where Shame has been hard at work on his truck. But the baddies have already retreated to their western film set hideout. They all meet up and there and shootout ensues…which leads to Robin being shot in the ankle!

Back at the Batcave our heroes realize Shame’s plan to steal the prize cows. They head for the expo center but are too late to stop Shame. They eventually track him down to the KO Corral and face Shame in a High Noon style showdown. But Shame plays dirty and has all his gang aiming guns at the heroes. Luckily, Batman releases a smoke bomb to hide behind while they count the number of shots fired. Once they determine the bullets are all spent they jump out and fight the bad guys. In the end, Shame and his gang end up being hauled off to prison.

This episode continues the trend of skipping the recap of the last episode before the credits. All they do is remind us of the cliffhanger. The resolution of this cliffhanger is wonderfully goofy. Robin even shouts “Ole Batman!” as if it actually helps keep the cows from trampling him. Speaking of goofy elements, we also have the return of the little boy Andy who does the “Come back Shame” routine several more times in this episode.  Oh, and we also see a little old lady buying a used car…she came all the way from Pasadena to buy it.  Eh, get it!?

The continuing of the western theme we saw in the previous episode remains a highlight of this one. The final showdown plays directly off of High Noon and has some fun camera angles as our heroes stare down Shame at the other end of the street. I did find it a bit disappointing that they didn’t do more with the rodeo location. Shame just shows up there to swipe the cows and then Batman shows up too late. Not much happens there. Plus, there was one thing that really bugged me about the sequence. When our heroes arrive, Batman explains that the black angus cows are being displayed on an upper level of the convention center. Now here’s the thing…I live in Denver, the city which every year hosts a very large event called The National Western Stock Show. It’s been going on for over 100 years and they even do a parade where cattle march down our city streets. I’ve been there and seen the livestock displays…let me tell you there is no way on earth that cattle would be displayed anywhere above a ground floor. Besides the fact that cows don’t use stairs or elevators…there’s all the poo! What janitor wants to pick up all that!?! It’s very obvious why the cows are on the second floor of this episode…so Batman and Robin can climb up the side of the building and to give us a window cameo.

This time the window cameo is Werner Klemperer…aka Col. Klink from Hogan’s Heroes. Having grown up in the Chicago area, I saw a lot of Hogan’s Heroes. It was the show that channel 9 always went to whenever there was an extended rain delay during a Cubs game. Plus it was one of my dad’s favorite shows. What’s weird is that Klemperer appears in this episode as Klink! Batman and Robin seem to recognize him and call him Colonel. They are quite friendly to him, in fact, which is strange because Klink is a Nazi! Why would the Caped Crusaders be friendly with a Nazi!? Not to mention the fact that it’s 1966 and the war’s been over for like 20 years. Our heroes even tell him to say hi to Hogan for them.

So, there’s a lot of strangeness to this episode, but it’s still a lot of fun. Cliff Robertson is once again a real treat as Shame. Everyone involved seems to be having fun playing cowboy. We leave the old west behind next time, though, for the return of a classic Batman villain. Burgess Meredith is back as the Penguin in The Penguin’s Nest. Same bat time, same bat channel (superhero).

Bat Gadgets Used:
Batroscope
Bat-icilian Lozenges
Smoke Bomb

Holys:
Holy Toreador
Holy Matador
Holy Guacamole
Holy Bat-logic