via Amazon
from the first Mad Hatter episodes ...
William Dozier's delivery made me laugh out loud when he asked, "But can [the police] reach him? Or are millionaire Bruce Wayne and his youthful ward, Dick Grayson up to something else this morning in stately Wayne Manor?" It's almost like a cheeky wink to all of us wondering just what the hell's going on between Brick. Yes, that's right, I'm now shipping them.
"A Riddle a Day Keeps the Riddler Away"/"When the Rat's Away the Mice Will Play"
Frank Gorshin's back, and we get some insight into how the Riddler operates. As Batman reveals, it's when the riddles stop coming that the grand finale of his plots begins. Up until then, it's just teasing and table-setting.
Best Scene: After Batman is missing and presumed dead, Bruce Wayne presents a $1 million ransom to Commissioner Gordon, when who should appear but Batman! Actually, it's the Riddler's henchman Whitey, but it does buy Bruce some points in the "never in the same place" argument. Points which are then lost when Batman tells Gordon that was an impostor.
Not that Gordon cares. He admits to the rest of the P.D. that for all Batman's done for the city, it's worth not trying to find out who's behind the mask.
My, doesn't the Queen of Freedom(Statue of Liberty)'s art museum (located in the torch) seem like a fun tourist attraction? You get a model of a commodities building, and a portrait of Batman and Robin! Note the turquoise color scheme. Again, all about selling color TVs.
Decent cliffhanger: Batman and Robin are strapped to industrial fans. "Utility belt saves us again."
Yet another wayward girl falls for Batman. This time it's Mousey (Susan Silo, who's still in the the voiceover business). Hopefully her time in prison will not only allow Mousey to get a GED, but speech therapy and a fashion sense (why's she dressed like Leslie Caron in Gigi?).
Reginald Denny, who played King Boris, would go on to be Commodore Schmidlapp in the movie. Speaking of that, I'm not sure if we're getting a tease regarding the eventual criminal alliance, but I like that the Riddler has a sort of respect for the Joker and Penguin (and Mr. Freeze).
Fanservice Junction: Joy Harmon (the car-washing girl from Cool Hand Luke) as Miss Galaxy winner Julia Davis (of Southern City). For whatever reason, the pageant has its finalists still in their swimsuits for the big reveal. Batman and Robin are mostly in the wings, even when the Riddler emerges to steal Julia's crown. This allows us several shots of the contestants being seen from behind and the side.
Geddy Lee Marvin
Gorshin rules in this episode, its my favourite portrayal of the Riddler. I love when he goes off on that rant, when the typical ditzy hench-chick remarks about never having met royalty before. Gorshin really nails The Riddler's insanity, he shows you that little crack in the Riddler's usual jokey-zany personality, and the derranged anger bubbling just underneath.
Me
I'm glad you mentioned that rant, as I regretted not transcribing it. It's great when the Batman villains have an extra quirk (other than, of course, being Batman villains). The Riddler's delusions of grandeur might be my favorite.
“An Egg Grows in Gotham/The Yegg Foes in Gotham”
“The Devil’s Fingers”/”The Dead Ringers"
m0nit0rman
Frank Gorshin's back, and we get some insight into how the Riddler operates. As Batman reveals, it's when the riddles stop coming that the grand finale of his plots begins. Up until then, it's just teasing and table-setting.
Best Scene: After Batman is missing and presumed dead, Bruce Wayne presents a $1 million ransom to Commissioner Gordon, when who should appear but Batman! Actually, it's the Riddler's henchman Whitey, but it does buy Bruce some points in the "never in the same place" argument. Points which are then lost when Batman tells Gordon that was an impostor.
Not that Gordon cares. He admits to the rest of the P.D. that for all Batman's done for the city, it's worth not trying to find out who's behind the mask.
My, doesn't the Queen of Freedom(Statue of Liberty)'s art museum (located in the torch) seem like a fun tourist attraction? You get a model of a commodities building, and a portrait of Batman and Robin! Note the turquoise color scheme. Again, all about selling color TVs.
Decent cliffhanger: Batman and Robin are strapped to industrial fans. "Utility belt saves us again."
Yet another wayward girl falls for Batman. This time it's Mousey (Susan Silo, who's still in the the voiceover business). Hopefully her time in prison will not only allow Mousey to get a GED, but speech therapy and a fashion sense (why's she dressed like Leslie Caron in Gigi?).
Reginald Denny, who played King Boris, would go on to be Commodore Schmidlapp in the movie. Speaking of that, I'm not sure if we're getting a tease regarding the eventual criminal alliance, but I like that the Riddler has a sort of respect for the Joker and Penguin (and Mr. Freeze).
Fanservice Junction: Joy Harmon (the car-washing girl from Cool Hand Luke) as Miss Galaxy winner Julia Davis (of Southern City). For whatever reason, the pageant has its finalists still in their swimsuits for the big reveal. Batman and Robin are mostly in the wings, even when the Riddler emerges to steal Julia's crown. This allows us several shots of the contestants being seen from behind and the side.
Geddy Lee Marvin
Gorshin rules in this episode, its my favourite portrayal of the Riddler. I love when he goes off on that rant, when the typical ditzy hench-chick remarks about never having met royalty before. Gorshin really nails The Riddler's insanity, he shows you that little crack in the Riddler's usual jokey-zany personality, and the derranged anger bubbling just underneath.
Me
I'm glad you mentioned that rant, as I regretted not transcribing it. It's great when the Batman villains have an extra quirk (other than, of course, being Batman villains). The Riddler's delusions of grandeur might be my favorite.
"The Bookworm Turns"/"While Gotham City Burns"
We are all poorer without Roddy McDowall, full stop. He gives an excellent performance as the Bookworm, a frustrated writer prone to fits of rage over his inability to reach the bestseller lists and schemes that are over-plotted. I can't help but wonder if there was an element of art imitating life here, even though Batman itself was a hit (see below).
Unfortunately, this installment was a one-and-done for McDowall and writer Rik Vollaerts. Roddy absolutely loved his experience. "Hey, it was one of the best times; I have ever had, working on that nutty show." He was only prevented from further appearances due to prior commitments*. The show hints at more Bookworm in the future, with a tease that he's eventually going to uncover the truth: "Why, [Bruce]'s just as annoying as Batman!"
*Happily, he returned to the Batman fold as the voice of the Mad Hatter.
Vollaerts offered some insight on the working relationship between Batman's writers and producers: "There were people involved that didn’t know what it meant when you said, ‘tongue-in-cheek.’ There were people there that didn’t know what the word camp meant." I highlighted that quote because it reminds me that while Batman might not have been first out of the gate with meta humor, it certainly ran with it, and as such, was sort of reinventing the wheel as it went.
Yet another cool cliffhanger, as Robin's tied to the clapper of "Big Benjamin", part of the Wayne Memorial. This leads to a hilarious moment where Batman snaps at Chief O'Hara while he's trying to fathom the Bookworm's subconscious. I wasn't as crazy about the final trap, of Batman & Robin being lured into a giant "cookbook", but it did work as a set piece.
Today in Selling Color TVs: the mauve knockout gas used on Alfred and Aunt Harriet.
We have our first "citizen at the window" cameo, which was developed to fit in more guest stars (seriously, Batman was now the shit at this point). Here, it's Jerry Lewis ("Holy human flies!"). To the Batpoles! has an error, however. Lewis' show had already been cancelled by ABC, replaced by The Hollywood Palace.
There's Miss "Aah! Aah! Aah!" (in early episodes, the show kept reusing the same sound of a woman's shrill screams) at the opening of the Amerigo Columbus bridge when "Commissioner Gordon" appears to be shot and falls to his death.
Fanservice Junction: Besides the opening beauty queen in the swimsuit, we have Francine York as Miss Limpet, who wears a sweater ensemble that must have given the censor pause.
"Hot Off the Griddle"/"The Cat and the Fiddle"
Julie Newmar wins the acting crown for today, with a spirited performance as Catwoman (and later, Catwoman in disguise as elderly Minerva Mathews, an acting challenge Julie was proud of). Along with the usual nasty and mean antics, Catwoman shows off a tender side when Batman rescues her from falling off the Gotham State Building. She gives him a tender goodbye nuzzle before heading to Arkham, and Batman insists to Commissioner Gordon he's not blushing, it's just hot outside.
More of the virtuous Batman and Robin: We now see them using their seatbelts, and Batman lectures Robin on the importance of using parking meters, as the money goes back into the city.
Batman and Robin get some unique opportunities to be in peril. They're trapped on a giant heated floor (where eggs are fried, natch) at the Pink Sandbox, then placed under giant magnifying glasses to be burnt up during an eclipse. Well, it's better than exploding balloons.
Today in Broadway: Alfred says his dancing skills end with the Lambeth Walk (from Me and My Girl, which didn't reach New York until 1986).
To the Batpoles was pretty blunt about this installment, calling it the start of Batman's camp for camp's sake period, but I didn't think it was especially awful. There are moments I didn't care for -- Aunt Harriet entertaining herself by dancing the "Catusi" by Benedict Arnold and the Traitors; Catwoman bragging about the Joker and Penguin trying to go out with her -- but Julie's iconic performance is like ... catnip for me!
If you feature a "Getaway Rocket", though, you've got to use it.
"Are they birds?" "Are they planes?" "No, they're cat burglars!"
Fanservice Junction: As if Julie weren't enough, we also have a young and cute James Brolin as the armored card driver, and Edy Williams as the sexy waitress at the Pink Sandbox. But back to Julie -- I just love how her leg twitched when Catwoman got excited. That happened all the time with my cat!
Jay S.
The name of a mid-60s rock group being "Benedict Arnold and the Traitors" is friggin' hilarious.
Me
It's an idea strong enough for an episode of its own. I just don't like the idea that Aunt Harriet went to the Pink Sandbox. Especially since it's implied she went by herself. A place with go-go dancing and waitresses dressed as cats doesn't seem right for her.
Unless, of course, she was on a date with Chief O'Hara.
Jay S.
Kind of surprising they didn't have a rock-star spoof villain, or a psychedelic-type like The Groovy Guru on Get Smart.
Unless I'm forgetting someone, the main musical villain they had was Liberace
Me
I know, right? Something to add for the imaginary NBC season.
Can't wait for that Liberace episode ...
Evil Lincoln
I wonder if it occurred to the producers of Gotham to have the actress playing the teenage Catwoman check out Julie Newmar's definitive performance in the role, or if they thought that would be way too much pressure to put on a young actress, to try to match THAT level of playful hotness.
Me
Ooh, so the Gotham girl isn't very good? I bring it up because I'm finding myself in awe of Newmar with each new episode. Even the slightly slurred voice conveys the right degree of feral behavior.
This is also why I enjoyed Michelle Pfeiffer's take so much (and would put her a respectable second), the animal quality. I'll have to pay close attention if Eartha has that. I remember her mostly for the self-parody, which fits into how Batman was toward the end. But does it work for Catwoman?
Evil Lincoln
The actress who plays Selina on Gotham is certainly not the world's greatest or most subtle actress. I like her in that role though. She sells the feral animal grace of the character I think, and also has an interesting chemistry with the actor who plays the future Batman. You get a sense that she enjoys f***ing with him, but there is something else real between them as well, but she is ill-equipped to really admit or express that, so her way of dealing with it is frequently to lash out.
Me
A-ha. Sounds promising to me. Tell me, how is the Oswald Cobblepot?
Evil Lincoln
Robin Lord Taylor as Cobblepot is probably the standout performance on Gotham so far, for me. He really sells the character's weird, vicious menace, but also his constant play-acting and manipulation. Sadly though the Penguin character is mostly stuck in the show's dire mob politics storyline, sometimes crossing over to the almost as bad Gotham PD corruption storyline.
Meanwhile the best storyline--the future Batman investigating his parents' murder, with help from Sean Pertwee's Alfred and sometimes Selina, is lucky if it is the C storyline most episodes.
John Carter
I think it's a good performance. She doesn't really affect a purr, though.
Julie Newmar wins the acting crown for today, with a spirited performance as Catwoman (and later, Catwoman in disguise as elderly Minerva Mathews, an acting challenge Julie was proud of). Along with the usual nasty and mean antics, Catwoman shows off a tender side when Batman rescues her from falling off the Gotham State Building. She gives him a tender goodbye nuzzle before heading to Arkham, and Batman insists to Commissioner Gordon he's not blushing, it's just hot outside.
More of the virtuous Batman and Robin: We now see them using their seatbelts, and Batman lectures Robin on the importance of using parking meters, as the money goes back into the city.
Batman and Robin get some unique opportunities to be in peril. They're trapped on a giant heated floor (where eggs are fried, natch) at the Pink Sandbox, then placed under giant magnifying glasses to be burnt up during an eclipse. Well, it's better than exploding balloons.
Today in Broadway: Alfred says his dancing skills end with the Lambeth Walk (from Me and My Girl, which didn't reach New York until 1986).
To the Batpoles was pretty blunt about this installment, calling it the start of Batman's camp for camp's sake period, but I didn't think it was especially awful. There are moments I didn't care for -- Aunt Harriet entertaining herself by dancing the "Catusi" by Benedict Arnold and the Traitors; Catwoman bragging about the Joker and Penguin trying to go out with her -- but Julie's iconic performance is like ... catnip for me!
If you feature a "Getaway Rocket", though, you've got to use it.
"Are they birds?" "Are they planes?" "No, they're cat burglars!"
Fanservice Junction: As if Julie weren't enough, we also have a young and cute James Brolin as the armored card driver, and Edy Williams as the sexy waitress at the Pink Sandbox. But back to Julie -- I just love how her leg twitched when Catwoman got excited. That happened all the time with my cat!
Jay S.
The name of a mid-60s rock group being "Benedict Arnold and the Traitors" is friggin' hilarious.
Me
It's an idea strong enough for an episode of its own. I just don't like the idea that Aunt Harriet went to the Pink Sandbox. Especially since it's implied she went by herself. A place with go-go dancing and waitresses dressed as cats doesn't seem right for her.
Unless, of course, she was on a date with Chief O'Hara.
Jay S.
Kind of surprising they didn't have a rock-star spoof villain, or a psychedelic-type like The Groovy Guru on Get Smart.
Unless I'm forgetting someone, the main musical villain they had was Liberace
Me
I know, right? Something to add for the imaginary NBC season.
Can't wait for that Liberace episode ...
Evil Lincoln
I wonder if it occurred to the producers of Gotham to have the actress playing the teenage Catwoman check out Julie Newmar's definitive performance in the role, or if they thought that would be way too much pressure to put on a young actress, to try to match THAT level of playful hotness.
Me
Ooh, so the Gotham girl isn't very good? I bring it up because I'm finding myself in awe of Newmar with each new episode. Even the slightly slurred voice conveys the right degree of feral behavior.
This is also why I enjoyed Michelle Pfeiffer's take so much (and would put her a respectable second), the animal quality. I'll have to pay close attention if Eartha has that. I remember her mostly for the self-parody, which fits into how Batman was toward the end. But does it work for Catwoman?
Evil Lincoln
The actress who plays Selina on Gotham is certainly not the world's greatest or most subtle actress. I like her in that role though. She sells the feral animal grace of the character I think, and also has an interesting chemistry with the actor who plays the future Batman. You get a sense that she enjoys f***ing with him, but there is something else real between them as well, but she is ill-equipped to really admit or express that, so her way of dealing with it is frequently to lash out.
Me
A-ha. Sounds promising to me. Tell me, how is the Oswald Cobblepot?
Evil Lincoln
Robin Lord Taylor as Cobblepot is probably the standout performance on Gotham so far, for me. He really sells the character's weird, vicious menace, but also his constant play-acting and manipulation. Sadly though the Penguin character is mostly stuck in the show's dire mob politics storyline, sometimes crossing over to the almost as bad Gotham PD corruption storyline.
Meanwhile the best storyline--the future Batman investigating his parents' murder, with help from Sean Pertwee's Alfred and sometimes Selina, is lucky if it is the C storyline most episodes.
John Carter
I think it's a good performance. She doesn't really affect a purr, though.
Let us rejoice! For Vincent Price is upon us! He’s a load of fun as Egghead, who seeks to restore Gotham to its rightful owner, Chief Screaming Chicken (Edward Everett Horton!), so he’ll get access of the city treasury and its $30 million on hand. Egghead was created for the series, and I’m sure a number of comics purists howled every time Price made one of his egg-agerated remarks, but for the most part, I enjoyed these episodes.
Different Times: The depiction of Chief Chicken, who runs a blanket concession by the side of the highway, appreciates Batman’s knowledge of the “traditional Mohican greeting” (which includes circling one another and exchanging pinkie swears) and talks like Elmo. This is on the borderline of taste, but I’ll give the show credit for acknowledging the racial prejudice the Chief’s facing. He applied for a dishwashing position, and was told to go back to his own country.
Luckily, there’s more comedy than usual in these episodes, such as Batman & Robin being exposed to laughing gas (and having to take “sad pills” to diminish the effects), the new police ignoring such offenses as fleeing robbers and on-air muggings of newsmen, or the egg-throwing fight at Old MacDonald’s farm, which was supposedly the crew’s chance to let out tensions with an increasingly bratty Burt Ward (although Robin doesn’t get pelted with as many eggs as To the Batpoles would have me believe, or much of that fight ended up on the cutting room floor).
Cool Cliffhanger: Egghead has figured that Batman must be a millionaire in real life, and intends to egg-stract a confession from Bruce, who reveals to Dick that he’s able to compartmentalize his mind regarding his dual identities. This kinda helps my pet theory that while Batman & Robin are straight, Bruce & Dick are gay.
Fanservice Junction: Gail Hire as Egghead’s secretary/semi-girlfriend Miss Bacon, who’s hoping to spend her share of the $30 million on a palace guard, “You know, one of those men who won’t giggle if you tickle them.”
These episodes were written by Stanley Ralph Ross, from a story by Ed Self, son of 20th Century Fox executive William Self. According to Batpoles, Ed Self was able to join the WGA after this episode, and Ross was responsible for the egg humor, the result of studying a thesaurus.
Citizen at the Window: Jose Jimenez (Bill Dana), who’s the foreman of a jury that’s reached a decision. “Fellas, could you leave the ropes?"
In case anyone wondered, Gotham was founded when members of the Savage, Tyler and Wayne families traded three raccoon pelts each with Chief Chicken’s ancestor. Every five years, the routine is repeated, although Bruce has gotten around the process of slaughtering an animal by buying a fur coat off a crooner from the 1920s who fell on hard times.
From one unique personality to another … that’s right, boys and girls, it’s Liberace! And in not one, but two roles! Yes, he plays acclaimed pianist Chandell and his no-good he-man brother Harry! And you get to see the duo in a number of hilariously obvious split-screen shots!
Chandell has a deep dark secret. No, not that one. He’s been faking his piano skills ever since a lid-closing accident (and still having the nerve to perform before the president!), and his trio of molls are secretly allied with Harry. What characterization … what nuance … what kitsch!
This ended up being a great installment for Madge Blake, as Aunt Harriet is involved in the brothers’ scheme. Chandell intends to marry Harriet for the money she’ll inherit once Bruce & Dick are out of the way. What follows are some touchingly awkward love scenes between Blake & Liberace (why, they even share root beer!), and the spectacle of her caterwauling through a performance of “Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life”. If you get a chance, run over to To the Batpoles, which features a sweet thank you note and poem she wrote William Dozier.
I know Gordon & O’Hara’s abilities as policemen have severely atrophied, but really, revealing confidential information (that Batman & Robin are out of town) to a suspect, as Chandell was at the time?
Cool Cliffhanger: Batman and Robin are strapped to the conveyor of a perforating machine for piano rolls, which Batman outsmarts by singing, with Robin, the right notes to outline but not puncture their bodies.
The comedy continues, as Aunt Harriet has figured out there’s something up with Chandell from his kiss … namely that he’s really Harry. And she proceeds to confront him with a gun! And it’s all played relatively straight, which helps immensely.
According to To the Batpoles, these episodes were Batman’s highest-rated, thanks to Liberace's loyal fans. Speaking of Lee, he brought his own piano and costumes.
“Life, a cup full of surprises to the end.”
Fanservice Junction: Marilyn Hanold, Edy Williams and Sivi Aberg as Chandell’s angels, who first appear dressed as Scottish lasses -- http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u... – then show up as Balinese dancers. Hanold gets the most to do, playing the knockout note on her bagpipes.
m0nit0rman
I'm pretty sure Franko is, in reality, a classroom full of ritalin-fueled adolescents, but I really appreciate all the hard work and dedication he's (they've) shown.
(One more post is coming soon.)
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