The Bookworm Turns delivers two great things in this episode. The first is the famous head-out-the-window cameos that would become a highlight of the series. As Batman (Adam West) and Robin (Burt Ward) scale walls, Gotham City residents would stick their heads out to see what was going on, this first one features Jerry Lewis. The other great thing about this story is that it features Roddy McDowall as the guest villain, The Bookworm.

Written by Henrik Vollaerts, this episode premiered on 20 April, 1966.

During the dedication of a new bridge, it appears that Commissioner Gordon (Neil Hamilton) is assassinated, something orchestrated by The Bookworm. The Caped Crusaders show up at police headquarters only to have Gordon walk in the door.

What is The Bookworm up to? Steeped in literary references twisted for use in Bookworm’s plans the Dynamic Duo has to track down Bookworm to learn what the master criminal is up to. When the pair track the villains down, Batman reminds us to never hit a man with glasses on just before they find themselves walking into the cliffhanger trap spurred on by Bookworm’s moll, Lydia (Francine York) – it seems that Bookworm is planning on stealing the Declaration of Independence!

But Batman knows it’s a trap and heads off, while Robin stays with Lydia keeping her company, and falls into a trap of his own that sees the Boy Wonder strung up inside a giant bell inside a clock tower awaiting the ringing of the hour… for whom the bell tolls.

While Gotham City Burns aired the following night on 21 April, 1966 and was also written by Vollaerts.

Batman through some fantastic deductions and some basic electronics is able to save Robin, after not reaching the trap that was set for him. But Bookworm is ready for them, stealing a book from Wayne Mansion, and setting a trap for them in the middle of a Gotham City street in the form of a giant cookbook, with a kitchen inside it, which traps them when Bookworm trips it.

Bookworm and Lydia steal the batmobile, a key to their plan, needing the use of the gadgets within. He plans to break into the vault at the Gotham City Library and steal some rare folios.

Batman and Robin are able to escape thanks to Alfred (Alan Napier) and the Batcave anti-crime computer and thanks to the hidden microphone in the Batmobile the heroes are able to foil the baddies and stop them once and for all (sadly McDowall never reprised the role, it just never worked out).

Batman’s alter-ego, Bruce Wayne makes a generous donation to the prison library so that Bookworm will have lots to read while he’s locked away.

McDowall is so great! He’s such a wonderful actor, and it’s too bad he didn’t get the chance to take on the role again in later seasons.

Let’s see what the Dynamic Duo gets up to next time!!