Julie Newmar returns as The Catwoman in the second story of season two. This two-parter was written by Stanley Ralph Ross and part one, Hot Off the Griddle, first aired on 14 September, 1966.

Catwoman is stalking the streets of late-night Gotham and has made a number of interesting thefts which catch the attention of Commissioner Gordon (Neil Hamilton) who reaches out (without pause or thinking the police can handle it) to Batman (Adam West) and Robin (Burt Ward).

The pair are determined to lay a trap for the feline thief, but their use of a duplicitous gossip reporter, O’Shea (Jack Kelly) backfires on them, and after a round of fisticuffs, Catwoman and her thugs are able to make an escape.

But through some investigation and a truly horrific dance by Aunt Harriet (Madge Blake), Batman discovers The Pink Sandbox, a new hep club that may just be a cover for Catwoman’s hideout. Off they go, and I got to see something that made me laugh out loud – Batman and Robin sitting in a restaurant booth going over a menu.

It’s such an absurd image.

But they’ve stumbled into a trap set for them by Catwoman and soon find themselves strapped to griddles with magnifying glasses ready to burn them to a crisp.

How will the Caped Crusaders escape this calamity?

I really like Newmar’s turn as Catwoman, she’s incredibly watchable and sensual, and she just seems to be having a really good time with the role, and you believe her Catwoman has a bit of a thing for Bats.

The Cat and The Fiddle aired the following night on 15 September, 1966. And this time, we actually get to see our heroes actually escape from their trap. They are able to move the magnifying glasses threatening to crisp them to angle toward their bindings and are able to burn themselves free.

Nice.

Our heroes regroup and have almost figured out Catwoman’s grand scheme. She plans to steal two Stradivarius violins, as well as the money being used to buy them – the cat tie-in to the violins is the catgut of the strings.

Batman sets off after her, Robin is noticeably absent, and Catwoman has disguised herself as a wealthy recluse, Minerva Matthews, who plans to buy the violins.

As the deal between the disguised Catwoman and the rich old man selling the violins gets underway, she escalates things by revealing herself under the costume, claiming the money and the violins!

But wait! That’s no old man, that’s Robin! Now if he can only hold off Catwoman’s thugs, including O’Shea until Batman arrives. Catwoman isn’t intent on waiting and is trying to jumpstart her getaway rocket while the Dynamic Duo delivers punches and kicks around her.

When the rocket fails, Catwoman attempts to sneak out the window, but the height is too much for her, and Batman has to rescue her before he is pushed out the window by O’Shea. They end up in a clinch as Robin pulls them to safety.

Caught, Catwoman slinks off to jail, though there’s definitely a hint of flirtatious byplay between her and Batman before she’s taken away.

There were lots of fun things in this story, but the thing that really stuck, besides the restaurant booth, was Alfred (Alan Napier) making the pair a bagged lunch to take with them to keep their energy up on the job.

Oh! And watch for a very young James Brolin as an Armored Truck Driver with a great name!