Batman (1966) – The Puzzles Are Coming, and The Duo Is Slumming

With Frank Gorshin held up in contract negotiations over his performance of The Riddler, the series had to create a new villain for this two-part story. Enter The Puzzler. Played by Maurice Evans, the character has a knack for aviation and Shakespeare (and puzzles) and he seems to be in Gotham City to stir up…

Batman (1966) – The Penguin’s Nest, and The Bird’s Last Jest

The Penguin (Burgess Meredith) returns to Gotham City, but Batman (Adam West) and Robin’s (Burt Ward) alter-egos of Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson are shocked to discover that he seems to be going on the straight and narrow and is currently running a high-end restaurant that has the weird touch of having the customers write…

Batman (1966) – Green Ice, and Deep Freeze

We are introduced to a new Mr. Freeze (Otto Preminger) in this week’s story which was written by Max Hodge. The first part, Green Ice, debuted on 9 November, 1966. But the most interesting thing to watch is Burt Ward as Robin. His right arm spends most of the two part-story in a bandage having…

Batman (1966) – Hizzonner The Penguin, and Dizzoner The Penguin

The Penguin (Burgess Meredith) is back in this two-part story written by Stanford Sherman. The first part, Hizzonner The Penguin aired on 2 November, 1966. So The Penguin is back in Gotham City, and not only has he gone straight, he’s thrown his hat into the political arena to be mayor (Holy Shades of Batman…

Batman (1966) – The Devil’s Fingers, and The Dead Ringers

Liberace?! Yup, Liberace. The renowned pianist and entertainer shows up as this story’s villain, Harry, as well as the villain’s entertainer twin brother, Chandell, who is being blackmailed by Harry. A series of musical crimes are striking Gotham City in this two-part story which was written by Lorenzo Semple Jr. The first part, The Devil’s…

Batman (1966) – The Spell of Tut, and Tut’s Case is Shut

King Tut (Victor Buono) is back, it seems that the academic recovery restored in his previous appearance didn’t take, and he’s back with a dangerous new plan. Written by Robert C. Dennis and Earl Barret, this first part of the two-part story first aired on 28 September, 1966. He’s focused on stealing some amber jewels…

Batman (1966) – The Minstrel’s Shakedown, and Barbecued Batman?

Batman (Adam West) and Robin (Burt Ward) encounter an all-new villain when The Minstrel (Van Johnson) arrives in town. A talented singer and an electronic genius, he leans his talents toward villainy! This two-parter was written by Francis M. Cockrell and Marian B. Cockrell, with the first instalment, The Minitrel’s Shakedown, first airing on 21…