I totally agree with the last reviewer. It was impossible to eclipse the likes of Frank Gorshin as the Riddler, but at least give the role to another beloved tv kook. And John Astin proved to be popular when cast in the role, at least it was a super surprise, and especially following Carolyn Jones in the last episode. Not to forget, Ted Cassidy (Lurch) made a cameo appearance the previous season.
The real problem here is producer William Dozier did not want to spend the extra bucks. Even with an Emmy nomination, Gorshin couldn't score a pay raise, so he was cut out of the series til further notice. More over, the show would have continued for many more seasons, but due to a fire that destroyed numerous sets after the third season, Dozier again refused to pay for anything and shut production down.
That all said, the former Gomez Addams comes off as a gentleman villain (and interesting to watch), executing another big heist and driving the caped crusaders all over the Fox and Warner Brothers backlots. Really not that bad.
BEST of the best comes at the end; the Riddler cooks up a GIGANTIC cake for Batman's "anniversary" and forces our hero and Robin to climb to the very top and step into the pink quicksand topping? Ingenious! What will happen next?
Look for master villain Martin Kosleck as Dr. Charm!
Kosleck spent a career playing over the top bad guys, usually Nazis, often portraying notorious Josef Goebbels.
Imaginatively written by William P. D'Angelo, co-producer of the series, later producer for many sitcoms. SEASON 2 EPISODE 45. Remastered color dvd box set. Part 1 and 2. 4 dvds. Released 2015. Catch the cool purple cover.
The real problem here is producer William Dozier did not want to spend the extra bucks. Even with an Emmy nomination, Gorshin couldn't score a pay raise, so he was cut out of the series til further notice. More over, the show would have continued for many more seasons, but due to a fire that destroyed numerous sets after the third season, Dozier again refused to pay for anything and shut production down.
That all said, the former Gomez Addams comes off as a gentleman villain (and interesting to watch), executing another big heist and driving the caped crusaders all over the Fox and Warner Brothers backlots. Really not that bad.
BEST of the best comes at the end; the Riddler cooks up a GIGANTIC cake for Batman's "anniversary" and forces our hero and Robin to climb to the very top and step into the pink quicksand topping? Ingenious! What will happen next?
Look for master villain Martin Kosleck as Dr. Charm!
Kosleck spent a career playing over the top bad guys, usually Nazis, often portraying notorious Josef Goebbels.
Imaginatively written by William P. D'Angelo, co-producer of the series, later producer for many sitcoms. SEASON 2 EPISODE 45. Remastered color dvd box set. Part 1 and 2. 4 dvds. Released 2015. Catch the cool purple cover.