"Green Ice" marked the return of Mister Freeze, the former Doctor Shivel who was accidentally doused in freezing solution by Batman and must now live in conditions of 50 degrees below zero. With original Freeze George Sanders unavailable, tyrannical director Otto Preminger virtually begged for the part, and of the three actors who played the role, truly does embody the character better than Sanders or Eli Wallach. This also qualifies as the best plot of the three two parters, Freeze still out to destroy Batman, but also to tarnish his crime fighting reputation by sending him 'green ice' (cold cash) in Commissioner Gordon's office, right in front of grand standing reporter Nellie Majors from the Gotham City Herald (Marie Windsor). The appearance of taking a bribe produces damning headlines, but when Bruce Wayne and his guests are robbed by the frozen fiend during a dinner party, a phony Batman and Robin show up to confirm that the Dynamic Duo is on his crooked payroll. Mister Freeze has also kidnapped beauty queen Miss Iceland (Dee Hartford), intending to bring her temperature down to his level, assuming that would make her better able to become his bride. His ultimate goal is to have the citizens of Gotham City fear and despise Batman as they despise him, but the untimely arrival of the Caped Crusaders force him to implement his plan to transform the pair into Frosty Freezies. This is not the time to chill out! The nearly 40 year old Dee Hartford, older sister of Eden Hartford (Groucho's third wife) displays a fabulously stunning figure in her one piece bathing suit, while Byron Keith makes the sixth of his ten appearances as Mayor Linseed. Like the Sanders two parter from the first season, this was scripted by Max Hodge, the only ones he wrote for the series.
3 Reviews
Knockout Two-Parter
StuOz11 March 2018
Mr Freeze (Otto Preminger) appears.
As explained in the IMDb trivia for this episode, Burt Ward (Robin) spends sections of this episode with his arm in bandage. He and Adam West (Batman) make attempts to hide the bandage from viewers watching. For years I watched and re-watched this episode with out actually picking up that any of this was going on. But when IMDb let the cat out of the bag a few years back, now when I watch the early scenes the only thing I am looking at are the obvious attempts to hide Burt's bandage! Then again, I do work in the film/TV industry, so maybe this sort of behind-the-scenes stuff just grabs me more than it does with others?
But away from this, Green Ice is a knockout two-parter and that scene at the hijacked dinner party is without question one of season two's greatest moments!
As explained in the IMDb trivia for this episode, Burt Ward (Robin) spends sections of this episode with his arm in bandage. He and Adam West (Batman) make attempts to hide the bandage from viewers watching. For years I watched and re-watched this episode with out actually picking up that any of this was going on. But when IMDb let the cat out of the bag a few years back, now when I watch the early scenes the only thing I am looking at are the obvious attempts to hide Burt's bandage! Then again, I do work in the film/TV industry, so maybe this sort of behind-the-scenes stuff just grabs me more than it does with others?
But away from this, Green Ice is a knockout two-parter and that scene at the hijacked dinner party is without question one of season two's greatest moments!
OTTO PREMINGER IS.... MR. FREEZE!
tcchelsey2 December 2023
Probably due to his many over the top interviews on tv talk shows, and director Otto Preminger was in a world of his own, he no doubt won the part of one of the most campy and unforgettable Batman villains, MR. FREEZE. And he is sooo much fun to watch.
As a result of a laboratory accident, Mr. Freeze (actually Dr. Shivel) had no choice but wear an insulated suit that was intricately set at a mere 50 degrees below zero. This may be one of the reasons the good doctor tended to be a bit irritable at the world at times!
Diabolical Mr. Freeze returns to Gotham City to begin "Operation Hate Batman," and everything really, really bad that comes with it. First and foremost, he plans to ruin the caped crusader's reputation once and for all. And if all else fails -- destroy him.
This is also the famous episode where you can see a bandage on Burt Ward's (Robin) arm, the result of yet another trip to the ER. Ward, in later years, said that Adam West, being the star, had a stunt double. But because he was second banana, Ward had to do all the stunts himself and often paid a high price! Translation: the producers were cheap!
In as much as Preminger got a lot fanfare from this bizarro role, behind the scenes he was very difficult to work with. Alan Napier commented that Preminger often talked down to him, like he WAS a real butler! Not a fun guy to work with, as compared to the likes of Burgess Meredith or Cesar Romero.
Two additional guest stars shine here; queen of cult films, Marie Windsor plays Nellie and popular actress Dee Hartford plays Miss Iceland! Dee appeared in such classic shows as TWILIGHT ZONE and PERRY MASON, but her claim to fame was being married to legendary director Howard Hawks.
Lots of crazy stuff packed in this episode, but Mr. Freeze steals the show. He is one of a kind you will never forget. Applause to the makeup crew for bringing to life this way incredible character.
MUST SEE TV. Season 2 Episode 19 remastered dvd box set.
As a result of a laboratory accident, Mr. Freeze (actually Dr. Shivel) had no choice but wear an insulated suit that was intricately set at a mere 50 degrees below zero. This may be one of the reasons the good doctor tended to be a bit irritable at the world at times!
Diabolical Mr. Freeze returns to Gotham City to begin "Operation Hate Batman," and everything really, really bad that comes with it. First and foremost, he plans to ruin the caped crusader's reputation once and for all. And if all else fails -- destroy him.
This is also the famous episode where you can see a bandage on Burt Ward's (Robin) arm, the result of yet another trip to the ER. Ward, in later years, said that Adam West, being the star, had a stunt double. But because he was second banana, Ward had to do all the stunts himself and often paid a high price! Translation: the producers were cheap!
In as much as Preminger got a lot fanfare from this bizarro role, behind the scenes he was very difficult to work with. Alan Napier commented that Preminger often talked down to him, like he WAS a real butler! Not a fun guy to work with, as compared to the likes of Burgess Meredith or Cesar Romero.
Two additional guest stars shine here; queen of cult films, Marie Windsor plays Nellie and popular actress Dee Hartford plays Miss Iceland! Dee appeared in such classic shows as TWILIGHT ZONE and PERRY MASON, but her claim to fame was being married to legendary director Howard Hawks.
Lots of crazy stuff packed in this episode, but Mr. Freeze steals the show. He is one of a kind you will never forget. Applause to the makeup crew for bringing to life this way incredible character.
MUST SEE TV. Season 2 Episode 19 remastered dvd box set.
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