User Reviews

I was 10 years old in 1966 when I saw the initial ABC-TV promo for Batman's debut, with the batmobile's departure from the batcave. Even before the first episode aired, I was hooked! And I don't mind admitting that The Riddler (thanks to Frank Gorshin's acting) scared the heck out of me.

Unfortunately, we only had a black and white TV. I had to call the elderly couple across the street when I wanted to watch Batman "In Color."

To this day, the two-part cliffhanger that kicked off the series, complete with flashing red batphone and sky-directed batsignal, is my favorite.

"Hi Diddle Riddle" kicked off the January 12 1966 season in colorful fashion, introducing Batman and Robin to a television landscape that had not seen any super heroes since George Reeves retired his Superman cape in 1958. The Riddler was an interesting choice as initial 'Special Guest Villain,' selected for the worried sponsors due to his normal looking appearance, lacking the elaborate makeup required for the more popular Joker or Penguin. Of course, with masterful impressionist Frank Gorshin in the role, earning himself an Emmy nomination, this Riddler is anything but 'normal,' a maniacal, energetic arch criminal who won't be satisfied just pulling off his nefarious capers unless he can outwit the Dynamic Duo in the process. No origin story to be told, the audience thrust right in the middle of the latest episode, already sure footed in its depiction of the pre credits sequence, an exploding cake revealing a clever riddle that baffles Chief O'Hara (Stafford Repp) and Gotham City's finest, leaving Neil Hamilton's Commissioner Gordon no choice but to use the red Batphone. Usually on the other end to alert his employer is Alfred (Alan Napier), trusted butler and confidante of millionaire Bruce Wayne (Adam West), who immediately rushes off with 'youthful ward' Dick Grayson (Burt Ward) for a bit of 'fishing,' a simple ruse to avert suspicion on the part of Dick's devoted aunt, Mrs. Harriet Cooper (Madge Blake). Batman relates his previous history with the Prince of Puzzlers, plotting his crimes like artichokes, one tantalizing leaf at a time, offering clues to point authorities in the wrong direction. Certainly a darker presentation than most of what would follow, with Batman swallowing a Mickey Finn at a disco, opposite the enticing Jill St. John as Riddler moll Molly, while Robin too is felled by a drugged dart, then kidnapped by the raging Riddler, upset that the Batmobile proves resistant to both theft and immolation. The cliffhanger ending is established as well, in the style of the old serials from decades past, particularly the two Columbia Batmans from 1943 and 1949. Lorenzo Semple Jr. struck all the right notes with his script (six more two parters ahead, plus the feature film), and Adam West understood immediately what was called for (Lyle Waggoner also tested for the title role). Burt Ward was a total novice in television, cast because he essentially already was everything the producers saw in Robin.

My favourite two-part episode of Batman..from the teaser in part one to the closing scene in part two, this is a knockout that is actually better directed than the 1966 Batman motion picture!

I have read the other IMDb reviews of this episode and both posters don't mention the attention grabbing Nelson Riddle music running over this hour? Other Batman websites/books in the past have also failed to give the music the attention it deserves? Well, I am going to change all that (both here and in my other Batman episode reviews). Come on guys, when The Riddler is driving around and being chased in his car are you guys not listening to the music? Even the act one non-event scene where the Batmobile pulls up and Batman answers his Batphone with The Riddler on the other end, are you guys not listening to the cool low-key music playing over such scenes? Is it just me listening?

The cool sound effects, also used in Irwin Allen television, are also worth listening to as well.

But there are regular things to enjoys was well...such as Batman, Robin and The Riddler. About the only thing I can say against this pilot is that the episode title sucks. Something more memorable would have been better.

Boo!! You have read the title and it's kinda downing the series.... BUT no the Batman series is a good series but the riddler just gets old and it goes for another episode ugh please just don't let the riddler appear again!!! So this is a wimpy episode but watch it and move on!!

First of all, BATMAN was in color! And although a lot of us kids grew up on black and white tv back in the day (could you imagine?), once we eventually got to see the caped crusaders in color it was an addiction. Today's BATMAN followers kind of scoff at the over the top antics of the tv show, compared to the dark, brooding stories today, however this was both an extremely clever and creative effort at the time, and to its credit, in reruns now topping 50 years! Could you believe it?

The series was obviously patterned after the classic 30s and 40s cliff hanger movie serials, but with a heck of a lot of more imagination, replete with campy criminals (both male and female) who became overnight stars themselves. As the series grew in popularity, it also became the "in thing" for many movie and tv stars to make guest appearances, either in gag parts or supporting roles. This may have been influenced by BURKES LAW at the time, boasting a who's who gallery of Hollywood guest stars that became its trademark.

One more thing to note is that everything clicked in remarkable fashion; BATMAN being the proverbial toy store, if not eye candy for young viewer. Case in point, the Batcave for starters, imaginative and very colorful sets coupled with outrageous plots and situations that would carry on to the next episode. And the show was run twice a week, unheard of in tv at the time. . Let us not forget the BATMOBILE, one hyped up, revolutionary machine on wheels, let alone legendary muscle car, followed by a series of equally fantastic rebuilt cars, motorcycles, boats and planes driven by both our heroes and the villain of your choice. Adam West beat out tall and handsome Lyle Waggoner for the lead, and when you come down to it, it had to be "the voice". West had that distinctive, authoritative sound, even more appealing when he donned his cape, making him the epitome of comic book heroes. I think Bert Ward was chosen to play Robin more so because he looked like a college kid, the perfect fit for a Batman apprentice in training. Also his youthful voice, compared to Adam West, made his character very relatable to all of us kids back in the day, so dreaming to be in his shoes.

The master of impersonations, Frank Gorshin became the very first cult villain on the series, portraying the wildly green clad, giggling Riddler. He played the role so freestyle (and without heavy makeup, such as Joker), he became an instant recurring character, and the only actor on the series to receive an Emmy nod. That is an interesting fact. Gorshin at the time was quite popular on tv, having just played a smooth conman slash used car salesman on THE MUNSTERS, which may have lead to his auditioning for this role. Gorshin was also doing his impersonation act in Las Vegas at the time, and it wasn't long after this episode aired, his one man act became the number one show on the strip, and a star was born.

Lovely co-star Jill St. John became the first bad girl to appear on the series playing the exceedingly sly Molly, in league with the Riddler. She also portrayed the first character to die on the show (in the second episode), just in case you're keeping notes. Jill had appeared in several movies at the time, signing a contract with Universal Pictures, but her signature role, that of Tiffany Case in the classic James Bond film, DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (1971) may have been inspired by her appearance on BATMAN. She is one tricky lady to watch, also to romance James Bond (Sean Connery). So let the games begin! The official first episode, now in restored color. Shop around for dvd and blu ray box sets as they vary in price, but its an investment in cult tv with lots of fond memories attached.

What a great start to get me interested in the series! It's so aggressively earnest it's hard not to fall in love with the show.

Taken as an actual piece of superhero based drama it's Decidedly lame; the idea of Batman being scared of a lawsuit does not really inspire a sense of awe for the character. However, taken as unintentional (is it though?) parody of the genre and the era it's pretty spot on! It really offers the best of what I was hoping for from the show. I was laughing heartily throughout at the sincerity and goofiness.

Lectures on pedestrian safety and underage bar attendance are featured. Is it meant to be a message for the kids? Batman therefore comes across more as a pedantic father figure than a formidable hero. However, he is encouraged by Robin in this behaviour rather than defied - so it's all a bit of a gleefest.

Secret fishing trips are mentioned. The homoerotic nature of the relationship between the Caped Crusader & the Boy Wonder seems to be clearly hinted at. It's delightfully awkward.

The Riddler as the debut villain is great. He's so over the top and therefore fits in perfectly with the exaggerated and campy tone of the show.

Go go dancing is in full force - even Batman himself gets into the action. This honestly couldn't feel any more 1960s! It's gloriously fun.

Answer: They're both spiked!

Got to love Frank Gorshin as the Riddler, his laugh, his facial expression and the way he leaps and jumps around makes him one of the best Riddler's in the Batman universe. The first episode of this classic series is a good introduction and the "bat dance" will always be remembered as one the episode highlights, "you sure move a mean cape Batman". I did wonder how the Riddler got the phone number of the Batphone in the Batmobile, and Batman answered it, "Batman speaking", not the old "yes Commissioner", which is how he would normally answer the phone.

The first episode and it does not introduce Batman and Robin. Establish the characters or have an origin stories as in the later movies.

You might as well walk into the middle of a continuing series. Bruce Wayne is entertaining some guests when Alfred the Butler tips him off to an important phone call.

Batman and Robin speed off and catch what looks like the Riddler being involved in a robbery at gunpoint.

Batman assaults him and it seems he got the wrong end of a stick. The gun was a lighter and the Riddler was taking his own money out. The press has taken photos and the Riddler will sue Batman. At court Batman will have to take off his mask.

There are more riddles as Batman ends up dancing in a groovy bar. The Roddler wants to steal the Batmobile.

I watched repeats as a kid It is hard to take this seriously, it is just so silly and stupid.

Batman will have to take off his mask at court. So would the Riddler!