User Reviews

The Riddler plunges into the world of boxing. His plan is to kidnap the most famous boxers and with the collaboration of a new villain called the Siren turn them into zombies. When Batman discovers his plan, the villain challenges him to a duel in a ring in a dirty tricky fight. In this third season, the production cut the budget and it shows, not only because the series was reduced to a weekly broadcast, but also because the sets were almost nil, just a couple of doors with no wall to hold them and a black background was enough. To create the atmosphere of a gym. This is one of only two appearances this season for Aunt Harriet, as Madge Blake was in poor health and had virtually retired from acting.

The return of original Riddler Frank Gorshin makes this second Batgirl worth watching, though the budget cuts for the third season are far more pronounced in the lack of proper sets. The plot is hardly worthy of The Riddler, trying to goad Batman into the ring in order to corner the boxing market at Gotham Square Garden, with James Brolin as reigning local champ Kid Gulliver, and unbilled silent cameos from real life boxers Jerry Quarry, Paul Rojas, and Armando Ramos, all playing themselves (Madge Blake shows up as Aunt Harriet only as a spectator for the big fight). The Riddler's moll is played by former child actress Peggy Ann Garner, special Oscar-winner for 1945's "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," and there is a memorable appearance from Joan Collins as The Siren, setting up the next episode's caper. It may have been 17 months since his previous series appearance, but Gorshin shows that he's lost none of his giggling zeal in the role, and exits in high spirits.

Frank Gorshin returns as The Riddler.

After last week's mighty season opener (and intro to Batgirl) this little chapter is missing a bit of the punch we got last week. However, Frank Gorshin is clearly having a ball playing The Riddler again (after he was briefly replaced last season), it is always nice to see Joan Collins (The Siren) and an Irwin Allen-fan like me is always happy to hear a Lost In Space sound effect (when The Riddler seems to vanish into thin air).

I am okay with the fast pace of season three, in fact I enjoy it very much, but when we see Batman and Robin climb a building without the usual famous face sticking his/her head out for a wonderfully pointless chat, I found myself wanting season one/two again.

But all things considered, despite some painfully cheap sets...Ring Around The Riddler is a lot of fun.