This early December 1966 outing of Batman, starring Burgess Meredith as the Penguin, is definitely one of the better episodes of this sophomore season. Granted, this is not on a par with Season One episodes, but Lorenzo Semple Jr. does manage to provide something very entertaining.
In this episode, we see Batman and Robin free Chief O'Hara from the cliffhanger; while this is semi-goofy, there is also real danger involving guns. Watch also for a reference to Moldavia, something that figures prominently in the first episode, which Mr. Semple wrote.
The last scene, involving Ballpoint Baxter (fellow writer Stanley Ralph Ross) getting parole and working for the Wayne Foundation, is also a reference to the episode Mr. Semple penned that featured Anne Baxter as Zelda the Great.
And the story arc has two references to The Addams Family: Ted Cassidy as Lurch in the first episode (cameo) and Vito Scotti, who had the recurring role of Sam Picasso in the 1964-66 series, as well as other roles.
I took off a couple of points for some of the excessive campiness, but overall, this outing deserves the solid "8" because of Mr. Semple, as well as the excellent supporting cast (Gloria Gaynor, Mr. Scotti, James O'Hara et al).
In this episode, we see Batman and Robin free Chief O'Hara from the cliffhanger; while this is semi-goofy, there is also real danger involving guns. Watch also for a reference to Moldavia, something that figures prominently in the first episode, which Mr. Semple wrote.
The last scene, involving Ballpoint Baxter (fellow writer Stanley Ralph Ross) getting parole and working for the Wayne Foundation, is also a reference to the episode Mr. Semple penned that featured Anne Baxter as Zelda the Great.
And the story arc has two references to The Addams Family: Ted Cassidy as Lurch in the first episode (cameo) and Vito Scotti, who had the recurring role of Sam Picasso in the 1964-66 series, as well as other roles.
I took off a couple of points for some of the excessive campiness, but overall, this outing deserves the solid "8" because of Mr. Semple, as well as the excellent supporting cast (Gloria Gaynor, Mr. Scotti, James O'Hara et al).
