"The Cat and the Fiddle" finds the Dynamic Duo avoiding a bat fry by turning the magnifying glasses just far enough to burn through their bonds, after which they're off to find Julie Newmar's Catwoman. Julie gets to do double duty, as the felonious feline impersonates elderly recluse Miss Minerva Matthews, unable to avoid flirting with the armored car driver, Ralph Staphylococcus (James Brolin, later seen in "The Catwoman Goeth" and "Ring Around the Riddler") by squeezing his arm. The top floor of Gotham State Building, 102 stories up, is the final destiny for Catwoman, where two priceless Stradivarius violins (eight pieces of cat gut), along with $500,000 proves to be her undoing. Jack Kelly plays unpopular columnist Jack O'Shea, like all her goons lamenting that he can't get closer to the curvaceous kitten (George N. Neise would be back in the final episode, "Minerva, Mayhem, and Millionaires"). Julie has a field day in her Minerva disguise, but as the episode concludes we're allowed to see Catwoman's vulnerability as her fondness for Batman becomes even more pronounced. The final scene takes place after her trial, cheek touching cheek before leaving, Commissioner Gordon remarking that Batman is blushing! He blames it on the heat, and viewers were not a bit surprised, as things would get even hotter between the Cat and the Bat (her next appearance would be a cameo in "Ma Parker," prior to her next caper in "The Cat's Meow").
6 Reviews
Perhaps The Cat's Meow is Purrfect
DKosty12322 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I liked all the cat women in this series and this part 2 i one of Newmar's good ones. She has enlisted a lot of allies and has figured out the ultimate cat plot - steal a half million cold cash and 2 priceless violins. She subdues and disguises herself as a little old eccentric millionaire who looks much like a lot of bag ladies look on the street.
Batman appears to be a step or two behind, never needing to worry about cat ching up because he figures out her schemes with the help of her clues and his wits. The seeming affair between Batman and Cat Woman gets hotter and hotter in each episode of this series.
From a solar eclipse and Batman's wits saving the duo from frying on a hot tin roof, to the perilous heights of the caper, this one is pretty exciting. One TV flaw is that in a 102 story building the cars in the backdrop looking down from there are much too big.
This episode does show the dynamic duo putting on their seat belts, but it is not shown every time they jump in the bat-mobile and take off. Still, this show did help starting to transform public opinion towards using belts when they drive.
As Batman sends Catwoman to prison again, the parting embrace is poignant indeed. Stay tuned for the next embraces, same Cat Time, Same Cat Channel.
Batman appears to be a step or two behind, never needing to worry about cat ching up because he figures out her schemes with the help of her clues and his wits. The seeming affair between Batman and Cat Woman gets hotter and hotter in each episode of this series.
From a solar eclipse and Batman's wits saving the duo from frying on a hot tin roof, to the perilous heights of the caper, this one is pretty exciting. One TV flaw is that in a 102 story building the cars in the backdrop looking down from there are much too big.
This episode does show the dynamic duo putting on their seat belts, but it is not shown every time they jump in the bat-mobile and take off. Still, this show did help starting to transform public opinion towards using belts when they drive.
As Batman sends Catwoman to prison again, the parting embrace is poignant indeed. Stay tuned for the next embraces, same Cat Time, Same Cat Channel.
Catwoman ! Yes !!
bbcds14 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Another great appearance by Julie Newmar. A really enjoyable episode here as usual whenever we get to see the catsuit.
A few things we notice in this episode. The giant magnifying glasses don't burn anything at first.
Next, the Bat Rope used to rescue Catwoman was perfectly tiny enough to cut her in half.
We also see a 26 year old James Brolin as a driver.
Lastly, in the Commissioner's office as Catwoman is walking away, Robin asks if they have seen the end of her. Seems like an innuendo as they were all watching her butt as she left !
A few things we notice in this episode. The giant magnifying glasses don't burn anything at first.
Next, the Bat Rope used to rescue Catwoman was perfectly tiny enough to cut her in half.
We also see a 26 year old James Brolin as a driver.
Lastly, in the Commissioner's office as Catwoman is walking away, Robin asks if they have seen the end of her. Seems like an innuendo as they were all watching her butt as she left !
CATWOMAN RETURNS WITH A GREAT EPISODE
asalerno1022 June 2022
In this first appearance of Catwoman in the second season, we see how the villain incorporates three criminals into her gang whom she instructs to give her big hit, first she catches the dynamic duo and places them on two grills with gigantic magnifying glasses that will enhance the rays solar panels to burn them up and then impersonate an eccentric and multimillionaire old woman to seize three valuable stradivarius violins. The chapter is extremely funny, Julie shines as Minerva Mathews and the writers wrote an intelligent script full of gags.
Holy Look-a-Like, Batman!
SpartacusSuperBowl9 May 2021
GET ME ZUBIN ZUCCHINI ON THE PHONE!
tcchelsey11 November 2023
You have to admit writer Stanley Ralph Ross had a blast coming up with over the top character names. Best one yet is the armored car driver called Ralph Staphylococcus, played by young James Brolin, his third appearance on the show.
Of course, the crafty Catwoman can't help but flirt with Ralph --also keeping her eyes on Zubin Zucchini's two priceless violins at the same time.
Actually, it's the violins that's her downfall. The Catwoman disguises herself (and extremely well!) as wealthy, reclusive Minerva Matthews, who is interested in purchasing the violins, at a mere $250,000 each.
But it's more fun to steal than pay, and the violins are a lure, which trips up the Catwoman big time. Ross, who wrote 27 episodes in all, has a lot of fun with this episode and the sets and colors are fabtastic as usual.
TV western star Jack Kelly returns as Jack O'Shea. Zucchini is played by veteran actor David Fresco, who generally played "older" characters, much older than his real age. He was everywhere on tv, usually cast as barbers, waiters and clerks. Also look for George N. Neise (as Douglas), another popular actor, both as good and bad guys.
I agree with the last reviewer, this episode is a real camp classic as it shows "another" side of Batman, who kind of, ever so gradually, is falling for Catwoman. It's incredible to watch these two as lovesick frenemies??? This obviously was done by Ross to put a little soap opera in between all the adventure. Very clever stuff!
Do not miss the gigantic magnifying glass torture chamber! An original BATMAN torture device if there ever was one. Well directed by Don Weis, who also directed GHOST IN THE INVISIBLE BIKINI around the same time.
10 plus stars. SEASON 2 EPISODE 4 remastered dvd box set.
Of course, the crafty Catwoman can't help but flirt with Ralph --also keeping her eyes on Zubin Zucchini's two priceless violins at the same time.
Actually, it's the violins that's her downfall. The Catwoman disguises herself (and extremely well!) as wealthy, reclusive Minerva Matthews, who is interested in purchasing the violins, at a mere $250,000 each.
But it's more fun to steal than pay, and the violins are a lure, which trips up the Catwoman big time. Ross, who wrote 27 episodes in all, has a lot of fun with this episode and the sets and colors are fabtastic as usual.
TV western star Jack Kelly returns as Jack O'Shea. Zucchini is played by veteran actor David Fresco, who generally played "older" characters, much older than his real age. He was everywhere on tv, usually cast as barbers, waiters and clerks. Also look for George N. Neise (as Douglas), another popular actor, both as good and bad guys.
I agree with the last reviewer, this episode is a real camp classic as it shows "another" side of Batman, who kind of, ever so gradually, is falling for Catwoman. It's incredible to watch these two as lovesick frenemies??? This obviously was done by Ross to put a little soap opera in between all the adventure. Very clever stuff!
Do not miss the gigantic magnifying glass torture chamber! An original BATMAN torture device if there ever was one. Well directed by Don Weis, who also directed GHOST IN THE INVISIBLE BIKINI around the same time.
10 plus stars. SEASON 2 EPISODE 4 remastered dvd box set.
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