"The Sandman Cometh" was originally scripted as a single villain outing for actor Robert Morley (David Tomlinson also turned it down), the Sandman a Continental arch criminal come to Gotham City to lay claim to the billion dollar fortune of much married noodle queen J. Pauline Spaghetti (Spring Byington). Julie Newmar was available for an extra Catwoman commitment, and this was the two parter into which the character was shoehorned, she and Sandman teaming up to obtain the Spaghetti billions, each plotting to double cross the other once they get it. Catwoman poses as a Sleeping Beauty in a store window, Gypsy Rose Lee's unbilled newscaster allowing her to advertise the sleep inducing prowess of a certain Dr. Somnambula, the bait for insomniac J. Pauline Spaghetti, who last enjoyed a doze seven years earlier at a rock concert! Sandman easily gains her confidence, and with a whiff of sand becomes his sleepwalking slave, showing him where to find her private bank book. Batman and Robin catch up to him and his pasty faced goons inside the store where Catwoman took her catnap, Robin falling into a sand trap, Batman ready to be perforated with holes by a stitching machine.
3 Reviews
Filled With Colourful Bits
StuOz10 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Catwoman (Julie Newmar) and the Sandman (Michael Rennie) team up.
This is a fine two-parter with all sorts of colourful little bits all over place, often coming from the acting of Newmar.
Three other bits come to mind:
1- I am a sucker for the cliff-hanger narrations but this one is a gem, helped along by some energetic Nelson Riddle music playing over it.
2- Part two has Robin in a deadly maze and when Robin is electrocuted you hear a sound effect often heard in Lost In Space and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.
3- Part two has one of season two's greatest comedy moments and it comes from the most unexpected source: a young James Brolin playing an ingnorant cop.
Michael Rennie does his best to get into the silly tone of the adventure, but frankly, he seemed more at home in deadly serious sci-fi roles in Lost In Space, The Time Tunnel and QM's The Invaders (all from the mid-1960s).
But all things considered, this is a knockout two-parter filled with colourful bits.
This is a fine two-parter with all sorts of colourful little bits all over place, often coming from the acting of Newmar.
Three other bits come to mind:
1- I am a sucker for the cliff-hanger narrations but this one is a gem, helped along by some energetic Nelson Riddle music playing over it.
2- Part two has Robin in a deadly maze and when Robin is electrocuted you hear a sound effect often heard in Lost In Space and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.
3- Part two has one of season two's greatest comedy moments and it comes from the most unexpected source: a young James Brolin playing an ingnorant cop.
Michael Rennie does his best to get into the silly tone of the adventure, but frankly, he seemed more at home in deadly serious sci-fi roles in Lost In Space, The Time Tunnel and QM's The Invaders (all from the mid-1960s).
But all things considered, this is a knockout two-parter filled with colourful bits.
ENTER THE SINISTER DR. SOMNAMBULA!
tcchelsey27 January 2024
IF anything -- you have to love the character names here.
10 Stars. Real campy.
According to notes, interestingly, Julie Newmar was available to play the Catwoman in another episode so guest star Robert Morley got bumped out! That is a shame. However, tall and creepy Michael Rennie (THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL) got the job as the diabolical international criminal called the Sandman. He is so into this role.
Master Plan: Team with the Catwoman to get the billions belonging to famed noodle queen J. Pauline Spaghetti??? Pauline is played to the hilt by Spring Byington, veteran movie actress, who was the Betty White of the 50s and 60s. She was everywhere on tv at the time and is a trip to watch.
The Sandman puts Pauline under his spell, now playing shifty Dr. Somnanbula! What a smooth character, who actually wants all her mazuma for himself. A work of art.
Co-written by Ellis St. Joseph who in a few years would write the cult film, THE CHRISTINE JORGENSEN STORY. Look for the famous stripper Gypsy Rose Lee playing a newscaster? At the time she guest starred in the popular comedy film, THE TROUBLE WITH ANGELS, starring Rosaline Russell.
Outstanding and in restored color. SEASON 2 EPISODE 33 A big thank you to ME TV for the Saturday night reruns.
10 Stars. Real campy.
According to notes, interestingly, Julie Newmar was available to play the Catwoman in another episode so guest star Robert Morley got bumped out! That is a shame. However, tall and creepy Michael Rennie (THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL) got the job as the diabolical international criminal called the Sandman. He is so into this role.
Master Plan: Team with the Catwoman to get the billions belonging to famed noodle queen J. Pauline Spaghetti??? Pauline is played to the hilt by Spring Byington, veteran movie actress, who was the Betty White of the 50s and 60s. She was everywhere on tv at the time and is a trip to watch.
The Sandman puts Pauline under his spell, now playing shifty Dr. Somnanbula! What a smooth character, who actually wants all her mazuma for himself. A work of art.
Co-written by Ellis St. Joseph who in a few years would write the cult film, THE CHRISTINE JORGENSEN STORY. Look for the famous stripper Gypsy Rose Lee playing a newscaster? At the time she guest starred in the popular comedy film, THE TROUBLE WITH ANGELS, starring Rosaline Russell.
Outstanding and in restored color. SEASON 2 EPISODE 33 A big thank you to ME TV for the Saturday night reruns.
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