As I write this, the '60's 'Batman' series is being repeated for what feels like the millionth time. There is a good reason why its repeats are still with us - it is a marvellous show. It could have been called 'post-modern ironic' had that pretentious term existed in 1966. Hopefully I.T.V.-4 will show all three seasons ( B.B.C-4 had it last, but cut it short after only two ). It hails from the same wonderful, mad era of U.S. television that gave us 'Star Trek', 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E', 'The Monkees' and 'Get Smart'. Colour had recently arrived, and 'Batman' was well placed to take advantage of the medium. The sets, costumes, special effects, and action sequences look great to this day. Besides, after enduring the sheer hell of 'The Dark Knight' ( whoever who have thought 'Batman' could get so depressing? ) on D.V.D. recently, it comes a blessed relief. It is unashamedly campy and I love it to bits. Those who dismiss it as 'cheesy' are missing the point.
'Fine Finny Fiends' was the opening instalment of the two-part season finale. Bruce Wayne's loyal butler, Alfred ( Alan Napier ) goes to a fish store to buy caviar for the upcoming Millionaires Annual Dinner Dance only to be kidnapped by the Penguin ( Burgess Meredith ). Batman and Robin are concerned not only for the fate of their friend, but also because he knows their secret identities. The Penguin wants to know the location of the dance, but Alfred does not know it, so the wily old bird lets him go, albeit in a brainwashed state. Batman suddenly notices his butler twitching involuntarily for no apparent reason...
Scripted by Sheldon Stark, this was directed by Tom Gries, later to make the films 'Will Penny' and 'Breakheart Pass'.
We can only guess at how much fun the cast and crew must have had making this show. The writers were fond of getting saucy jokes past the censor - the 'Catwoman' episodes make endless 'pussy' references for example. There is a curious little scene here - Finella ( the beautiful Julie Gregg ), the Penguin's moll, is bent over whilst wearing a revealing swim-suit, and behind her are two men puffing and panting as they operate a bellows. The sexual overtones are unmistakable. Scenes like that were fun for adults while the kids ( me included ) were happy to lap up the adventure content.
The episode ends with the usual cliffhanger - here its Batman and Robin trapped in a room with with the air being pumped out by the Penguin's goons. Will they escape? Of course they will!
Before I sign off, a quick mention of new B.B.C.-1 controller Danny Cohen's recent interview in 'The Radio Times'. Asked why he had axed the hit drama 'Lark Rise To Candleford', he replied: "We've got lots of exciting new projects lined up!". Sounds impressive until you recall that, back in 1991, 'Eldorado' was also described as 'an exciting new project'. Responding to complaints about squeezed closing credits, he then said: "We've got to get the balance right" which is the kind of reply you usually only ever get from Government ministers when their departments come under fire for wasteful spending. Balance between what exactly, Mr.Cohen? People hate the practice of squeezing closing credits and voice-overs trying to promote the next programme before the last one has finished and yet it still goes on. Be brave and scrap it, sir, and you'll go down in the annals of television history as a hero to rival 'Batman'.
'Fine Finny Fiends' was the opening instalment of the two-part season finale. Bruce Wayne's loyal butler, Alfred ( Alan Napier ) goes to a fish store to buy caviar for the upcoming Millionaires Annual Dinner Dance only to be kidnapped by the Penguin ( Burgess Meredith ). Batman and Robin are concerned not only for the fate of their friend, but also because he knows their secret identities. The Penguin wants to know the location of the dance, but Alfred does not know it, so the wily old bird lets him go, albeit in a brainwashed state. Batman suddenly notices his butler twitching involuntarily for no apparent reason...
Scripted by Sheldon Stark, this was directed by Tom Gries, later to make the films 'Will Penny' and 'Breakheart Pass'.
We can only guess at how much fun the cast and crew must have had making this show. The writers were fond of getting saucy jokes past the censor - the 'Catwoman' episodes make endless 'pussy' references for example. There is a curious little scene here - Finella ( the beautiful Julie Gregg ), the Penguin's moll, is bent over whilst wearing a revealing swim-suit, and behind her are two men puffing and panting as they operate a bellows. The sexual overtones are unmistakable. Scenes like that were fun for adults while the kids ( me included ) were happy to lap up the adventure content.
The episode ends with the usual cliffhanger - here its Batman and Robin trapped in a room with with the air being pumped out by the Penguin's goons. Will they escape? Of course they will!
Before I sign off, a quick mention of new B.B.C.-1 controller Danny Cohen's recent interview in 'The Radio Times'. Asked why he had axed the hit drama 'Lark Rise To Candleford', he replied: "We've got lots of exciting new projects lined up!". Sounds impressive until you recall that, back in 1991, 'Eldorado' was also described as 'an exciting new project'. Responding to complaints about squeezed closing credits, he then said: "We've got to get the balance right" which is the kind of reply you usually only ever get from Government ministers when their departments come under fire for wasteful spending. Balance between what exactly, Mr.Cohen? People hate the practice of squeezing closing credits and voice-overs trying to promote the next programme before the last one has finished and yet it still goes on. Be brave and scrap it, sir, and you'll go down in the annals of television history as a hero to rival 'Batman'.