Batman season 1. Like a lot of people growing up in the 1960’s, I grew up with the love action Batman series. And, fell in love with the actors, both heroes and villains. It was only years later that I realized they had careers outside the Dynamic Duo! Here’s the first season’s episodes – enjoy!
Hi Diddle Riddle – January 11 1966
While the Riddler maneuvers Batman into being sued, the Dynamic Duo investigate the supervillain’s concurrent scheme. Frank Gorshin as The Riddler, Jill St. John as his henchman, Molly.
Smack in the Middle – January 12 1966
The Riddler fashions a mold of the face of the unconscious Robin. He contacts Batman with two more riddles.
Fine Feathered Finks – January 19, 1966
The Penguin plots to manipulate Batman into inadvertently devising capers for him. Burgess Meredith’s first appearance as the tuxedoed, waddling, Penguin. Walter Burke and Lewis Charles as his henchmen.
The Penquin’s a Jinx – January 19 1966
Bruce Wayne escapes the Penguin’s deathtrap and returns to the Batcave. What he doesn’t know is that one of the Penguin’s clues, an umbrella, has a listening device.
The Joker is Wild – January 25 1966
The Joker decides to fight fire with fire against Batman with a utility belt of his own. Cesar Romero’s first appearance as the Clown Prince of Crime. Despite his mustache obviously sticking out through the makeup, it’s a wonderful rendition of the Joker. He’s perpetually laughing, and enjoying himself.
Batman is Riled – January 26 1966
First, Batman avoids a public unmasking but is unable to bring in the Joker, thanks to the villain’s utility belt. Eventually, the Joker’s gang captures Batman and Robin. But then, the tables are turned!
Instant Freeze – February 1 1966
Dr. Shivel aka Mr. Freeze has returned. He seeks revenge on Batman for who accidentally spilled a freeze solution on him, being forced to live in a -50 climate.
Rats like Cheese – February 2 1966
Vince, a temperamental physician at a Gotham City hospital (apparently a takeoff on Ben Casey), saves Batman and Robin. The Dynamic Duo resume their pursuit of Mr. Freeze.
Zelda the great – February 8 1966
The Dynamic Duo arranges a trap for an elusive annual bank robber, but the female magician they are hunting is on to them with a new scheme of her own.
A Death Worse Than Fate – February 9 1966
Told that her loot is genuine money after all, Zelda is forced to lure Batman and Robin into a possibly unsolvable deathtrap, with hitmen waiting outside to shoot them if they escape.
A riddle a day keeps the riddler away – February 15 1966
King Boris, who hails from a European country, comes to Gotham City for a visit. Upon his arrival, there is a disturbance, which includes a clue from the Riddler.
When the rat’s away the mice will play – February 16 1966
Batman manages to escape the Riddler’s death trap. He and Robin decide to lay low until they can figure out the Riddler’s caper.
The Thirteenth Hat – February 22 1966
Jervis Tetsch, aka the Mad Hatter, is abducting all the jurors who convicted him of a previous crime wave. He is also taking their hats. Twelve hats, since there are twelve jurors. Of course, he also blames Batman for his conviction. And wants his cowl, as the crowning achievement of his collection.
Batman Stands Pat – February 23 1966
Batman, thanks to superior breath control, is able to escape the plaster of Paris in which he was encased. Despite this, the Mad Hatter is still at large.
The Joker Goes to School – March 1 1966
At Woodrow Roosevelt High School, a vending machine gives out money. Dick Grayson is there to witness it.
He Meets his Match, the Grisly Ghoul – March 2 1966
A power failure prevents Batman and Robin from being electrocuted. Meanwhile, a recording Batman made confirms that cheerleader Susie is one of the Joker’s confederates.
True or false face – March 8 1966
False Face traps Batman and Robin, and binding them to a subway track just minutes before a train is scheduled to come by.
Holy rat race – March 9 1966
Alfred contacts Batman by radio from the Batcave. Batman instructs the butler to short circuit a communications device the hero has on his wrist.
The Purr-fect Crime – March 15 1966
Catwoman initiates a series of thefts that cause Commissioner Gordon to summon Batman and Robin. But the importance of the crimes go beyond the taking of the objects involved. The episode with Batman literally having to choose between the lady and the tiger. And he chooses wrongly!
Better Luck Next Time – March 16 1966
Batman evades the attacking tiger thanks to his utility belt. First, he scales the wall, rescues Robin, pursues Catwoman, and prevents her from acquiring the lost treasure of Captain Manx. All in a day’s work.
The Penguin Goes Straight – March 22 1966
After his recent release from jail, The Penguin has started his own protection agency. He thwarts small time hoodlums everywhere he goes. Is it all a con? Do you really need to ask?
Not yet, he ain’t – March 23 1966
Allready wanted for a robbery they didn’t commit, Batman and Robin fake their own deaths with a little help from Commissioner Gordon and Chief O’Hara. The allow the fowl felon to steal the Batmobile …. In order to track him with it. It also gave them an opportunity to use the Batcycle, with Robin in the sidecar. Have to sell those toys, after all.
The Ring of Wax – March 29 1966
The Riddler’s latest scheme involves stealing a wax figure to melt down for its wax that is powerfully corrosive when exposed to direct flame.
Give ’em the axe – March 30 1966
Taking advantage of the Riddler’s mistaken belief that they were killed escaping his deathtrap, the Dynamic Duo must stop the villain from stealing a treasure of Incan jewels.
The Joker Trumps an Ace – April 5 1966
A wave of senseless robberies by the Joker prove to be part of a plot against a visiting maharajah. He steals seemingly worthless items, such as hair pins from rich woman and a hole from a golf course. But he has something up his sleeve …
Batman Sets the Pace – April 6 1966
After an ingenious escape, Batman and Robin again pick up the trail of the Joker. The villain’s ultimate crime is designed not only to make him rich but to ruin Batman’s reputation.
The Curse of Tut – April 12 1966
A former academic who thinks he is really King Tut has returned. Batman and Robin seek his capture. Victor Buono’s first appearance as the college professor who, after a blow to the head, thinks he’s King Tut reincarnated. A very funny performance, that he repeated multiple times. I love the acting of his “queen” Nefertiti — who acts like she’s bored of the whole thing.
The Pharaoh’s in a Rut – April 13 1966
Bruce frees himself just before the cart he is riding goes over a cliff. As Batman, he works to bring King Tut to justice.
The Bookworm Turns – April 19 1966
Commissioner Gordon appears to have been assassinated during the opening of a new bridge. A copy of Hemmingway’s ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’ nearly blows up the Batmobile.
While Gotham City Burns – April 20 1966
Batman saves Robin from the Wayne Memorial Clock Tower at the last Big Benjamin second. While they are busy in the Batcave, The Bookworm steals a priceless cookbook from stately Wayne Manor.
Death in Slow Motion – April 26 1966
Charlie Chaplin and the Keystone Kops raid the till at the newly opened Gotham movie theater. The culprits turn out to be ‘The Riddler’ and his gang in disguise.
The Riddler’s False Notion – April 27, 1966
Robin has been captured by ‘The Riddler’, leaving Batman fearing his own reaction.
Fine Finny Fiends – May 3 1966
Alfred is kidnapped by the Penguin and his finny fiends, while buying caviar for the Multimillionaires Annual Award Dinner.
Batman Makes the Scenes – May 4 1966
The Penguin learns the location of the Multi-millionaires Annual Award Dinner from Alfred: on board Bruce Wayne’s S.S. Gotham Neptune.