The Joker is Wild / Batman is Riled – Batman season 1
The Joker is Wild / Batman is Riled – Cesar Romero’s first appearance as the Joker on the live action Batman series. And he’s at he’s gleeful best!
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.
With Nancy Kovack (Jason and the Argonauts) as the Joker’s henchman, Queenie.
Batman: I think I’ve got it…
Robin: You have, Batman?
Batman: [picks up the Joker’s doll by the head] What other kind of clown is there besides a circus clown? I’ll give you a hint: tonight, there’s going to be a live telecast of the Gotham City opera company.
Robin: [hits palm of his hand with fist] Golly, Batman, I still don’t get it.
Batman: They’re performing a certain celebrated Italian opera…
Robin: [thinks for a moment] Holy ravioli!
Batman: You’re warm…
Batman, Robin: Pagliacci!
Part II – 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.
Robin: Then when you thought you were stopping him with your utility belt, he was really stopping us with his!
Batman: That tricky devil! He’s hit us below the belt!
The Joker: He who laughs last, laughs good!
Cast of characters
- Adam West (The Outlaws is Coming) … Batman
- Burt Ward (Batman the Movie) … Robin
- Alan Napier (The Mole People, House of Horrors) … Alfred
- Neil Hamilton (Tarzan the Ape Man, What Price Hollywood) … Commissioner Gordon
- Stafford Repp … Chief O’Hara
- Madge Blake … Mrs. Cooper
- Cesar Romero (Two on a Guillotine, Week-End in Havana) … The Joker
- Nancy Kovack (Marooned) … Queenie
- Jonathan Hole … Museum Attendant
- Merritt Bohn … Assistant Warden
- Dick Curtis (Don’t Throw That Knife) … The Inebriate
Trivia
- Based on the comic book story “The Joker’s Utility Belt”, originally published in Batman #73 (October-November 1952). Later reprinted in Batman #176 (December 1965).
- At the Gotham City Museum, several of the statues in the Comedian Hall of Fame represent famous clowns. These include Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy, Ernie Kovacs and W.C. Fields.