The Worst Villains on Batman - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

simmytbone · 04-09-2011, 02:02 AM

Hey guys,

45 years ago, we were introduced to Batman

There were the best villains and then, there were some that were worst

and so, I would like to know:

Who do you consider as The Worst Villains on Batman?

Please make your list right here

Retro4Life · 04-09-2011, 09:26 AM

I always thought that Cassandra and Madame Zelda were weak. Same goes for the Zsa Zsa Gabor character , Minerva. Oh and the Puzzler was just a weak Riddler imitation, though I always liked Maurice Evans.

The Archer was a bomb, and so was the Minstrel. Adam West mentions in Back to the Batcave, that these two are weak villains and said he wished that Season Two had started off strong with the Joker or Penguin or other strong villains

I tended to enjoy the more outlandishly costumed ones as a kid; they were eye catching and over the top and funny.

TMC · 04-11-2011, 02:26 AM

Black Widow - The main problem was that Tallulah Bankhead was way past her prime by this point (I think that Batman was the last acting job she did before she died). She was just too old and infirm to be a credible menace/threat. You know you're in trouble when at one point, sweet old Aunt Harriet is confused for Black Widow at the bank. Plus, it was sometimes hard to understand what Miss Bankhead was saying because her delivery was awfully raspy and garbled (as if she had a bit too much to drink).

ComedyGuy · 04-11-2011, 04:12 AM

EGGHEAD weak name for a villian who was played by Vincent Price

THE MAD HATTER imho was stupid even though his top hat weapon was kinda cool

KING TUT who's name alone is weak as far as villians go

Zoneboy · 04-11-2011, 07:47 AM

My 10 least favorites in no particular order

#1. Clock King - About as exciting as watching the hands of a clock

#2. Zelda the Great. Nothing great about her

#3. Louie the Lilac - I love the smell of lilacs but this villain stinks

#4. Riddler (John Astin) - Another appearance by The Puzzler would've been better

#5. Nora Clavicle - Only episode without a batfight although having one wouldn't have helped matters much

#6. Minerva - The last and one of the most boring villains of the series. It should've ended with The Entrancing Dr. Cassandra

#7. The Sandman - Guaranteed to put anyone to sleep

#8. Lord Marmaduke Pfogg - Rudy Valle was bad enough but a 3-part episode is overkill

#9. False Face - Malachi Throne said the character could've worked better if the producers had used different facial disguises instead of that cheap plastic mask. I have to agree with him.

#10. Bookworm - Boring and probably the most ridiculous costume worn by any villain

Dr. Thong · 04-11-2011, 11:20 AM

On the male villains, I'll have to think about it and get back to this topic.

But I will say this, Catwoman aside, the female villains were all pretty weak. And I don't say that because they were women, but rather, I blame the writers for coming up with weak stereotypical characters for the actresses who played them.

The chauvinistic and sexist attitude the writers employed towards women was most evident in an episode I watched last week, the one featuring Nora Clavicle (Barbara Rush).

When the women take over the govt and police force completely, crime runs rampant because the women are preoccupied with putting on their makeup, exchanging recipes and putting out all-points bulletin about clothing sales. Ouch!

And the series ended with the weakest of the female villains, Minerva. There was no air of menace about her at all. Even after her brainwashing plot was foiled and she was taken off to jail, Commissioner Gordon is still clearly smitten with her.

ComedyGuy · 04-11-2011, 01:30 PM

I like Frank Gorshin playing the Riddler tons better than the Riddler played by John Astin

Dr. Thong · 04-11-2011, 04:28 PM

Gorshin invented that character for TV and invested it with so much manic energy and drive that Astin's portrayal seemed like a flat tire by comparison. Astin has a more drier comedic style, which didn't suit The Riddler at all.

I was glad when Gorshin came back one last time in the final season for the "Ring Around The Riddler" episode.

TJL · 04-12-2011, 02:10 AM

You guys have already mentioned most of the lame ones. Here's a few more.

Colonel Gumm - Batman's nemesis during the Green Hornet crossover episode. This guy was a threat to Gotham?

Chandall - Liberace. That pretty much says it all.

I have to disagree with ComedyGuy about King Tut being a weak villain. Victor Buono was one of the funniest people ever to appear on the show. He had the perfect mix of camp and over the top hamminess that was perfect for the series.

king of comedy · 03-03-2013, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

You guys have already mentioned most of the lame ones. Here's a few more.

Colonel Gumm - Batman's nemesis during the Green Hornet crossover episode. This guy was a threat to Gotham?

Chandall - Liberace. That pretty much says it all.

I have to disagree with ComedyGuy about King Tut being a weak villain. Victor Buono was one of the funniest people ever to appear on the show. He had the perfect mix of camp and over the top hamminess that was perfect for the series.

The Mad Hatter should have looked like the one from Alice in Wonderland. He was suppose to look like that and based his crimes on the on that classic story. If there had been a fourth season, that would have been cool.

Prince Michael · 03-19-2014, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king of comedy

If there had been a fourth season, that would have been cool.

I never had a chance to see the Batman TV series, but a friend of mine did . I watched the 1966 Batman movie at his house, and he said "It's too bad Batman was cancelled after it's third season, because that's when Batgirl appeared and the Batboat, so they finally got all their elements together and then it was cancelled !" .

king of comedy · 03-20-2014, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

On the male villains, I'll have to think about it and get back to this topic.

But I will say this, Catwoman aside, the female villains were all pretty weak. And I don't say that because they were women, but rather, I blame the writers for coming up with weak stereotypical characters for the actresses who played them.

The chauvinistic and sexist attitude the writers employed towards women was most evident in an episode I watched last week, the one featuring Nora Clavicle (Barbara Rush).

When the women take over the govt and police force completely, crime runs rampant because the women are preoccupied with putting on their makeup, exchanging recipes and putting out all-points bulletin about clothing sales. Ouch!

And the series ended with the weakest of the female villains, Minerva. There was no air of menace about her at all. Even after her brainwashing plot was foiled and she was taken off to jail, Commissioner Gordon is still clearly smitten with her.

They should have had Poison Ivy from the comics. Her and Catwoman would have been the best 2 female villians. I thought Dr.Cassandra was good. She had a ray gun and was smart. I loved that episode where she released all 6 villians and the fight at the end is classic.

Dr. Thong · 03-22-2014, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king of comedy

They should have had Poison Ivy from the comics. Her and Catwoman would have been the best 2 female villians. I thought Dr.Cassandra was good. She had a ray gun and was smart. I loved that episode where she released all 6 villians and the fight at the end is classic.

They could have had Poison Ivy flirt with Batman in the way that Catwoman did -- maybe even have an episode where they're both vying for his affections as they're plotting to kill him.

Or maybe one "saves" him from the other, only so that she can be the one who finishes him off.

Had there been a fourth season, it would have been interesting to see what would have happened. There was talk of demoting Batgirl to recurring status (not in every episode) or alternating between having Batgirl and Robin as the sidekick from week-to-week and possibly going back to the hour-long, 2 part format.

king of comedy · 03-22-2014, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

They could have had Poison Ivy flirt with Batman in the way that Catwoman did -- maybe even have an episode where they're both vying for his affections as they're plotting to kill him.

Or maybe one "saves" him from the other, only so that she can be the one who finishes him off.

Had there been a fourth season, it would have been interesting to see what would have happened. There was talk of demoting Batgirl to recurring status (not in every episode) or alternating between having Batgirl and Robin as the sidekick from week-to-week and possibly going back to the hour-long, 2 part format.

That would have been great. Batgirl and Robin taking turns as the sidekick would have been refreshing.

Zoneboy · 03-22-2014, 07:52 PM

One reason Poison Ivy didn't appear on the series may have been because the character didn't appear in the comics until June, 1966 and at that time Batman had finished it's first season. I'm not sure how far in advance the episodes were produced although a third season spot might have worked if the right actress was hired. I think she would've been much better than Nora Clavicle or Minerva.

04-09-2011, 02:02 AM	#1
simmytbone Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 17, 2009 Posts: 1,513	The Worst Villains on Batman Hey guys, 45 years ago, we were introduced to Batman There were the best villains and then, there were some that were worst and so, I would like to know: Who do you consider as The Worst Villains on Batman? Please make your list right here

04-09-2011, 09:26 AM	#2
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I always thought that Cassandra and Madame Zelda were weak. Same goes for the Zsa Zsa Gabor character , Minerva. Oh and the Puzzler was just a weak Riddler imitation, though I always liked Maurice Evans. The Archer was a bomb, and so was the Minstrel. Adam West mentions in Back to the Batcave, that these two are weak villains and said he wished that Season Two had started off strong with the Joker or Penguin or other strong villains I tended to enjoy the more outlandishly costumed ones as a kid; they were eye catching and over the top and funny.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

04-11-2011, 02:26 AM	#3
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,925	Black Widow - The main problem was that Tallulah Bankhead was way past her prime by this point (I think that Batman was the last acting job she did before she died). She was just too old and infirm to be a credible menace/threat. You know you're in trouble when at one point, sweet old Aunt Harriet is confused for Black Widow at the bank. Plus, it was sometimes hard to understand what Miss Bankhead was saying because her delivery was awfully raspy and garbled (as if she had a bit too much to drink).

04-11-2011, 04:12 AM	#4
ComedyGuy King Of TV Trivia Senior Member Join Date: Sep 17, 2007 Location: Eastlake Ohio Posts: 1,255	EGGHEAD weak name for a villian who was played by Vincent Price THE MAD HATTER imho was stupid even though his top hat weapon was kinda cool KING TUT who's name alone is weak as far as villians go
	__________________ Classic TV, the way life ought to be

04-11-2011, 07:47 AM	#5
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,442	My 10 least favorites in no particular order #1. Clock King - About as exciting as watching the hands of a clock #2. Zelda the Great. Nothing great about her #3. Louie the Lilac - I love the smell of lilacs but this villain stinks #4. Riddler (John Astin) - Another appearance by The Puzzler would've been better #5. Nora Clavicle - Only episode without a batfight although having one wouldn't have helped matters much #6. Minerva - The last and one of the most boring villains of the series. It should've ended with The Entrancing Dr. Cassandra #7. The Sandman - Guaranteed to put anyone to sleep #8. Lord Marmaduke Pfogg - Rudy Valle was bad enough but a 3-part episode is overkill #9. False Face - Malachi Throne said the character could've worked better if the producers had used different facial disguises instead of that cheap plastic mask. I have to agree with him. #10. Bookworm - Boring and probably the most ridiculous costume worn by any villain
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads. Last edited by Zoneboy; 03-22-2014 at 05:25 PM.

04-11-2011, 11:20 AM	#6
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	On the male villains, I'll have to think about it and get back to this topic. But I will say this, Catwoman aside, the female villains were all pretty weak. And I don't say that because they were women, but rather, I blame the writers for coming up with weak stereotypical characters for the actresses who played them. The chauvinistic and sexist attitude the writers employed towards women was most evident in an episode I watched last week, the one featuring Nora Clavicle (Barbara Rush). When the women take over the govt and police force completely, crime runs rampant because the women are preoccupied with putting on their makeup, exchanging recipes and putting out all-points bulletin about clothing sales. Ouch! And the series ended with the weakest of the female villains, Minerva. There was no air of menace about her at all. Even after her brainwashing plot was foiled and she was taken off to jail, Commissioner Gordon is still clearly smitten with her.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

04-11-2011, 01:30 PM	#7
ComedyGuy King Of TV Trivia Senior Member Join Date: Sep 17, 2007 Location: Eastlake Ohio Posts: 1,255	I like Frank Gorshin playing the Riddler tons better than the Riddler played by John Astin

04-11-2011, 04:28 PM	#8
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Gorshin invented that character for TV and invested it with so much manic energy and drive that Astin's portrayal seemed like a flat tire by comparison. Astin has a more drier comedic style, which didn't suit The Riddler at all. I was glad when Gorshin came back one last time in the final season for the "Ring Around The Riddler" episode.

04-12-2011, 02:10 AM	#9
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	You guys have already mentioned most of the lame ones. Here's a few more. Colonel Gumm - Batman's nemesis during the Green Hornet crossover episode. This guy was a threat to Gotham? Chandall - Liberace. That pretty much says it all. I have to disagree with ComedyGuy about King Tut being a weak villain. Victor Buono was one of the funniest people ever to appear on the show. He had the perfect mix of camp and over the top hamminess that was perfect for the series.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

03-22-2014, 07:52 PM	#15
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,442	One reason Poison Ivy didn't appear on the series may have been because the character didn't appear in the comics until June, 1966 and at that time Batman had finished it's first season. I'm not sure how far in advance the episodes were produced although a third season spot might have worked if the right actress was hired. I think she would've been much better than Nora Clavicle or Minerva.