Batman TV Milestones Of The Week

[AaronHandy3]

JANUARY 12, 1966

"Hi Diddle Riddle" (prod. #6028-Pt. 1) first aired @ 7:30p.m. EST on ABC as the premiere episode of Batman, a thrilling new 30-minute action series based upon the characters created by Bob Kane appearing in Batman and Detective Comics Magazine published by National Periodical Publications, Inc., starring Adam West and Burt Ward and executive-produced/narrated by William Dozier.

First appearance of Frank Gorshin as The Riddler.

It was based on "Remarkable Ruse of the Riddler" from Batman #171 (May 1965), written by Gardner Fox; in it, The Riddler, jealous of the attention Batman is giving The Mole Hill Mob, arranges a trap so Batman will apprehend the gang and give The Riddler The Caped Crusader's undivided attention. Aunt Harriet Cooper (Madge Blake) was written into the series to counter the rumors that Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson were gay. The series producers felt that a female aunt would "round out" Wayne Manor.

The series would add a feature film version released by 20th Century-Fox in July 1966, and would air on ABC for 2 1/2 seasons and 120 shows until March 14, 1968. It has maintained a huge cult status in the rerun circuit ever since.

Holy Longevity, Batman! Your popularity in TV reruns'll exist beyond the end of time! Happy 38th Television Anniversary!!!

JANUARY 13, 1966

"Smack In The Middle" (prod. #6028-Pt. 2) first aired @ 7:30p.m. EST on ABC as the 2nd episode of Batman.

This is one of only two episodes of Batman in which characters lose their life; the second is Episode #8705-Pt. 2, "A Death Worse Than Fate," wherein the gunmen, intending to drill Batman and Robin full of bullets, shoot each other to death as The Dynamic Duo dodge them, aided by Zelda The Great (Anne Baxter). The Riddler's maniacal high-pitched giggle was inspired by the character Tommy Udo (portrayed by Richard Widmark) in the 1947 20th Century-Fox crime film-noir Kiss Of Death.

The Batmobile's ever-popular Emergency Bat-Turn Lever is put into use for the first time in this episode. In all the scenes of the villains hideouts, the camera is slanted at an angle, almost "crooked"--to reflect the villains' being crooked themselves! The scene of The Batmobile leaving The Batcave to race the remaining 14 miles to Gotham was really filmed at Bronson Cavern in Hollywood Hills. This cave was used in many horror films including Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (Allied Artists, 1956). The problem they ran into when filming the scene was that The Batmobile was just about the same width as the cave entrance. To keep from ripping the fenders off of George Barris's creation, they undercranked the cameras so it could come out slowly and then later speed up the film to give the illusion of speed!

The exterior shots of Wayne Manor were really filmed at 380 South San Rafel Ave, Pasedena, CA.

JANUARY 11, 1967

"The Zodiac Crimes" (prod. #9733-Pt. 1) first aired @ 7:30p.m. EST on ABC as the 71st episode of Batman.

This was Part 1 of the series' first of 3 three-parters, simultaneously celebrating the show's one-year anniversary and helping to open ABC's second season. Terry Moore (Venus) is best remembered for her role as Jill Young in Mighty Joe Young (RKO, 1949). Dick Crockett (Neptune) portrayed Morgan in the 1966 Batman feature film.

JANUARY 12, 1967

"The Joker's Hard Times" (prod. #9733-Pt. 2) first aired @ 7:30p.m. EST on ABC as the 72nd episode of Batman.

Part 2 of a 3-chapter story.

Plans to stitch these episodes together and release them as a second Batman feature film in Europe never reached fruition.

JANUARY 11, 1968

"Louie's Lethal Lilac Time" (prod. #1718) first aired @ 7:30p.m. EST on ABC as the 112th episode of Batman.

The second and final performance by the late, great Uncle Miltie as Louie The Lilac.