This Week's Batman TV Milestones

[AaronHandy3]

JANUARY 19, 1966

"Fine Feathered Finks" (prod. #8703-Pt. 1) first aired @ 7:30p.m. EST on ABC as the 3rd episode of Batman.

This was the first of 20 appearances of Burgess Meredith as The Penguin, as well as David Lewis's first appearance as Warden Crichton. Based on "Partners in Plunder!" from Batman #169 (February 1965), written by France Eddie Herron; the only difference being The Penguin steals the jeweled meteorite (which was mentioned in the comic), instead of kidnapping Dawn Robbins (who didn't appear in the comic).

Mickey Rooney was considered for the role of The Penguin. Batman's origin was never specifically dealt with during the series. Bruce Wayne mentions the murder of his parents in episode #1, refers to an umbrella that belonged to his late father in #3, and recalls "the murder of my parents by dastardly criminals" in #82.

JANUARY 20, 1966

"The Penguin's A Jinx" (prod. #8703-Pt. 2) first aired @ 7:30p.m. EST on ABC as the 4th episode of Batman.

Leslie Parrish (as Dawn Robbins) is seen wearing the exact same gold outfit as Linda Lorimer in Season-2 episode #9711-Pt. 1, "The Clock King's Crazy Crimes," in her role as the Car Hop who serves The Dynamic Duo "Batburgers."

The next time The Dynamic Duo are stuck to a magnet by the metal in their utility belts (which nearly becomes their undoing!) is in the 1966 Batman movie. The Penguin mentions his hideaway in Alaska for the first and only time in all episodes of The Penguin.

JANUARY 18, 1967

"The Penguin Declines" (prod. #9733-Pt. 3) first aired @ 7:30p.m. EST on ABC as the 73rd episode of Batman.

Conclusion of a 3-part story. Rob Reiner (Delivery Boy) later gained fame as Meathead on All In The Family (CBS, 1971-79).

With the exception of the last three, all of The Zodiac Crimes were comitted in the correct order of the signs of the zodiac. The last 3 crimes were done in reverse zodiac order.

JANUARY 19, 1967

"That Darn Catwoman" (prod. #9743-Pt. 1) first aired @ 7:30p.m. EST on ABC as the 74th episode of Batman.

This guest starred singer Leslie Gore---niece of producer Howie Horwitz---as Pussycat. George Sawaya (Templar) played Quetch in the 1966 Batman movie.

JANUARY 18, 1968

"Nora Clavicle And The Ladies' Crime Club" (prod. #1719) first aired @ 7:30p.m. EST on ABC as the 113th episode of Batman.

Elizabeth Baur (4th Policewoman) is the daughter of Fox casting director Jack Baur and, in 1971, eventually won the role of Fran Belding (replacing Barbara Anderson) in the TV series Ironside (NBC, 1967-75). Larry Gelman (Bank Manager) later went on to play Vinnie on The Odd Couple (ABC, 1970-75) and Dr. Tupperman on The Bob Newhart Show (CBS, 1972-78).

Jean Byron (Mrs. Millie Lindseed) played the matriarch Natalie Lane on The Patty Duke Show (ABC, 1963-66), which aired on the same Wednesday schedule as Batman in early 1966! Twins Rhae and Alyce Andrese (2nd and 3rd Policewoman, respectively) portrayed lookalike androids Alice I and Alice II in the November 3, 1967 episode of Star Trek, "I, Mudd," which also featured Batman guest star Roger C. Carmel as Harcourt Fenton "Harry" Mudd.