Batman (1966) Episodes 21&22

Episodes 21 & 22
The Penguin Goes Straight/Not Yet, He Aint

 

Plot:Penguin gives up his life of crime to open a protection agency and has a warrant issued for Batman and Robin

Guest Stars:Burgess Meredith as The Penguin.

Trivia:the unique sqawk came from the cigarette’s he smoked aggravating his throat. Also, the waddle was a result of rubber padded outfit he wore.

Niitpick:In the start the Commissioner calls Batman who races off,,,to the scene of the opening crime. Did even Batman realize the incident didn’t warrant a stop at Police HQ?

Bat Silliness:First appearance of the Bat Cycle though it differs from the later version.

Bat Gadget:Emergency Bat Turn,

Bat Trap:A carnival game is rigged to be real, Penguin sets up Commissioner Gordon to unwittingly set up to kill The Dynamic Due.

Final Thoughts:Alan Napier played Alfred and he had an amazing career before the show. He played everything even Sherlock Holmes. He does a good job being the doting Butler but also getting in on the action from time to time. Every other “Alfred” in the movies just kind of comments on stuff, this one gets involved. Even masquerading as Batman but we’ll get to that. Here he blows Batman’s whole plan which shows he’s not infallible. Watching the Penguin prevent a crime was funny. This is a typical Penguin kind of story, he appears to repent but in the end goes back to evil. Unlike the pilot the plot pf Penguin framing Batman and Robin as criminals works well leading to Penguin using the Batmobile which is funny. I admit I wasn’t sure where the episode was going and the real plot is..eh. He’s just pretending to fall for and propose to a wealthy woman so he can steal the wedding gifts. Huh? Kind of a weak reward for such a convoluted plot. But it’s definitely an enjoyable episode that keeps your attention. I love it when Batman plays the long game.

Remember I talked about Star Trek death fake out’s? Batman did it too including his episode.

 

Grade:A-, enjoyable episode needed a better ending

 

 

The Riddler is back tomorrow, Same Bat Time Same Bat Channel!