Hi Diddle Riddle

Season 1, Episode 1, Aired

Episode Summary

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8.9
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A bomb goes off at the Gotham City World's Fair revealing a riddle which leads Batman and Robin to the Peale Art Gallery. The duo find out it's a trick from the Riddler who serves them subpeonas. Batman must find out the Riddler's sceme or he must reveal his true identity. Robin finds two clues in the papers and they head to a diso where he unfortuneatly cannot get in. Batman's drugged by the Riddler's assistant, Molly. Batman's drugged and Robin is tranquilliezed by the Riddler, who in turn tries to steal the Batmobile. The Riddler attempts to blow the Batmobile up after he kidnaps Robin. Batman races out to the Batmobile but in his incompacitated condition, he is forced to turn his keys over to the police. The Riddler attempts to operate on Robin.

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  • The Riddler tricks Batman into a false arrest, but his real scheme is to penetrate the Batcave.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    The series eventually gets campy (not a bad thing, necessarily) but these first few episodes are very dark, like the comic books. Frank Gorshin was born to be the Riddler, no question about it. Executive Producer William Dozier makes his only on camera appearence as a matrie D. Batman makes his only reference in the entire series in this episode about how his parents were murdered.
  • Pilot

    9.2
    "Superb"
    I rated the Pilot Episode Batman a 9.2 due to the fact that it was done really well with use of Frank Gorshin as The Riddler. Also the fact that it is already known that the 1966 series did not explain Batman's origin and the villain origin this pilot was simply 'a way to start' this campy series. Frank Gorshin as the Riddler is PERFECT as for the other main villains (ie Joker, Penguin, & Catwoman) on this series. This episode had a notable comical moment when after removing metal bars from a secure window Robin was just going to throw it down into the alley way, but Batman refused stating "pedestrian safety" and out came the 'bat-hook' the he hung the metal bars on.moreless
  • The Dynamic Duo make their television debut!!

    10
    "Perfect"
    Finnaly, the Dynamic Duo, Batman and Robin, make their television debut!! We are also introduced to the Riddler, who has a big scheme in mind! He tricks Batman into making a false arrest, and now Batman will have to go to court, and reveal his secret identity! But, Batman and Robin suspect something is up, and they go looking for the Riddler. They come to a nightclub, and Robin has to stay outside and gaurd the Batmobile, because he is too young to go inside. So, Batman in the Nightclub meets The Riddler's assistant Molly, and she drugs Batman! Then, outside, The Riddler and his goons shoot a tranquilizer at Robin, and soon Robin is out cold! They kidnap Robin, and attempt to steal the Batmobile, but thanks to the anti theft alarm, they can't! When a drugged Batman gets outside to the Batmobile, he is too late... Robin is gone! He wants to go after Riddler and help Robin, but a police officer won't let him, saying Batman is in no condition to drive. So, Batman Batwalks home, and goes to the Batcave, where he starts to attempt to track down Robin. Later, they show Riddler and Molly starting to do what appears to be operating on Robin!! What will happen next? Will Batman save Robin?? Will Robin escape?! Great way to start off the season!! Had me in total suspense!! 2 thumbs up, and worth a 10 rating!!moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • TRIVIA (12)

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    • When the Batmobile leaves the Batcave, you can see the shadow of the vehicle on the wall revealing that it actually comes to a stop when it leaves the shot.

    • Gotham City is 14 miles from the Batcave entrance.

    • Goof: Notice Tattle puts Robin over his shoulder when taking him out of the Bat-mobile but when Tattle runs from it, Robin is in his arms and then returns to being over his shoulder at the manhole.

    • At the time this episode aired, Alfred was thought to be dead in the comics.

    • The license plate on the Bat-mobile is 2F-3567, Gotham 1966.

    • Batman's disco appearance and subsequent dance number gave rise to a thankfully brief dance craze over the "Batusi".

    • Variations between the Bat-pilot and regular series: opening theme is slightly different and the superimposed cliffhanger texts are angled. This is one of the only episodes of Batman's entire series run to feature a Special Guest credit given to Jill St. John as Molly preceding the ever-present Special Guest Villain credit. The study set including the entrance to the Bat poles is different.

    • Dick Reeves played several villains in the 1952-58 The Adventures Of Superman series.

    • The scenes of The World's Fair used in this episode are actual footage taken at the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair. The Moldavian pavilion was actually the Thailand pavilion.

    • Based on Remarkable Ruse of the Riddler from Batman #171 (May 1965), written by Gardner Fox. In the comic book the Riddler is jealous of the attention Batman is giving The Mole Hill Mob. The Riddler arranges a trap so Batman will apprehend the gang and give him the Caped Crusader's undivided attention.

    • This is the only time that Alfred Pennyworth wears a tuxedo throughout the entire episode. Also, Robin makes his only appearance wearing green cloth gloves (matching the fabric of his green tights); later episodes would have him wearing green leather gloves.

    • The footage first seen in "Hi Diddle Riddle" of The Dynamic Duo preparing to zoom out of The Batcave ("Atomic batteries to power, turbines to speed!" "Roger, ready to move out.") is recycled in many later episodes and in the 1966 Batman movie.

  • QUOTES (22)

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    • Narrator: Will Robin escape? Can Batman find him in time? Is this the ghastly end for our Dynamic Duo? Answers tomorrow night. Same time, Same channel. One hint, the worse is yet to come.

    • Riddler: At last, Boy wonder! Robin. You and the caped crusader both are set for the final bow.

    • (With slurred speech) Batman: Officers. Out of my way! They've got Robin. (Getting into the Bat-mobile) Get out of my way! I said. I've got to go after Robin. Officer: Hand me the key, Batman. I'm afraid you're in no condition to drive.

    • Molly: You shake a pretty mean cape, Batman.

    • Molly: Why is a quarrel like a bargain? Batman: Well, well. What master taught you to read? Molly: The answer is it takes two to make it.

    • Narrator: What foul trickery are the Riddler and his evil Mole Hill Mob are up to now?

    • Tattle: Watch them fish eggs, Molly. They're full of calories. You'll blow up like a balloon. Molly: Who cares? I'm hungry. Tattle: I care. Get fat, you won't be able to fit through the man-holes anymore. What use you gonna be?

    • Narrator: Meanwhile, in an abandoned subway tool room, deep under Gotham City, the secret headquarters of the infamous Mole Hill Mob.

    • Batman: What has neither flesh, bone, nor nail? Yet has four fingers and a thumb. Robin: (Looking at his glove) A glove, of course.

    • Batman: When is the time of a clock like the whistle of a train? Robin: When it's two to two?

    • Alfred: A million dollars. Bruce: It's not the money, Alfred. It's the idea of it. My identity revealed. My value as a secret crim fighter ended. Everything I've trained myself for since my parents were murdered.

    • Riddler: What is it that no man wants to have but no man wants to lose? Robin: A lawsuit. Riddler: Correct, Boy wonder!

    • Robin: There were three men in a boat with four cigarettes. How did they manage to smoke? Batman: (Looking at Robin) They throw one cigarette overboard and made the boat a cigarette lighter.

    • Mr. Peale: Batman. You've made a mistake. He didn't steel the cross. Robin: What? Mr. Peale: I tell you it belongs to him. He lent it it me for a show. Batman: But Mr. Peale. We saw him take it from you at gun point. Riddler: Gun point? (Grabs gun and light it, laughing) Robin: Holy ashtrays.

    • Robin: Gosh. If I could just figure out that riddle. Why can't I get it? Batman: Maybe your mind's on that cute little teenager who waved to you on the way across town.

    • The Riddler: (Laughing) This is a recording. Before you trip over your cape, Batman. Riddle me this. There are three men in a boat with for cigarettes but with no matches. How do they manage to smoke?

    • Batman: The Riddler controls his plots like artichokes. You have to strip off spiny leaves to reach the heart. Robin: The Riddler's mind is twisted. Crime's no fun for him unless it means outwitting us.

    • Batman: Why is an orange like a bell? Robin: (Snapping his fingers) Answer. Because they both must be peeled.

    • Bruce: Oh, there you are, Dick. Feel like a bit of fishing. Dick: (Coming down the steps) Holy barracuda! You mean. (Looking at Aunt Harriet) Sure, Bruce. Why not? Sounds swell doesn't it Aunt Harriet.

    • Bruce: Perhaps, if there had been anti-crime centers at the time we now propose when my parents were murdered by dastardly criminals.

    • Commissioner Gordon: I don't know who he is behind that mask of his, but I do know when we need him and we need him now!

    • Commissioner Gordon: Why is an orange like a bell? You know what this means don't you. Chief O'Hara: The Riddler. Gordon: Right. O'Hara: The Riddler, that inferno prince of puzzlers who's outwitted us a dozen times.

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