Death in Slow Motion
“Our hopes for his reform have been blasted once again!”
The last time I saw this episode I’m sure it was introduced by Tommy Boyd of all people. If my memory is correct then I’m sure that was a disturbingly long time ago. What I didn’t remember- probably because I was far too young at the time to have any critical faculties of note- is that this is one of the finest two partners yet.
Every time Frank Gorshin appears I have to mention how bloody brilliant he is, and how it’s no wonder the Riddler has appeared more time than any other villain as he’s clearly the best. But the little Charlie Chaplin caper at the start is an extraordinary piece of acting as well as a brilliant set piece, introducing us to this week’s theme- silent movies.
It’s great that this episode guest starts Francis X. Bushman, a genuine silent star born in 1883, Back when Bismarck was German Chancellor and film was not yet a thing, and who would sadly die later in 1966. Bushman plays silent film collector Van Jones, who plays a central role in a surprisingly coherent plot which features the Riddler and his gang (including the rather lovely and talented Pauline) gradually using their capers to make a silent comedy starring the dynamic duo.
It’s instructive to remember that silent cinema, in 1966, was closer to them in time than ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll is to us. Many of the silent film stars were still alive and it’s interesting to see the ‘60s perspective, seemingly heavily based on the comedies of Charlie Chaplin- very much alive- and the Keystone Kops. The Riddler’s capers are all shown in a silent comedy style, with music to match, and it’s all splendidly entertaining.
The final caper is at a party in Van Jones’ house- and the old collector is sadly an old temperance busybody, keen to enforce his teetotal ways on those of us who prefer a good pint to telling others people what to do. It’s enough to make you side with the Riddler in spiking the drinks- the moral here is clearly that every good party deserves booze and lots of it.
The cliffhanger is suspiciously Goldfinger, with Robin about to be sawn (the narrator says “sawed”!) in half. But what elevates this to a work of true Batman genius is that the lever has four options- “slow”, “not so fast”, “fast” and “real fast”. I love this programme.
The Riddler’s False Notion
“In future, be more careful from whom you accept free lemonade.”
Hmm, so Batman saves Robin after all, although we were told at the cliffhanger that he would not arrive in time. Never mind: I’ll forgive the episode because of the hilarity of Pauline’s interrogation. Not only are the police perfectly happy for Batman to gas their suspect and take her to the Batcave to be interviewed, the Commissioner gets to come along- being Bat-gassed too- and acts like the ultimate fanboy.
The big set piece is Robin being made to fatally replay Harold Lloyd’s famous sequence from Safety Last, but fortunately Batman saves him... by having him take a Batarang in his mouth so he can be lifted to safety. And what elevates this to utter brilliance is that Robin’s immediate response is to say “Holy molars! Am I glad I take good cars of my teeth” followed by a sadly interrupted discourse on the importance of good dental hygiene. Brilliant.
The baddies sadly escape in their helicopter but, interestingly, the Batcopter is mentioned- plans for the forthcoming movie are clearly afoot. But the payoff is clever- Van Jones has hired their Riddler to make a new silent comedy for his collection; I knew these temperance types were evil. But Riddler almost turns the tables on the old spoilsport, with the real plan all along being the theft of his collection. And the whole thing is done in the style of The Great Hold Up. Brilliant.
The episode ends with Batman and Robin, making absolutely zero attempt to disguise their voices, surprising a naive Aunt Harriet on her birthday. This episode is hilarious and superb, and it’s getting very noticeable that this first season, pretty damn good throughout, is showing a notable upswing in quality before the end.
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