Penguin Is a Girl's Best Friend
“That's it! Skewer the scrofulous scullion!"
I wasn't enormously fond of the previous three parter a few episodes ago, so I was somewhat apprehensive about this one. I needn't have worried: a sparkling script and fantastic chemistry between Burgess Meredith and Carolyn Jones- not to discount some superb comic acting from Adam West itself- elevates this (or at least the two episodes I've seen as I blog the first two episodes on Tuesday evening) to one of the series' true highlights.
The cheeky opening gives us an unusual premise- the Dynamic Duo are contracted as actors for Penguin's film which is, of course, as his exposition to the wonderful Marsha shows, a front. It is, of course, gloriously silly that the Caped Crusaders should appear in their usual costumes in a Roman epic, but that's part of the fun. And yes, I know I criticised the last three parter for treating the Penguin as second fiddle to the Joker, and this time Marsha is playing no less of a supplementary string instrument to the now promoted Penguin. But this time it seems to matter less- Marsha may not be the criminal mastermind here, but she gets to be archly cool and steal scenes. Her wonderful witch of a mother is back too, and the to ladies are a real comic joy in their scenes together. I love Mortimer. He's now one of my favourite Muppets.
We end with a superbly classical cliffhanger wit Batman and Robin in a catapult, about to be splatted halfway across Gotham. This is exactly what Batman should be.
Penguin Sets a Trend
“Call the cavalry!"
"We haven't had any cavalry since 1910..."
This is one of the most fun cliffhanger resolutions ever- Batman calculated exactly where Robin and he are set to splat and sends the Batmobile there with a big net by remote control- stopping for some children crossing the road, naturally.
Even more fun is Batman playing up to the cameras about his love of the limelight so Penguin will re-hire him- I really can't emphasise enough what a splendid comic actor Batman is. He's so very multifaceted, and the part of Batman calls for superb talent as a straight man- and being a good straight man is hard.
And yes, I know Marsha and Old Hilda are only in one scene where they, er, look for some old toads. But they completely steal said scene, and the whole episode is such enormous fun that I can't really make myself resent this blatant neglect of the guest villain. Not where we have a comedy general played by Alan "voice of Fred Flintstone" Reed and a Keystone Kops US Army being manipulated like fools by the Penguin? These days it would be unthinkable for a mainstream American TV drama to be so irreverent about its armed forces. Perhaps, in this sense, it is a little less free.
And the cliffhanger- the Capred Crusaders, wearing clunky suits of armour, about to be crushed as scrap metal, promises to be no less enjoyable than the last one...
Penguin’s Disastrous End
“Do you know how much vitamin B there is in the average toad?"
This episode is completely and utterly bonkers. I love it.
Oh, the cliffhanger resolution is the usual type of silly- saved by the utility belts again- but we then find out that Marsha and Aunt Hilda are back, with their old toads(!), all poised to help Penguin get into a bank vault by means of love potion and the dance of the seven veils. Yes, really. And if that sn't enough we get Penguin whispering quietly to his "finks"- through a loudspeaker.
And then we get the long days with Penguin, Marsha and co seemingly holed up in the bank vault with no means of escape- until the use the plans from last episode to make a World War Two tank. Out of, er, solid gold. Yes, really. Fortunately it's Batzooka to the rescue, but this is the most delightfully random and absurd scheme ever concocted. I love everything about it.
This three parter has been an absolute joy. So have Marsha and Aunt Hilda whom we will, sadly, not be seeing again.
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