Posts: 61 Location: New Orleans, LA Joined: 14.01.06
FEBRUARY 3, 1966
"Rats Like Cheese" (prod. #8707-Pt. 2) first aired @ 7:30p.m. EST on ABC as the 8th episode of Batman.
Dr. Vince (Dan Terranova) is an obvious spoof on the 1961-66 ABC medical drama Ben Casey.
Although his real name in the comics is Victor Fries, on the TV show it was Dr. Shimmel.
FEBRUARY 9, 1966
"Zelda The Great" (prod. # 8705-Pt. 1) first aired @ 7:30p.m. EST on ABC as the 9th episode of Batman.
Based on "Batman's Inescapable Doom-Trap!" from Detective Comics #346 by John Broome. Although the evil character Eivol Ekdal appeared in the story, Zelda didn't; instead the magician was a man named Carnado.
These episodes were originally entitled "The Inescapable Doom Trap"/"Zelda Takes the Rap" and scheduled to air January 26 and 27.
Frankie Darrow, who plays a newsman, was previously a Dead End Kid.
Both Zsa Zsa Gabor and Bette Davis were considered for the role of Zelda. (Gabor eventually wound up playing Minerva in the series finale, "Minerva, Mayhem And Millionaires.")
For once, The Dynamic Duo enter through the rear of Police HQ!
This was Anne Baxter's first appearance on the show but her only one as Zelda. She later would appear in the final season as Egghead's paramour Olga, Queen Of The Cossacks.
FEBRUARY 8, 1967
"Batman's Anniversary" (prod. # 9745-Pt. 1) first aired @ 7:30p.m. EST on ABC as the 79th episode of Batman.
Actress Deanna Lund uses her character name from this episode as the title of her newsletters from her fan club "FRIENDS OF DEANNA LUND".
This is John Astin's sole performance as The Riddler. Frank Gorshin, the original Prince Of Puzzlers, had a night club commitment which he couldn't avoid, but wasn't too happy at his substitution on the series, thus convincing him to come back in Season 3.
Check out the strange wavy action words during the battle in the underground vault!
Notice The Riddler now carries a cane adorned with a "?" on the top. Also, not once does The Riddler wear his other outfit: a light-green, "?"-covered 3-piece suit with dark green derby hat adorned with a sequined "?" (he also didn't wear it in "The Ring Of Wax/Give 'Em The Axe" [#8725, 3/30-1/66]).
Based on a story featured in Detective Comics #140 (October 1948), which, of course, marked The Prince Of Puzzler's Riddling debut!
Deanna Lund (Anna Gram) went on to play the character of Valerie Scott in the show Land Of The Giants (ABC, 1968-70).
FEBRUARY 9, 1967
"A Riddling Controversy" (prod. # 9745-Pt. 2) first aired @ 7:30p.m. EST on ABC as the 80th episode of Batman.
The footage of The Dynamic Duo flying in The Batcopter is edited from the 1966 Batman movie.
During 1966, Thursday installments of the series were rated the fifth most popular TV show while Wednesday segments were tenth. NBC's Bonanza was the series riding the #1 spot.
FEBRUARY 8, 1968
"The Great Train Robbery" (prod. # 1723-Pt. 2) first aired @ 7:30p.m. EST on ABC as the 116th episode of Batman.
This was Cliff Robertson's final performance of Shame.
Arnold Stang (Peter [gun shop owner]) provided the voice of Top Cat, as well as The Bee in several commercials for Honey Nut Cheerios in the 1980s.
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