This may be a fleeting ambition, but I'm going to try to evaluate
every episode (or at least, every storyline pairing) in the classic
1960's Batman series, under the tagline "Camp Crusaders!" It only just
became available on DVD after all these years... and it's glorious.
Season One, Episodes 1-2: Hi Diddle Riddle/Smack in the Middle
Personal Rating: C+
This one has that weird, slightly "off" feel you often see with pilot episodes.
Villain
Spotlight:
I've never been a huge fan of Frank Gorshin's Riddler (or
any Riddler, for that matter) but you have to give him credit for his
manic energy.
Social Commentary:
Can the law really be fair and just when the Riddler traps Batman in a fake lawsuit?
The
Zen of Camp:
"I shouldn't wish to attract attention," says Batman, as
he walks in full costume through the discotheque. He
soon receives a compliment: "You shake a pretty mean cape, Batman."
Other Cool Stuff:
Yes, that was a rotary phone in the Bat Cave. It was the 60's, after all.
Notes:
The narrator is so essential in setting the tone for these shows, establishing distance from the absurdity while enacting the absurdity, layering on extra irony, and generally sounding awesomely pompous. The alliteration so frequently employed by the characters adds a dimension of pop poetry to the proceedings.
Agreed. This one feels a touch overcooked. The Penguin one up next is much better.
ReplyDeleteAgree about the narration, though I think just as crucial was Neil Hamilton’s pompously earnest Commissioner Gordon. Really sells those alliterative villain descriptions and dire situations.
Gotham City should thank it's lucky stars that someone like Commissioner Gordon is watching over it. Or at least being worried and alliterative.
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