Death in Slow Motion

"Death in Slow Motion" was Frank Gorshin's last Riddler adventure until his single third season finale, and by the standards of this first season the silliest yet. An homage to silent comedy, the supporting cast is a dream: Francis X. Bushman, former star of silents, as Mr. Van Jones, an avid collector of silent movie prints, while the beautiful moll is voluptuous Sherry Jackson, with Burt Brandon, Theo Marcuse, and Richard Bakalyan (later seen opposite King Tut, Louie the Lilac, and The Joker) as Riddler henchmen. Walter Woolf King, former co-star of Laurel and Hardy and The Marx Brothers, opens the story as the theater manager who watches The Riddler's impersonation of Charlie Chaplin and thinks it's all an act (he actually steals the box office receipts of $200). The Count of Conundrums has been commissioned by Van Jones to film the first silent comedy in 3 decades, to star an unwitting Batman and Robin, usually a step behind every move made by their arch nemesis. An afternoon gathering featuring spiked lemonade finds Commissioner Gordon and Chief O'Hara telling each other how they really feel! The cliffhanger is a familiar one from the primitive early silent days, Robin on the conveyor belt, about to be sawed in half, leaving the Boy Wonder beside himself! The theater cashier is played by the breathtaking beauty Judy Pace, whose career extended another two decades.

The Riddler has turned over a new leaf. He has become a Charlie Chaplin impersonator. Or he might just taken a vow of silence.

The Riddler goes to the movies as he takes over the Gotham film festival. He steals a few dollars but he has another plan in mind.

The Riddler wants to cause mayhem. He wants to make a silent masterpiece. Batman and Robin will have a starring role.

It is just a case of hoping that the audience do not have a temper tantrum. The Riddler has interfered with the lemonade.

Well it could be a split decision on Robin's performance.

Frank Gorshin is having fun and puts on a great physical performance. The riddles make you groan. As the original comic strip featured the Joker. I did think this was more of a Joker story.

One y'all got to see. A salute to the golden age of Hollywood! For starters, there's Theodore Marcuse (a staple in many 60s tv adventures) who resembled the legendary director Erich von Stroheim. Without too much surprise, he plays silent director von Bloheim, manning the cameras, wearing a pith helmet and is insane.

For film completists there's the legendary silent film star Francis X. Bushman as Mr. Van Jones, a classic movie collector, not insane. Here, the Riddler (Frank Gorshin) mixes with old and new Hollywood as he steals the box office receipts of a movie theater --and has LOTS of fun. His beautiful moll is Sherry Jackson (from the DANNY THOMAS SHOW). There's kooky and quirky stuff going on, and a big BIFF, POWW fight at Van Jones swank Hollywood party. Over the top scene award; Robin gets gassed by Little Bo Peep??? The Riddler's goofy laugh is off the charts.

All this Hollywood fluff may have inspired a classic episode of the AVENGERS, the following year. It was called EPIC, all about a von Stroheim-type of director bent on filming the death of Mrs. Peel in a silent movie. Sound familiar?

Love the "baker" ingredients riddle for Batman and Robin; translation from lie berry to the library, as in Gotham City. Nail 'em guys!

Well directed by veteran Charles Rondeau, who did many action episodes for MISSION IMPOSSIBlE, and it shows. He later directed LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE and the PARTRIDGE FAMILY.

Robin's fate of being tied to a plank and possibly sawed in half may have been inspired from a famous episode of SUPERMAN, "The Perils of Superman." where Perry White was tied up and inching to a gigantic buzz saw. Fun for everyone.

Tune in tomorrow. Same Bat time, Same Bat channel. SEASON 1 EPISODE 31 1966 remastered dvd box set.