Original Airdate: January 19, 1966
Villain: Penguin (Burgess Meredith)
Bruce Wayne is able to escape from his fiery predicament, but Penguin's not too bothered, because he reasons he won't go to the police as Wayne tried to bug his shop, making him a crook himself. At the Batcave, Robin worries about Batman's absence, but Batman returns, though his clothes worse for the wear. He and Robin study the umbrella they brought back last episode for clues of Penguin's next crime.
What they don't know is that there's a secret radio transmitter built into the handle of the umbrella, and Penguin can hear everything Batman and Robin say.
This plays into Penguin's plan - they'll overanalyze the umbrella, and once they discover what crime Penguin's likely to commit, Penguin will actually commit that crime, ensuring that he won't be caught. Batman and Robin focus on the colors of the umbrella - Batman's sure that they are the clues to the crime Penguin's going for. That's when this beautiful exchange occurs:
Robin: "They're [colors of the umbrella] so pretty - it's like a beautiful dawn."
Batman: "Beautiful dawn? Dawn Robbins, the beautiful movie star. She's on location here in Gotham City."
Robin: "Holy popcorn! Could he be planning to kidnap her?"
Batman: "Dawn Robbins in a picture called The Mockingbird produced by Ward Eagle, and she's staying in the penthouse at The Pelican Arms!"
Of course, since there are multiple references to birds, Batman believe it to be Penguin's plan, and then say exactly how Penguin is likely to do it. Penguin, of course, is listening in, and writes down the plan as Batman says is. And of course he kidnaps her.
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| Dawn Robbins |
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| Penguin gliding to Robbins' penthouse |
Batman and Robin, who knew about the attempt (and unknowingly planned it), got there first to protect Dawn Robbins and her manager, but once Penguin used a "Penguin magnet," magnetizing Batman and Robin's utility belts, Penguin is able to escape with the actress.
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| Batman and Robin's magnetized utility belts |
Penguin does slip up, though - he repeats a phrase that Batman used in the Batcave, and so with the knowledge that the umbrella contains a radio transmitter, he sets a trap for Penguin. The trap, of course, works, and Penguin is sent back to prison along with his minions.
Dawn Robbins and her agent attend a social function at Bruce Wayne's manor, and Bruce, put off by Dawn's dismissive attitude, is told by her agent that ever since she laid her eyes on Batman, she was deeply in love, causing Dick Grayson to give a knowing smile.
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| Bruce Wayne speaking to Dawn Robbins |
This was a fine finish to the first part. You had some classic exchanges, amusing quotes ("Batman never lends himself to commercial enterprises"), and a great villain in the Penguin. As I said last episode, Burgess Meredith is a fantastic actor, and his portrayal of Penguin is extraordinarily well-done.
Worth mentioning, I actually thought Penguin's plan of having Batman come up with the crime and the plan to commit the crime unknowingly was pretty interesting. Had Penguin been smarter about it, it would have actually worked, too.
All around a solid episode, though truth be told, it's hard to imagine this series not producing an amusing time.
Rating: Above Average
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