BASEBALL ON TV — “Batman” (Featuring: Jim Lefebvre & Al Ferrara)

Seven Episodes: (1966-68)

REVIEWED BY MARK A. LARSON
Editor & Publisher

It might have been the “campiest” show to hit prime time TV since network broadcasts began.

“Campy” = Over-the-top and cheesy.

Look in almost any dictionary and you just might see a photo from the “Batman” TV series under the word campy. 

No, not really. But the show was deliberately silly when it premiered in January 1966. What made it work was that as absurd as it sometimes was, the cast played it all straight … with perfection.

Based on the Batman DC comic books, actors Adam West and Burt Ward portrayed the crime-fighting “Dynamic Duo,” Batman and Robin. Their mission was to keep Gotham City safe from the likes of such sinister villains as: The Joker, The Riddler, The Penguin and Catwoman among others. Batman was an instant hit with its camp humor, comic book-style fight scenes — Pow!! … Boff! … Z-zwap! — and myriad of famous actors who made appearances on the show as “guest villains.” It was on the ABC network until 1968, with 120 episodes over three seasons.

Batman was on twice a week during the first two seasons. The first half hour aired on Wednesday evening and always ended as a cliffhanger, with the announcer solemnly advising “Tune in tomorrow night … Same Bat-time, Same Bat-Channel.” The second episode on Thursday night was the conclusion of the Wednesday show. In the third season, the show was reduced to only one half hour per week. (Most times, the following episode was unrelated). The third – and final — season also saw the addition of Yvonne Craig as “Batgirl.”

Each of the episodes mentioned in this article have some connection to baseball – either a baseball-related scene or a then active player who joined the show’s acting ranks in a minor role.

Episodes: “The Joker is Wild” plus
“Batman is Riled” (1966)

The Joker has sprung himself while pitching in a prison softball game

That laugh. … Oh, that laugh. … That hideous, twisted, diabolical laugh. … It was enough to send shivers down one’s spine. … After all, who could ever forget actor Cesar Romero laughing uproariously as the clown prince of villainy, “The Joker,” on the Batman TV series?

This episode begins with The Joker in prison — where he belongs! — and pitching for the “Cell Block 8” softball team. He’s effective on the mound, as he strikes out batter-after-batter. But we ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

After one of the hitters swings and misses on the first pitch, the catcher clandestinely switches softballs and nods to the Joker. On the next pitch, the batter hits the ball and BOOM! … it explodes — leaving a cloud of smoke and dust that envelopes the entire infield. After it clears, The Joker is nowhere to be found. Yet, there’s a giant spring on the mound … the laughing villain has literally sprung out of prison.

Later, it’s discovered The Joker landed on a large net and is now on the loose ready to torment Gotham City. Batman says he fashioned the spring in the prison machine shop. (No explanation of how a giant spring got under the pitcher’s mound, however.)

The connection to baseball is all in the first five minutes of “The Joker is Wild” episode. (The follow-up second episode, “Batman is Riled,” is baseball-free.) If nothing else, those five minutes are classic.

A Note About Cesar Romero who played The Joker in 22 episodes: From the 1930s to 1950s, he was known for playing “Latin Lover” roles in films. He took on his Batman role at age 59 and 20 years later appeared in 52 episodes of the prime time soap “Falcon Crest.”

Episodes: “Batman’s Anniversary” plus
“A Riddling Controversy” (1967)

“The Riddler” has a mustache?

This episode of Batman is most notable for the appearance of John Astin as The Riddler. Astin was well-known at the time for playing Gomez Addams on the “Addams Family” television series from 1964-66. Previously, Frank Gorshin played The Riddler in eight episodes and later two more after the mustachioed Astin. (There are varying accounts on why Gorshin was replaced.) For some fans of the series — who were used to Gorshin’s charismatic portrayal of Batman’s arch enemy – Astin’s performance was somewhat of a letdown. Like most of the Batman TV series, “Batman’s Anniversary” was part of a two-episode arc … the second being “A Riddling Controversy.”

Los Angeles Dodgers’ infielder Jim Lefebrve appears as “Across,” one of The Riddler’s thugs in this 1967 episode. Like most of the villains’ entourages on Batman, his main duties were to stand around and support The Riddler’s fiendish antics. Plus, of course, he participates in the fistfights against Batman and Robin. Lefebrve was the National League “Rookie of the Year” in 1965 and an All-Star choice the following year. He spent his entire eight-year big league career with Los Angeles and participated in two World Series. (Lefebrve also had small roles on other TV shows throughout the years, including “Gilligan’s Island” and “M*A*S*H” – both of which are reviewed on this website.)

Episodes: “Black Widow Stikes Again” plus
“Caught in the Spider’s Den” (1967)
&
Episode: “Minerva, Mayhem and Millionaires (1968)”

Eeeeeek .. it’s Black Widow.

The Dodgers’ Al Ferrara appeared as a bad guy two separate times on Batman. The first was as the goon “Trap Door” in two half-hour second-season episodes (“Black Widow Strikes Again” and the follow-up “Caught in the Spider’s Den.”) “Black Widow” was portrayed deliciously by Talulah Bankhead, long time star of stage, screen, radio and television. A particularly idiotic scene involves Batman and Robin interacting with a stilted animatronic couple — used as a diversion by Black Widow – sitting on a porch in rocking chairs and who apparently just fell out of a turnip truck. … It’s a hoot.

Like Jim Lefebrve, mentioned above, Al Ferrara had bit television parts as an active player and beyond. An outfielder for the Dodgers and Padres, Ferrara played in 500 major games between 1963-71. He batted in one World Series game for Los Angeles in 1966 … going one-for-one at the plate, a perfect 1.000 average.

In Batman’s third season, Ferrara appeared as “Atlas,” one of Minerva’s henchmen in “Minerva, Mayhem and Millionaires.” Zsa Zsa Gabor played the crooked spa owner Minerva. Even though this was just one half-hour show, Ferrara had more screen time and dialogue compared to his previous Batman appearance.

About Talulah Bankhead and Zsa Zsa Gabor: Bankhead’s stint as a Batman villainess was her last film/television appearance, as she passed away the following year. … Gabor had a long list of television and movie credits before Batman. In real life, she obviously believed in the institution of marriage as she tied the knot nine times, dahhhling.

— M E M O R A B L E —

— “Holy Topps Cards, Batman!” —

1966 Topps (Black Bat)

With the sudden popularity of the TV series in 1966, Topps went bat-crazy – issuing no less than five sets dedicated to the Dynamic Duo. The first three issues were done in comic book style. They are similar, but distinguished from each other by the color of the bat on card fronts … black, red and blue. Backs vary from set-to-set. Together, the three sets totaled 143 cards: 55 (black bat); 44 (red bat); and 44 (blue bat).

Left: 1966 Topps Batman with Riddler back ………. Right: 1966 Topps Batman with Bat Laffs back

The fourth and fifth Batman sets issued by Topps in 1966 are closely related to the television show as they feature actual photos. The first one is commonly known as the “Riddler Back” (see above). It consists of 38 cards with fronts having a black border with red “photo album corners.” The final Topps Batman offering in ‘66 is known as “Bat Laffs.” It was marketed as “Batman Real Photos” and included 55 cards.

♪ ♪ And Just in Case You Want to Sing Along ♫ ♫

Here are the lyrics to the Batman theme song playing over the opening credits:

♪ ♪ “Batman!” … “Batman!” … “Batman!” … “Batman!” … “Batman!” … “Batman!” … “Batman!” …
“Batman!” … “Batman!” … “Batman!” … “Batman!” ♫ ♫

While the lyrics weren’t much, at least the tune was catchy.

TO VIEW A LIST OF THE OTHER 26 TELEVISION SHOWS REVIEWED ON THIS WEBSITE:

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NOTE: To find out if this show is available in your area, use a search engine and type in: “Where to watch BATMAN” … In general, know that some television programs are currently only available on DVD, so check your local library … Others may not be available at all at this time.

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