Hi Diddle Riddle

Infobox Television episode | Title = Hi Diddle Riddle


Series = Batman
Season = 1
Episode = 1
Airdate = January 12 1966 (ABC)
Production = 6028-Pt. 1
Writer = Lorenzo Semple Jr.
Director = Robert Butler
Guests = Michael Fox,
Jack Barry,
Ben Astar,
O'Flyn Damian,
Richard Reeves,
William Dozier,
Jill St. John,
Richard Reeves (uncredited)
Special Guest Villain: Frank Gorshin as The Riddler
Prev = Series Pilot
Next = Smack in the Middle

"Hi Diddle Riddle" was the first half-hour length episode of "Batman" to air, first broadcast on ABC January 12, 1966 and repeated on August 24, 1966 and April 5, 1967. It marked the first appearance of Frank Gorshin as The Riddler.

Plot Synopsis

At The Republic Of Moldavia in The Gotham City World's Fair, The Riddler's scheme to use the law against The Batman is already taking shape, as the Moldavian prime minister slices into the Moldavian Friendship cake and unknowingly triggers a hidden bomb inside, releasing a concealed riddle. This riddle leads The Dynamic Duo to The Peale Art Gallery where they catch The Prince Of Puzzlers, the Riddler in the act of taking a cross from its proprietor, Gideon Peale, at gunpoint. They stop him with an explosive but learn to their horror that Riddler's gun was actually a lighter and the cross was his to begin with. Riddler whistles and some lawyers arrive bearing subpoenas in which The Riddler hands to Batman. Batman is slated to be sued for false arrest!

The Dynamic Duo must uncover The Riddler's plot before the case comes to trial or Batman will be forced to reveal his true identity in court, completely destroying his value as an ace crimefighter and stunting his career forever. Batman reveals that he knew the gun Riddler had was a fake, yet pretended to arrest Riddler so as to uncover Riddler's scheme.

Two hidden riddles in the legal documents lead Batman and Robin to the new What A Way To Go-Go! discotheque. The Riddler informs his gang, The Mole Hill Mob, that Batman has had time to solve his clue. As the Riddler and The Mole Hill Mob make their way through an underground corridor to the discotheque, his plan is again put into action. Being a minor, Robin: The Boy Wonder is legally forbidden to enter the disco, so he waits outside in The Batmobile and monitors Batman on the Batscope. While Batman dances the Batusi with The Riddler's assistant, Molly, his orange juice is drugged. Watching from outside, Robin attempts to help Batman, but falls victim to The Riddler's tranquilizer dart gun. Riddler tries to steal The Batmobile but accidentally triggers its antitheft rockets. He then tries to destroy the car but the flames are extinguished by its Bat-o-stat Antifire Activator! Robin is carried away down a manhole by The Riddler and The Mole Hill Mob. Batman finds himself in no condition to pursue them and is forced to surrender his Batkeys to the police at the most inopportune time.

Meanwhile, at The Riddler's hideout, Robin is strapped to a table as The Riddler, who's surrounded by Molly and The Mole Hill Mob, attempts to operate on the unconscious boy.

Cliffhanger Text

: WILL ROBIN ESCAPE?: CAN BATMAN FIND HIM IN TIME?: IS THIS THE GHASTLY END OF OUR DYNAMIC DUO?: ANSWERS...TOMORROW NIGHT! SAME TIME, SAME CHANNEL!: ONE HINT--THE WORST IS YET TO COME!

Trivia

* William Dozier said the primary inspiration for him to do this series was hearing reports of how Hugh Hefner would screen the 1949 "Batman" serials at the Playboy club for Playmates and visiting guests every Saturday night, and in a campy gesture, everyone would cheer the heroes and boo the villains.
* Batman is more of an outsider in this episode, as he would be forced to remove his mask in court. Later episodes ignore this and not only have Batmsn in court, but allow him to sub for the district attorney.
* Some sources credit the TV series makers as the creators of the Aunt Harriet character when actually she first appeared in the comic books in 1964, two years before the television show.
* The actor who played the villain would always be credited as the "Special Guest Villain"
* Each main villain had their own theme music
* At the time this episode aired, Alfred was thought to be dead in the comics.
* The producers originally envisioned a 60-minute "Batman" series, but decided to trim it to 30-minute 2-parters as exhibition.
* Though he fails to do so here, The Riddler would later on finally steal The Batmobile in Episode #8725-Pt. 1, "The Ring of Wax."
* Batman's disco appearance and subsequent dance number gave rise to a brief dance craze over the "Batusi".
* Variations between the Bat-pilot and regular series: opening theme is slightly different and the superimposed cliffhanger texts are angled. Also these are the only episodes of Batman's entire series run to feature a "Special Guest" credit (Jill St. John as Molly) preceding the ever-present "Special Guest Villain" credit.
* Aunt Harriet was written into the series to counter the rumors that Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson were gay. The series producers felt that a female aunt would "round out" Wayne Manor.
* Cathy Ferrar said "Gleeps! It's Batman!" in episode #1, gained some notoriety and became known as the "Gleeps Girl." She returned in episode #8727-Pt. 1, "The Joker Trumps An Ace," with an additional five syllables to her role ("Crime is certainly rampant these days!").
* "Hi Diddle Riddle" was misprinted as "Hey Diddle Diddle" in a "TV Guide" Close-Up detailing its telecast on ABC.
* Writer Lorenzo Semple Jr. composed the screenplay for the 1966 Batman feature film.
* The footage first seen in "Hi Diddle Riddle" of The Dynamic Duo preparing to zoom out of The Batcave ("Atomic batteries to power, turbines to speed!" "Roger, ready to move out.") is recycled in many later episodes and in the 1966 Batman movie.
* This is the only time that Alfred Pennyworth wears a tuxedo throughout the entire episode. Also, Robin makes his only appearance wearing green cloth gloves (matching the fabric of his green tights); later episodes would have him wearing green leather gloves.
* Based on "Remarkable Ruse of the Riddler" from "Batman" #171 (May 1965), written by Gardner Fox; in it, The Riddler, jealous of the attention Batman is giving The Mole Hill Mob, arranges a trap so Batman will apprehend the gang and give The Riddler The Caped Crusader's undivided attention.
* The character of Aunt Harriet also made her way into the comic book storylines as well. In fact, she was a semi-regular character into the mid-1970s until she was completely written out of the comics.
* The scenes of The World's Fair used in this episode are actual footage taken at the 1964-5 New York World's Fair.
*Dick Reeves (Doorman) played several villains in the 1952-58 "Adventures of Superman" series.

References

* [http://www.tv.com/batman-1966/hi-diddle-riddle-1/episode/6136/summary.html Batman (1966): Hi Diddle Riddle (1) - TV.com] . Retrieved December 28, 2006.