The second story in our weekly look at the adventures of the dynamic duo is the first of the best of the villains from this show; the one the writers of the show would keep scripts ready for, just in case he was available.
The episode opens with two men giving umbrellas to a crowd outside a jewelry store, telling them that the lucky umbrella will win them a prize. These umbrellas all explode but then no-one steals anything, how curious. Comissioner Gordon and Chief O'Hara realise that the umbrellas can only be the work of one man, The Penguin (Burgess Meredith), but they know they can't hope to deal with such a master criminal and the call is made to Batman and Robin.
After making an alibi to Aunt Harriet of going on a fishing trip the two heroes head to Police headquarters where they meet with Warden Crichton who shows video footage of the The Penguin from two days before his release lamenting not having a suitable plot, before having some kind of epiphany about what he should do for his next scheme. The dynamic duo begin looking for any umbrella factories opened in Gotham in the last few days and settle upon one owned by a Mr. K.G. Bird (cagey bird? The Penguin!). On the way to the factory they learn that the same men are giving away umbrellas this time outside the bank, rushing there they arrive in time to stop the umbrellas safely with an asbestos blanket (it was the 60s) but again, nothing is taken, what could the Penguin be up to?
The episode opens with two men giving umbrellas to a crowd outside a jewelry store, telling them that the lucky umbrella will win them a prize. These umbrellas all explode but then no-one steals anything, how curious. Comissioner Gordon and Chief O'Hara realise that the umbrellas can only be the work of one man, The Penguin (Burgess Meredith), but they know they can't hope to deal with such a master criminal and the call is made to Batman and Robin.
After making an alibi to Aunt Harriet of going on a fishing trip the two heroes head to Police headquarters where they meet with Warden Crichton who shows video footage of the The Penguin from two days before his release lamenting not having a suitable plot, before having some kind of epiphany about what he should do for his next scheme. The dynamic duo begin looking for any umbrella factories opened in Gotham in the last few days and settle upon one owned by a Mr. K.G. Bird (cagey bird? The Penguin!). On the way to the factory they learn that the same men are giving away umbrellas this time outside the bank, rushing there they arrive in time to stop the umbrellas safely with an asbestos blanket (it was the 60s) but again, nothing is taken, what could the Penguin be up to?
Heading to the factory the Penguin lets them know they have nothing to arrest him for, all he did was make some umbrellas. Batman knows he's technically right and the two leave, but on their way out the Penguin launches a giant orange umbrella with a smaller multi-coloured umbrealla attached into the street. The penguin reveals to his henchmen (Hawkeye and Sparrow) that he doesn't have a plan, he's waiting to see what Batman will think he's doing and then do that, the smaller umbrella is a radio transmitter.
The dynamic duo attempt to analyse the umbrella but find nothing, so decide to plant a radio transmitter of their own (in the shape of a spider) in the penguin's factory. So Batman heads there as Bruce Wayne when he attempts it though an alarm is triggered and a net drops on his head. The Penguin puts him on top of a conveyor belt headed towards a 10,000 degree furnace.
OH, THE IRONY OF IT!
THE HORROR!
THE FLAMING END OF THE CAPED CRUSADER
CAN BRUCE POSSIBLY ESCAPE??
FOR BATMAN'S SAKE! KEEP YOUR BAT FINGERS CROSSED UNTIL TOMORROW!
SAME TIME! SAME CHANNEL!!
The dynamic duo attempt to analyse the umbrella but find nothing, so decide to plant a radio transmitter of their own (in the shape of a spider) in the penguin's factory. So Batman heads there as Bruce Wayne when he attempts it though an alarm is triggered and a net drops on his head. The Penguin puts him on top of a conveyor belt headed towards a 10,000 degree furnace.
OH, THE IRONY OF IT!
THE HORROR!
THE FLAMING END OF THE CAPED CRUSADER
CAN BRUCE POSSIBLY ESCAPE??
FOR BATMAN'S SAKE! KEEP YOUR BAT FINGERS CROSSED UNTIL TOMORROW!
SAME TIME! SAME CHANNEL!!
Part two of our story begins with the heat of the furnace waking Bruce Wayne just in time for him to throw his lighter into the flames creating a blast that puts out the flames and flings him far enough to escape his entrapment, the Penguin allows this, having more important matters at hand.
Returning to the Batcave Batman and Robin attempt to solve the mystery of the coloured umbrella, figuring the colours must be a clue to the Penguin's scheme, could he be planning to steal the jewel encrusted meteorite at the museum? No the security is too good, not even The Penguin could do that. Robbins comments that the colours remind him of a beautiful dawn leading Batman to one of the greatest conclusions of all time from beautiful dawn he realises that The Penguin must want to kidnap Dawn Robin, the beautiful movie star (no, really). Listening in The Penguin decides this is a perfect scheme and follows, to the letter, the way Batman thinks he would do it.
Batman and Robin head to Dawn Robbins' Penthouse and she agrees to let them stake out the place, clearly smitten with Batman. However the Penguin and his finks show up and by trapping Batman and Robin to a giant magnet by the metal in their utility belts they get away with Robbins. Later, after having been freed by a helpful room service waiter Batman and Robin set up a deal to have Alfred pay the ransom Penguin is demanding, but Batman and Robin will hide in nearby suits of armour within Stately Wayne Manor. Overhearing this via the bugged umbrella Penguin plans to carry on with the exchange but knocks out Alfred with gas before gassing Batman and Robin in their suits of armour, returning Robbins and taking the money.
Returning to the Batcave Batman and Robin attempt to solve the mystery of the coloured umbrella, figuring the colours must be a clue to the Penguin's scheme, could he be planning to steal the jewel encrusted meteorite at the museum? No the security is too good, not even The Penguin could do that. Robbins comments that the colours remind him of a beautiful dawn leading Batman to one of the greatest conclusions of all time from beautiful dawn he realises that The Penguin must want to kidnap Dawn Robin, the beautiful movie star (no, really). Listening in The Penguin decides this is a perfect scheme and follows, to the letter, the way Batman thinks he would do it.
Batman and Robin head to Dawn Robbins' Penthouse and she agrees to let them stake out the place, clearly smitten with Batman. However the Penguin and his finks show up and by trapping Batman and Robin to a giant magnet by the metal in their utility belts they get away with Robbins. Later, after having been freed by a helpful room service waiter Batman and Robin set up a deal to have Alfred pay the ransom Penguin is demanding, but Batman and Robin will hide in nearby suits of armour within Stately Wayne Manor. Overhearing this via the bugged umbrella Penguin plans to carry on with the exchange but knocks out Alfred with gas before gassing Batman and Robin in their suits of armour, returning Robbins and taking the money.
However when he returns to his hideout Batman and Robin are there waiting; they figured out The Penguin had the umbrella bugged when he repeated an exact phrase Batman had used during the kidnapping and had set up dummies in the suits of armour to ensure Miss Robbins safe return by letting the Penguin think he could get away with it. The inevitable fight happens and The Penguin will be sent back to jail. Then later at a party held at Stately Wayne Manor Miss Robbins arrives, but is distracted by her feelings for Batman.
This is another heap of fun, carrying on the same joyous momentum of the first story, but in a different way. Burgess Meredith is a joy to watch as the penguin, hamming it up a storm and clearly loving every minute of it and playing it for all the comedy it's worth and considering he had no plan other than make Batman think he had one there's a lot of comedy to be played from it, he was the writers' favourite and it's easy to see why.
So come back next week as Batman goes up against his most dangerous and deadly foe of all, the Joker.
This is another heap of fun, carrying on the same joyous momentum of the first story, but in a different way. Burgess Meredith is a joy to watch as the penguin, hamming it up a storm and clearly loving every minute of it and playing it for all the comedy it's worth and considering he had no plan other than make Batman think he had one there's a lot of comedy to be played from it, he was the writers' favourite and it's easy to see why.
So come back next week as Batman goes up against his most dangerous and deadly foe of all, the Joker.