Robin in Thirteenth Hat (2/23/1966) & Batman Stands Pat (2/24/1966)

 

Robin the Boy Wonder is the eager, youthful sidekick of Batman, the Caped Crusader, the vigilante crime-fighting alias of millionaire playboy Bruce Wayne.  Introduced in 1940 as orphaned acrobat Dick Grayson in the DC comic book series Batman, Robin was played by Burt Ward in the 1966 television series on ABC.

As played by Burt Ward, Robin has a cute, boyish face, clean-cut, brown hair, and a compact, athletic physique which fits perfectly with his character's acrobatic background.  His colorful outfit, with his dark green mask, gloves, and booties, his bright, red shirt, his shiny, yellow cape, his tight, green panties, and his form-fitting, flesh-color leggings, certainly catches the audience's attention.

Due to his youth, inexperience, and smaller size, the Boy Wonder is clearly the weak link in the Dynamic Duo, which their opponents often seek to exploit.  Robin is also cocky, enthusiastic, and overly eager to prove his independent crime-fighting abilities, especially to Batman.  He is often in trouble and in need of rescue.

This week's villain is the Mad Hatter.  

In the first episode, the Mad Hatter impersonates a sculptor in order to lure the Caped Crusader into a trap.  During the ensuing fight, Robin is immobilized by a mesmerizing ray, and a stunned Batman is encased in quick-drying cement.

In the next episode, Batman holds his breath until the sculptor liberates him and then frees Robin.

Favorite shots: 

In the first episode, the Boy Wonder catches a stray shot of the Mad Hatter's mesmerizing ray.  When he is revived, he is tied to a life-sized horse sculpture.  

In the second episode, during a fight with the Mad Hatter and his men, Robin needs to be rescued twice.  First, he is stunned by a blow to the back of his head and placed on a conveyor belt designed to skin small, fur-bearing animals.  Later, the Mad Hatter chokes Robin with his gloved hands and tries to push the youthful sidekick into a vat of acid.  For the first of many times in the series, a desperate Boy Wonder cries to Batman for help.

This blog is intended to promote the appreciation of Burt Ward's portrayal of Robin in the 1966 television series "Batman".  You may purchase both episodes at the following link:

https://www.amazon.com/Hi-Diddle-Riddle/dp/B00OLZVMY8/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=batman+1966&qid=1620375265&sr=8-3

Previous blog:  Robin in Riddle a Day Keeps the Riddler Away (2/16/1966) & When the Rat's Away, the Mice Will Play (2/17/1966)

Next blog:  Joker Goes to School (3/2/1966) & He Meets His Match Grisly Ghoul (3/3/1966)