Robin in Purr-Fect Crime (3/16/1966) & Better Luck Next Time (3/17/1966)

 

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 Catwoman.  

In the first episode, Batman and Robin are trapped in Catwoman's underground playroom.  The Boy Wonder is trapped in a transparent tube and sucked up into the ceiling, while the Caped Crusader is left to face a hungry tiger.

In the next episode, Batman climbs out of reach of the tiger, installs his earplugs, and uses sound to scramble the tiger's brain, allowing him to escape and find Robin.

Favorite shots: 

For fans of Robin peril, this is a wonderful pair of episodes.

In the first episode, the Boy Wonder is left by himself as the Caped Crusader checks the exits.  While he is on his own, Robin is subdued by a little, black cat.  Fortunately, the Boy Wonder uses the bat communicator to call for help and is rescued by Batman.  For the first time in the series, Robin suffers the humiliation of being imperiled by a small animal.  

Also, for the second time in the series, a desperate Boy Wonder cries to Batman for help.  The first time was in "Batman Stands Pat" with Mad Hatter, when Robin was being choked and pulled towards a vat of acid.

Later, Robin is trapped in a transparent tube and sucked into the ceiling.

In the next episode, Robin boasts that the Dynamic Duo know about Catwoman's criminal plans before being gassed.  Fortunately, the Boy Wonder was wrong, inasmuch as he may have revealed to the villain their plans to capture her.

Later, Robin wakes up to find himself balanced precariously over a pit of hungry tigers.  The Caped Crusader finds the Boy Wonder in time and rescues him.

During the fight, one of Catwoman's henchman chokes Robin with a leather strap until the Caped Crusader rescues his youthful partner in crimefighting.

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 True or False Face (3/9/1966) & Holy Rat Race (3/10/1966)

Next blog:  Robin in Penguin Goes Straight (3/23/1966) & Not Yet He Ain't (3/24/1966)