"Batman's Anniversary"/"A Riddling Controversy" marked for me the first time that the 1966 Batman series began to let me down. After all, someone else was playing The Riddler, not Frank Gorshin. I guess it was an omen of what was to come for me when it comes to this TV series.
Fast forward 45 years later, and the episode is not so bad. Yes, Frank Gorshin is MIA here, and we have the truly superb John Astin in the role. Mr. Astin is clearly trying his best to fill in a role that Mr. Gorshin really made his own, and his effort really shows. Deanna Lund, whom I have personally met, provides a really spirited performance as well.
But the episode falls short because the producers could not bring back Frank Gorshin for the second season, and the plot itself seems a little off. Overall, the stresses of Season Two are starting to really show here. The remainder of the season would have some hits and some misses, but it was clear the series was going a little awry.
I gave this episode an "8" because of Mr. Astin and Ms. Lund. They really give a fine effort, in spite of the handicaps.
Fast forward 45 years later, and the episode is not so bad. Yes, Frank Gorshin is MIA here, and we have the truly superb John Astin in the role. Mr. Astin is clearly trying his best to fill in a role that Mr. Gorshin really made his own, and his effort really shows. Deanna Lund, whom I have personally met, provides a really spirited performance as well.
But the episode falls short because the producers could not bring back Frank Gorshin for the second season, and the plot itself seems a little off. Overall, the stresses of Season Two are starting to really show here. The remainder of the season would have some hits and some misses, but it was clear the series was going a little awry.
I gave this episode an "8" because of Mr. Astin and Ms. Lund. They really give a fine effort, in spite of the handicaps.