The Catwoman Goeth

Pre-fame James Brolin, as the annoying cop who tries to give Batman a hard time, looks like Christian Bale! It struck me that Batman of this era is every bit as off-the-wall as the villains, which is really not that far from the contemporary notion Batman as "crazy." Crazy like a fox, but still just the flip-side of the same twisted coin. The Dark Knight is every bit as self-possessed & egotistic as his villainous counterparts, without the wacky edge of the 1960s TV series.

The Batman opening featuring the comic book likenesses perfectly sets up this series; not since Peter Gunn had a TV theme song rocked with such adrenalin-pumping intensity. During the show, the theme is goosed during the fight scenes for even greater impact.

The Sandman is a dull and bland villain, Catwoman's involvement saves the episode. The European villain Sandman arrives in Gotham City and teams up with Catwoman to trick an Italian millionairess and seize her fortune. When the dynamic duo manages to find Sandman's hiding place they are taken prisoner, Batman is put in a machine that drills and sews mattress buttons, Robin is led to Catwoman who locks him in one of her labyrinths, what the villain ignores is that Sandman is planning to betray her and not share the spoils. Aware of this, Catwoman will take revenge by freeing Robin so that, together with Batman, they do not allow Sandman to get away with it.

"The Catwoman Goeth" finds Batman easily evading the stitching machine by allowing it to cut loose one of his bonds, removing his utility belt, and swinging it into position to shut the contraption off! Meanwhile, Robin recovers from his sleeping sickness in Catwoman's electrified maze, before Batman confronts the flirtatious kitten to inform her that Sandman has run off to marry J. Pauline Spaghetti (Spring Byington) and her billions. With Catwoman again in custody, the Caped Crusader rescues Robin (offscreen), then rushes to the Batboat to make their way to J. Pauline Spaghetti Island, where the wealthy widow has buried all four of her husbands, prompting a priceless double take from Sandman when he notices an empty space intended for number 5! It's not much of a Batfight to conclude this one, but considering the alterations it could have been a total flop (resulting in many details being talked about but never shown). One sequence that seemed odd was when the Caped Crusader recovers his stolen Batmobile, only to be lectured on three separate traffic violations from by-the-book officer James Brolin! (first seen in "The Cat and the Fiddle," next seen in "Ring Around the Riddler"). The British Michael Rennie was actually a better choice than the rotund Robert Morley, no doubt quite comfortable in his custom made fur coat, remembered for his starring role as Klaatu in 1951's sci fi classic "The Day the Earth Stood Still," more recently returned to the genre in the 1966 "Cyborg 2087" and appearances on both TIME TUNNEL and LOST IN SPACE ("The Keeper"). Julie Newmar's previous episode was only two weeks ago, her next in three weeks, quite busy building her iconic Catwoman into the stuff of male dreams. This was only the second series appearance for the Batboat (and its last), after "Walk the Straight and Narrow," in the same stock footage shot for the feature film.

You knew it was coming.... In the last episode, Catwoman and the Sandman (Michael Rennie) were supposed to be a team, after the billions of J. Pauline Spaghetti (so well played by Spring Byington).

Sandman fakes out Catwoman, and runs off to marry Pauline and get the mazuma all for himself --so he thinks!

Over the top stuff, beginning with Robin being trapped by the Catwoman. Burt Ward actually paid a price for all these kidnappings, having to do all the stunts himself, and occasionally getting injured. Adam West DID, in fact, have his own stunt double.

In a bizarro scene, the Sandman visits J Pauline Spaghetti's island where all her dead husbands are buried??? From a distance, the island looks like Catalina!

Naturally, the famous Batboat is used here, the true STAR of this episode. The Batboat was probably as famous as the Batmobile, but not used as much.

The boat was made by Glastrom, a fiberglass company, at Austin, Texas, the creation of company president Robert Hammond. Hammond installed a Chevrolet V-6 engine in the boat, with a top speed of 45 MPH. The Batboat is still around today, owned by a promoter in Tennessee.

James Brolin, a few years before co-starring on MARCUS WELBY, plays a not too nice cop who wants to give Batman no less than three tickets! Note the building background locations, which are actually part of the Fox studio offices and sound stages.

Good direction by George Waggner, who directed 10 episodes. Waggner is best known for directing THE WOLFMAN (1941), starring Lon Chaney, also associated with the cult tv show, 77 SUNSET STRIP.

By the way, Catwoman's address is the Catacombs Condominiums. Good trivia question.

Don't miss this, at least to catch a glimpse of the way cool Batboat. SEASON 2 EPISODE 34 remastered color.