Nora Clavicle and the Ladies' Crime Club

Under pressure from his wife, the mayor of Gotham fires Commissioner Gordon and appoints ultra-feminist villain Nora Clavicle in his place. She is immediately in charge of replacing all the male members of the Police Department with women and launches an unusual plan that consists of dispersing thousands of toy mice with an explosive charge so that at midnight when they explode simultaneously they destroy the City. This is an extremely entertaining episode that perhaps today can be considered sexist, since it presents women as fools who only deal with superficial tasks. The writers were very creative in adapting the famous Pied Piper of Hamelin story into a Batman story, which has a hilarious result. Many describe this episode as the worst of the series due to its sexist content, but you have to place yourself in time and space to be able to enjoy it and understand that everything is done as a joke and in an exaggerated way. I personally found the episode hilarious and very entertaining.

Look, I love the campy old 60s Batman, for fun, ridiculousness, fun, even some satire at times.

I watched the entire series in it's initial run, not fervent fan, but would always watch as kid. So here I am tonight and see it on the guide with "Nora Clavicle" in the description as villain, and for the life of me I didn't recall this villain! So, I figured I would give it a watch.....

But THIS one is just THE WORST of any episode! Fine, some episodes BAD, but they have at least some good moment or line or something. But THIS one has NONE!

No fights (OK understood not having Batman and Robin fight females, but how about BatGirl stepping in and subdue them?

But no.

Worst "peril" ever, Human knot! Knot even a good moment there (pun intended)! How about if BatGirl had come up with the solution out of some Yoga training or something!?

But no.

Worst ending. Alfred brings them in for what? Speeding?

Worst villain. Not campy fun, like a professor conking head and become Tut. When you watch Tut it's by NO means the idea that ALL Professors have this proclivity..... Yet with this episode you're left with the idea that ANY/ALL women's libber would be essentially Nora!!

I know "it's the 60s" and to some degree those type ideas existed, but this one just goes WAY over any boundaries, even taking that into account.

But even the episode compared to all other Batman's just doesn't have any good moments.

The reviewers here have it right, most 1s and 2s. But so how the overall average is at 5.8 is also WAY beyond any understanding. Free Speech, fine..... Here's mine: if you rated this higher than 3, you're not being honest or responsible.

I rate this episode 5 for one reason... I don't know if I should have enjoyed it or not.

This entire episode I spent open jawed at the blatant sexism on display along with the worst jeopardy of any episode (and this being Batman that says a lot)a human knot? REALLY? Upon the request of Nora Clavicle, the new Commissioner of Gotham, all the police officers are replaced with women. Batman and Robin having nothing to do decide to investigate the reason women are now in charge. After a "human knot" involving the dynamic trio and a bank robbery with the most sexist of overtones (undertones far to subtle for this show) we run into the greatest plan ever... because all women... and only women... are scared of mice.

I feel dirty after watching this. Like a car crash. I shouldn't crane my neck and slow down to see, but somehow I do.

I'm glad this sexism doesn't exist today but my god I laughed... I just hope I did it ironically. As I hope will you, if you dare watch.

Even though it's not up to the better story lines and writing, it's worth watching so younger women can get a feel for the ridicule woman would face in the 50's and 60's ( the "good old days" some people want to go back to). Probably one of the most sexist comedy TV episodes, it's a good peek at extremes that did exist. My mom was a banker and couldn't even have her own account or credit card in these times.

However, I do enjoy comedies like "Our Man Flint" and some of the 60's sex comedies for their spoofyness when taken in context, though I'll still wince at the "absurdity" of women able to govern and other tropes. Believe it or not, as a young girl these shows made me imagine what was possible for women, rather than failing at it. Times were changing, and the movement was already in motion. I already believed anything was possible for me thanks to my parents and seeing more actresses of all cultures and roles was a good boost, even if imperfect.

Thank you to the reviewers who also referenced the actors and other shows they were in.

Truth will set you free, But first it will piss you off!

...at Stanford Sherman

~jodawa.