Batman (TV Series) Batman Sets the Pace (1966) User Reviews

Great Part 2 of Joker High Jinx

[DKosty123 · 8/10 · 4 March 2017]

This is a fun part 2 of this installment of the Joker, as it gets into the real reason for all the silly crimes in part 1. What is notable here at this point in the series is some of the dialog between Comissioner Gordon and Chief Ohara. I noted there is a point where Gordon (Hamilton) flubs his script line and O'Hara actually covers for him subtly by suggesting what he should have said, but didn't. These 2 supporting actors are old pros whose experience shows here.

There is plenty of great stuff here for Batman fans. What is amazing this first season is not just the villains, but the way the story lines keep the supporting actors busy as well.

Support like this happened in quite a few of the 1960's sitcoms and this series is no exception. That is because so many veteran actors were available and worked hard to perform that this series is so strong this first season. Even when the scripts get real hokey, the actors bring off the show.

This Joker installment is one of the best of season 1.

Stay tuned for more, same bat time, same bat channel.

Delightful interval with honorable bandit Joker

[kevinolzak · 10/10 · 21 May 2016]

"Batman Sets the Pace" finds the Dynamic Duo actually escaping their gaseous demise in believable fashion, climbing back to back up and out of the chimney without any gimmicks. It's only a matter of time before the Clown Price of Crime demands a ransom for the safe return of the Maharajah of Nimpa (Dan Seymour), and amazingly the Maharajah himself agrees to pay his own ransom! It's a sad day for Batman when he's required to endorse a ransom check written out by the now freed Maharajah, who needs to be corrected in the spelling of Batman's name: "one T!" Despite his pleas not to give in to the Joker's demands, the Maharajah incredibly talks about what an 'honorable bandit' his captor was, unaware that the Caped Crusader has his own ace in the hole that will trump Joker's. The final scene has Commissioner Gordon inquiring about Batman being asked to go to California and run for Governor, which precludes similar questions in "Dizzoner the Penguin." The infectious sense of fun makes this one of the most enjoyable two parters the series produced, and quite a fitting climax to three excellent adventures for Cesar Romero during the abbreviated first season. It's a pity that the collaboration between Francis and Marian Cockrell would extend to only one other two parter, Van Johnson's Minstrel (also involving banking and finance).

SHOW ME THE MONEY, AND THE MAHARAJAH!

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 24 July 2022]

The opening re-cap of the last episode is CLASSIC Batman stuff. Hang tight. And Batman and Robin's escape up a chimney is pretty cool. Finally, the Dynamic Duo crash the Joker's headquarters, and there's lots and lots of POWS and BIFFS --- all to rescue the Maharajah of Nimpa. Veteran heavy Dan Seymour plays the role somewhat in the eccentric style of Victor Buono, in fact for a few seconds, you think it is him. They were both BIG guys and super actors.

In a neat scene, the Joker (Caesar Romero) disguise himself as the Maharajah --just for kicks. A fight breaks out (of course) and with every punch diamonds come gushing out of his robe. See to believe! Watch Batman shove a long prod into the inflated goon. And would you believe the REAL (?) Maharajah agrees to pay his own ransom, asking Batman to endorse the check?? Only a half million dollars, and everybody will be happy!

Jane Wald, a former model, plays the Joker's trusty companion, and one of the most attractive.

Jane held a record of sorts for being asked many times to pose for PLAYBOY magazine --but turned them down every single time. Look for popular actor Johnny Seven (real name Fetto), playing a henchman. About a year later he would land a steady gig playing Lt. Reese on IRONSIDE. Seven guested in more than 600 tv shows, and got his unique "nickname" from fellow soldiers in his unit in WW II.

Another campy episode written by Marian Cockrell, who did many stories for Alfred Hitchcock's tv show. Richard Sarafian directed this cliff hanger, who at the time was also directing I SPY. Fast and really wild, not to be missed. SEASON 1 EPISODE 26 remastered dvd box set.

MEDIOCRE EPISODE OF THE JOKER

[asalerno10 · 6/10 · 30 June 2022]

After robbing a fur shop, Joker sets out to kidnap a visiting Maraja in Gotham City, he achieves his purpose but is chased by the dynamic duo to his lair, the villain traps them inside a pond with poisonous gas but both manage to escape. Later the Maraja communicates with Batman and he himself proposes to organize the payment of his own ransom. The first part has a beautiful view of a golf course but the villain appears little in the episode, the cliffhanger is quite simple, in the second part Joker also appears little on the scene.