"When the Rat's Away the Mice Will Play" opens with the drive shafts' power shorted out by Batman's cutting torch, which he was able to reach in his utility belt with one hand. This unlikely turn goes unnoticed by The Riddler and his River Rats, moving forward with their ultimate goal, allowing King Boris (Reginald Denny) to deliver his statue to the Queen of Freedom monument, unaware that Riddler has planted a time bomb inside, demanding a million dollar ransom to deactivate it. Commissioner Gordon calls upon Bruce Wayne to supply the necessary cash, allowing the millionaire playboy the opportunity to meet Batman (!), actually a disguised River Rat named Whitey (Roy Jenson), who suggests no police at the museum drop site so that he and Robin can make the snatch themselves. Still believing the Dynamic Duo to be defunct, The Riddler is astonished to reach for the missing replica, only to find a riddle for him waiting: "what squeals louder than a caught rat, several caught rats!" ("I've been outriddled!"). It's almost a shame that Frank Gorshin's manic performance has to come to an end, but he'd be back twice more this first season. The one cameo here is that of Marvin Miller (THE MILLIONAIRE), as the T.V. Announcer for the live presentation from King Boris.
5 Reviews
Pure Luck Prevails
DKosty1238 January 2017
Warning: Spoilers
If not for Batman's Utility Belt, this episode would have ended the series. Riddler and the rats get snared into the believe he has killed Batman and Robin.
Meanwhile, Comissioner Gordon summons Bruce Wayne for money to pay for the abduction of ..but while Wayne is in his office -Batman shows up. For the first time in the series, Bruce Wayne actually faces himself and is beside himself. It is really quite an act.
The Riddler provides quite a chase here. His clues do get simpler while he believes Batman is dead, but then he actually makes things pretty complicated for everybody. This is a fitting conclusion for the 12th episode of this 30 minute classic series.
This is the second part of Gorshin's best Riddler episodes in the series. It would have been a real sacrifice if he had ever not been available but fortunately he was. I still wish Julie Newmar could have done Cat Woman in the movie, but she was one of 3 women to do the role on the show. If the show had run longer, would there have been 9?
There is only one Riddler, and when does a riddle make Batman scared? Never, Bat Fans.
Meanwhile, Comissioner Gordon summons Bruce Wayne for money to pay for the abduction of ..but while Wayne is in his office -Batman shows up. For the first time in the series, Bruce Wayne actually faces himself and is beside himself. It is really quite an act.
The Riddler provides quite a chase here. His clues do get simpler while he believes Batman is dead, but then he actually makes things pretty complicated for everybody. This is a fitting conclusion for the 12th episode of this 30 minute classic series.
This is the second part of Gorshin's best Riddler episodes in the series. It would have been a real sacrifice if he had ever not been available but fortunately he was. I still wish Julie Newmar could have done Cat Woman in the movie, but she was one of 3 women to do the role on the show. If the show had run longer, would there have been 9?
There is only one Riddler, and when does a riddle make Batman scared? Never, Bat Fans.
THE INSANITY AND THE INSANE RIDDLER
tcchelsey15 May 2022
If you are a true BATMAN fan of fans, (and going back the very beginning) the big debate stands as to who made the best tv bad guy; the giggling Riddler (memorably played by master impersonator Frank Gorshen) or the qwack, qwacking Penguin (played by versatile Burgess Meredith). The jury is still out. "When the Rat's Away the Mice Will Play..." episode features the Riddler in all his eccentric glory planting a bomb in a statue carried by King Boris (played by debonair, but kooky Reginald Denny). This is a fun watch, particularly with Bruce Wayne (Adam West) meeting his Batman double (in disguise and sounding like a poor man's Jack Nicholson??) Listen closely.
Can you spot the goof? At the beginning, Batman and Robin are strapped to huge spinning wheels at the abandoned water building. It seems Robin has been replaced by a life size dummy? Guest star Marvin Miller plays the tv reporter who interviews King Boris. Miller became famous as the faithful assistant to THE MILLIONAIRE (tv series), who gave away a cool million bucks to everyday people.
He originally began his career as a movie bad guy, in such classic films as DEAD RECKONING (1947), opposite Humphrey Bogart. Also on radio in the 1940s as a mystery show narrator, and doing voice work on tv.
SEASON 1 EPISODE 12, remastered (and in beautiful color) dvd box set.
Can you spot the goof? At the beginning, Batman and Robin are strapped to huge spinning wheels at the abandoned water building. It seems Robin has been replaced by a life size dummy? Guest star Marvin Miller plays the tv reporter who interviews King Boris. Miller became famous as the faithful assistant to THE MILLIONAIRE (tv series), who gave away a cool million bucks to everyday people.
He originally began his career as a movie bad guy, in such classic films as DEAD RECKONING (1947), opposite Humphrey Bogart. Also on radio in the 1940s as a mystery show narrator, and doing voice work on tv.
SEASON 1 EPISODE 12, remastered (and in beautiful color) dvd box set.
BORING PLOT, SUSPENSIVE AND PREDICTABLE STORY
asalerno1028 June 2022
King Boris visits Gotham City for the celebration of the inauguration of a statue of liberty that he brings from his country. The Riddler kidnaps him in hopes of capturing the dynamic duo when he comes to his rescue. Once caught and placed in a deadly trap, the villain frees the king, unaware that the statue has been replaced by a copy containing a time bomb that will blow up the museum where it will be installed. Poor episode, quite dark and predictable.
When the Rat's Away the Mice Will Play
Prismark1026 April 2024
The Riddler is ecstatic. He believes he has done what the Joker, Penguin and Mr Freeze failed to do.
Eliminate Batman and Robin, but tomorrow never arrives. A lesson the Riddler will learn.
Batman escaped the death trap with his utility belt.
Now the Riddler has mocked up one of the River Rat's to disguise himself as Batman. Bruce Wayne is present when the fake Batman meets with Commissioner Gordon.
It is all part of a plan by the Riddler to make a ransom demand and ensure there is no police at the museum.
I thought it was neat that Commissioner Gordon was not fooled by the fake Batman as well.
The Riddler realising he was outriddled was fun.
Eliminate Batman and Robin, but tomorrow never arrives. A lesson the Riddler will learn.
Batman escaped the death trap with his utility belt.
Now the Riddler has mocked up one of the River Rat's to disguise himself as Batman. Bruce Wayne is present when the fake Batman meets with Commissioner Gordon.
It is all part of a plan by the Riddler to make a ransom demand and ensure there is no police at the museum.
I thought it was neat that Commissioner Gordon was not fooled by the fake Batman as well.
The Riddler realising he was outriddled was fun.
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