DC COMICS: Batman '66 (Batman s3 ep 16 & 17 Catwoman Joker)

Batman '66 in the Media

THE FUNNY FELINE FELONIES:
The Joker, just released from prison, teams up with Catwoman. They follow the clues of an ancient riddle to retrieve a nightshirt and an antique crib, which together form a map to a hidden cache of gunpowder which they plan to use for their next crime. Batman and Robin, together with Batgirl, follow their trail, little knowing that they are about to walk right into an ambush.

THE JOKE'S ON CATWOMAN:
Following a tip from Batgirl, the Dynamic Trio meet up at the Grimalkin Novelty Company, hideout of the Joker and Catwoman. There, they overhear the arch-criminals' plot and secretly trail them to a stash of hidden gunpowder. A careless mistake spoils the villains' evil plan, however, and they are captured and brought before the Gotham City judge. But when the jury seems less than interested in justice, courtroom mayhem ensues.

MONITOR'S FILES: Bat-Trivia

 * Although this episode aired in early 1968, a portrait of then former Vice President Richard Nixon can be seen on Lucky Pierre's office desk. Less than a year later, Nixon was president. Ironically, Pierre Salinger, who played Lucky Pierre, was the press secretary to the man who defeated Nixon in the 1960 presidential election, John F. Kennedy.


 * Pierre Salinger's character name on this episode, Lucky Pierre, was his off-screen nickname. Former Press Secretary under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, he also served, briefly, as junior U.S. Senator from California (1964-65), at the sudden death of Clair Engle. He eventually became a well-known freelance TV journalist.


 * This would mark Eartha Kitt's final performance before becoming blacklisted in Hollywood for several years. Shortly after the episode aired, Kitt openly spoke her mind regarding several social issues during a White House Luncheon, insulting First Lady Lady Bird Johnson in the process.