Credit regular series writer Charles Hoffman for coming up with this real camp classic episode, and of historical significance for completists. Hoffman was a veteran writer for Warner Brothers tv (77 SUNSET STRIP etc) and producer, so he definitely had the imagination. Van Williams and Bruce Lee make a cameo appearance as THE GREEN HORNET and KATO, from their own tv show --but this time Batman and Robin think they're a couple of crooks! That alone is one heck of a tease! The booty here is a priceless missing stamp collection, amassed by Pinky Pinkerton's late father. Pinky (who operates the Pink Chip Stamp factory) is played by lovely Diane McBain, in her second appearance on the show. Despite all her movie and tv roles, she's best remembered as one of Elvis Presley's gal pals in SPINOUT (1966).
The villain guest star here is Roger C. Carmel, who reminds me of Victor Buono (KING TUT), as he is so over the top and obviously having fun with his role. Victor Buono said in later years that playing King Tut on BATMAN was a blast because he could over act, yet make it all seem believable. Carmel plays Colonel Gumm, much in the same style, an eccentric stamp counterfeiter who dines on alphabet soup in his spare time! No doubt Carmel's unforgettable role as con-man Harry Mudd on STAR TREK lead to this characterization, stealing the show as the boisterous baddie. Alex Rocco, in an early role (of course forever remembered as gangster Moe Green in THE GODFATHER), plays a goon as does veteran actor Seymour Cassel, who has an interesting name called "Cancelled"! The question remains as to why THE GREEN HORNET did not last as long as BATMAN, and it just could be that the latter series was such a phenom the producers stuck with it and didn't look back. However, watching Williams as the Hornet and Lee as Kato is always a treat, especially for all of us long time cult fans. Watch for the hilarious finale as the Dynamic duo are literally glued to an enormous stamp pad by the Colonel --about to be pasted on a wall! Now that's original! SEASON 2 EPISODE 51 dvd box set in pink colorization!
The villain guest star here is Roger C. Carmel, who reminds me of Victor Buono (KING TUT), as he is so over the top and obviously having fun with his role. Victor Buono said in later years that playing King Tut on BATMAN was a blast because he could over act, yet make it all seem believable. Carmel plays Colonel Gumm, much in the same style, an eccentric stamp counterfeiter who dines on alphabet soup in his spare time! No doubt Carmel's unforgettable role as con-man Harry Mudd on STAR TREK lead to this characterization, stealing the show as the boisterous baddie. Alex Rocco, in an early role (of course forever remembered as gangster Moe Green in THE GODFATHER), plays a goon as does veteran actor Seymour Cassel, who has an interesting name called "Cancelled"! The question remains as to why THE GREEN HORNET did not last as long as BATMAN, and it just could be that the latter series was such a phenom the producers stuck with it and didn't look back. However, watching Williams as the Hornet and Lee as Kato is always a treat, especially for all of us long time cult fans. Watch for the hilarious finale as the Dynamic duo are literally glued to an enormous stamp pad by the Colonel --about to be pasted on a wall! Now that's original! SEASON 2 EPISODE 51 dvd box set in pink colorization!