"The Penguin's Nest" begins like most of those with Burgess Meredith, the wily bird seemingly gone straight, this time opening a high class restaurant catering to the rich and famous, who are required to write out their orders and sign them. When Penguin makes the mistake of trying to filch a bracelet from Aunt Harriet right in front of Chief O'Hara, Commissioner Gordon is ready to slap the cuffs on the mangy bird. Bruce Wayne's suggestion to consult Batman meets with disapproval from Penguin, who insists on being taken to prison, which sets off red flags galore. It doesn't take long for Batman to figure out The Penguin's scheme, considering all the signatures he has garnered from Gotham City's wealthiest patrons, with his reserved cell at the penitentiary right next to that of expert forger Ballpoint Baxter. When the Dynamic Duo finally accede and arrest the felonious fowl, he's dismayed to find himself incarcerated at a petty crooks facility, reduced to a 'bush league bird.' Kidnapping and threatening the life of Chief O'Hara is enough to get Batman racing to the scene, unaware of the bullet riddled reception that awaits. Grace Gaynor shows off her killer legs in a one piece hat check girl outfit, while the henchmen are in the capable hands of serial and Western veteran Lane Bradford, and marvelous ethnic comic Vito Scotti. David Lewis makes the fourth of his eight appearances as Warden Crichton, while the Batclimb cameo comes from Ted Cassidy, in his familiar guise as Lurch, butler of THE ADDAMS FAMILY, apparently playing the series theme on his harpsichord!
3 Reviews
The little touches make this worthwhile
tforbes-213 March 2012
Warning: Spoilers
"The Penguin's Nest," like so many episodes from Season 2 of Batman, suffers from its share of unneeded campiness. But it is one of the better efforts for the season, because of casting and the script of Lorenzo Semple Jr.
First, the casting: ABC had canceled "The Addams Family" earlier in 1966, but it did not forget this great show. Here, we have Lurch the Butler, played by Ted Cassidy, make a Bat climb cameo; he is playing that show's theme on the harpsichord. And we also have frequent "Addams Family" guest star Vito Scotti as a henchman.
Now, to Lorenzo Semple Jr. He wrote several excellent scripts, including the pilot episode. Like so many of his previous episodes, he incorporates some unpredictable elements, and he also includes the use of firearms. Unlike some of the other screenwriters, his writing can take on a slightly darker edge, which he showed in Season 1.
While the show was on a downslide by this time, he still manages to give us something worthwhile. Even as this episode adheres to the usual formula, the details make the difference here. Certainly, this is one of the better efforts from Season Two.
First, the casting: ABC had canceled "The Addams Family" earlier in 1966, but it did not forget this great show. Here, we have Lurch the Butler, played by Ted Cassidy, make a Bat climb cameo; he is playing that show's theme on the harpsichord. And we also have frequent "Addams Family" guest star Vito Scotti as a henchman.
Now, to Lorenzo Semple Jr. He wrote several excellent scripts, including the pilot episode. Like so many of his previous episodes, he incorporates some unpredictable elements, and he also includes the use of firearms. Unlike some of the other screenwriters, his writing can take on a slightly darker edge, which he showed in Season 1.
While the show was on a downslide by this time, he still manages to give us something worthwhile. Even as this episode adheres to the usual formula, the details make the difference here. Certainly, this is one of the better efforts from Season Two.
COMMISSION GORDON GETS A PIE IN DA' FACE!
tcchelsey4 September 2022
10 Stars.
Murray Golden, who graduated to MANNIX and MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, directed this wildly camp episode. The ever ever crafty Penguin (Burgess Meredith) WANTS to go to prison to hook up with some nasties behind bars! Accordingly, he tries every trick in the book. The wild scheme is opening a restaurant and getting the signatures of wealthy diners so he can forge them. To tell y'all the truth, it ain't a bad idea.
Best of the best includes heaving a sloppy pie into Commissioner Gordon's mug! No doubt inspired by THE THREE STOOGES.
An episode to watch, with plenty of gags and surprises, namely Lurch(!) Ted Cassidy, looking out a window as Batman and Robin scale the side of the building. "You can go back to your harpsichord!" Batman hello's back.
Veteran Vito Scotti is insane as the nasty chef, cooking up all sorts of spiked treats to aid the Penguin. Of honorable mention is David Lewis, returning as the honorable mayor and popular character actress Leona Richards as Mrs. Swank? Leona played many high society ladies, sort of in the tradition of Natalie Schaefer (Mrs. Howell).
You have to admit, the Penguin is smooth and fast when it comes to lifting Aunt Harriet's bracelet.
Gone in two seconds! Funny, awk-weird scene.
You can tell everybody was having a good ole time putting this together, and Lurch almost smiles? Although filmed at 20th Century Fox Studios, some long shots (street scenes) were actually shot at Warner Brothers. If you ever take the WB tour, the guides will give you lots of interesting details.
SEASON 2 Episode 27 remastered color dvd box set.
Murray Golden, who graduated to MANNIX and MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, directed this wildly camp episode. The ever ever crafty Penguin (Burgess Meredith) WANTS to go to prison to hook up with some nasties behind bars! Accordingly, he tries every trick in the book. The wild scheme is opening a restaurant and getting the signatures of wealthy diners so he can forge them. To tell y'all the truth, it ain't a bad idea.
Best of the best includes heaving a sloppy pie into Commissioner Gordon's mug! No doubt inspired by THE THREE STOOGES.
An episode to watch, with plenty of gags and surprises, namely Lurch(!) Ted Cassidy, looking out a window as Batman and Robin scale the side of the building. "You can go back to your harpsichord!" Batman hello's back.
Veteran Vito Scotti is insane as the nasty chef, cooking up all sorts of spiked treats to aid the Penguin. Of honorable mention is David Lewis, returning as the honorable mayor and popular character actress Leona Richards as Mrs. Swank? Leona played many high society ladies, sort of in the tradition of Natalie Schaefer (Mrs. Howell).
You have to admit, the Penguin is smooth and fast when it comes to lifting Aunt Harriet's bracelet.
Gone in two seconds! Funny, awk-weird scene.
You can tell everybody was having a good ole time putting this together, and Lurch almost smiles? Although filmed at 20th Century Fox Studios, some long shots (street scenes) were actually shot at Warner Brothers. If you ever take the WB tour, the guides will give you lots of interesting details.
SEASON 2 Episode 27 remastered color dvd box set.
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