Batman, Episode 5 - The Joker is Wild (1966)

Batman, Episode 5 - The Joker is Wild (1966)

50 years ago today...
"The Joker is Wild," the fifth episode of the Batman TV series, premiered on January 26th, 1966.  This episode was the debut of Cesar Romero as "The Joker."  Romero's performance as the Joker seems to be heavily influenced by Frank Gorshin's manic, giggling take on The Riddler, but dialed down a notch or two. This Joker is laughing all the time, but seems more creepy and murderous than happy.  This episode features some nice props and set pieces, including a giant spring that The Joker uses to launch himself out of the prison yard with, a museum full of busts of comedians, and The Joker's secret hideout inside of an abandoned amusement park.

Batman Examines a Photo of the Crime Scene

Bat-Facts for The Joker is Wild:

Special Guest Villain: Cesar Romero as "The Joker"

Featured Bat-Gadget: Batman's Utility Belt

Robin's Catchphrase: "Holy macaroni!"

Weirdest Sign or Label: "To The Hall of Fabulous Jewels"

Onomatopoeias: "Crraack!  Ooooff!  Thwapp!"

Comic Book Origins:  Based on the 1952 story "The Joker's Utility Belt" from Batman #73, written by David Vern and drawn by Dick Sprang.

Cliffhanger Text:  "Could this mean curtains??  Will the identities of our Dynamic Duo be revealed to the whole world??  Is this the end of their career as crimefighters??  Can they avert disaster??  Answers... tomorrow night!  Same time, same channel!"

Crraack!  Ooooff!  Thwapp!

The Joker Invades The TV Opera Concert

More screencaps after the break...

"Could this mean curtains??  Will the identities of our Dynamic Duo be revealed to the whole world??  Is this the end of their career as crimefighters??  Can they avert disaster??  Answers... tomorrow night!  Same time, same channel!"

Prison Softball

"How many times do I have to tell you?!? I'm the pitcher, you're the catcher!"

"Ahh, there's nothing like a lazy Sunday watching The Joker play softball!"

Boi-oi-oi-oi-oing!

Dick Tickles the Ivories

The Batcave!

Gotham City 14 Miles

Crimefighters in Thought

Self Portrait of a Serial Killer

Teenage Girls Go Ape For The Boy Wonder!

The Dynamic Duo Arrive at the Museum

The Resemblance to Cesar Romero is Uncanny?

Batman No Likey

The Joker

Oliver Hardy

To The Hall of Fabulous Jewels

The Dark Knight

Laughing Madman

Trick or Treat

"Who Wants Punches?"

Caught in the Act!

The Joker Broods in His Amusement Park Lair

The Joker's Utility Belt

Robin Uses the Hyper-Spectrographic Analyzer to Examine a Clown Doll's Genitals

Seriously, Adam West Looks Kind of Bad Ass In This Pic.

Opera Clown