Batman: Hi Diddle Riddle

"I don't know who he is behind that mask of his, but I do know when we need him... and we need him now!"

―Commissioner Gordon

"Hi Diddle Riddle"
Series BatmanSeason 1, Episode 1
Air date	January 12th, 1966
Writers	Lorenzo Semple, Jr.
Director	Robert Butler
Producers	William Dozier
Starring	Adam West; Burt Ward; Alan Napier; Neil Hamilton; Stafford Repp; Madge Blake
Episode guide
Previous —	Next "Smack in the Middle"

"Hi Diddle Riddle" is the premiere episode of the live-action superhero fantasy series Batman. The episode was directed by Robert Butler with a teleplay written by Lorenzo Semple, Jr. It was produced by William Dozier. The episode first aired on ABC on Wednesday, January 12th, 1966 at 7:30 pm. The series stars Adam West and Burt Ward as the caped crusaders Batman and Robin, who are also known by their civilian identities, Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson. The series also stars Alan Napier as Bruce's trusty butler, Alfred, Neil Hamilton as Commissioner Gordon, Stafford Repp as Chief O'Hara and Madge Blake as Aunt Harriet Cooper.

Synopsis

The series opens at the Republic of Moldavia exhibit, located at the Gotham City World's Fair, the Moldavian prime minister slices into the Moldavian friendship cake and unknowingly causes it to explode, releasing a concealed riddle. At the Gotham City Police Department, Police Commissioner James Gordon (Neil Hamilton) and Chief Miles O'Hara(Stafford Repp) suspect it to the Riddler (Gorshin). They turn to Inspector Bash and all the other senior policemen, but all bow their heads for a moment of silence, they turn to a red phone ("I don't know who he is behind that mask of his, but I do know when we need him and we need him now!"). After a glimpse into the lives of Bruce Wayne (Adam West) and Dick Grayson (Burt Ward) as well as the opening credits, the riddle leads them as Batman and Robin to the Peale art gallery where they catch the Riddler in the act of taking a cross from its proprietor, Gideon Peale, at gunpoint. They stop him with an explosive but learn to their horror that Riddler's gun was actually a lighter and the cross was his to begin with. Riddler whistles and some lawyers arrive bearing complaints in which the Riddler hands to Batman, who is slated to be sued for false arrest.

Batman and Robin must uncover the Riddler's plot before the case comes to trial or Batman will be forced to reveal his true identity in court, completely destroying his value as a crimefighter and stunting his career forever. Batman reveals that he knew the gun Riddler had was a fake, yet pretended to arrest Riddler so as to uncover Riddler's scheme.

Two hidden riddles in the legal documents lead Batman and Robin to the new "What A Way To Go-Go" discothèque. the Riddler informs his henchmen, the Mole Hill Mob, that Batman has had time to solve his clue. As the Riddler and the Mole Hill Mob make their way through an underground corridor to the discothèque, his plan is again put into action. Being a minor, Robin is too young to enter the disco (Burt Ward was 19 at the time of filming so it is implied that only 21-year-olds are allowed), so he waits outside in the Batmobile and monitors Batman on the Batscope while Batman dances the Batusi with the Riddler's assistant, Molly, Unfortunately, his orange juice had been spiked with a sleeping pill. Watching from outside, Robin attempts to help Batman, but falls victim to the Riddler's tranquilizerdart gun. Riddler tries to steal the Batmobile but accidentally triggers its antitheft rockets. He then tries to destroy the car but the flames are extinguished by its "Bat-o-stat Antifire Activator". Robin is carried away down a manhole by the Riddler and the Mole Hill Mob. Batman finds himself in no condition to pursue them and is forced to surrender his keys to the police at the most inopportune time.

Meanwhile, at the Riddler's hideout, Robin is strapped to a table as the Riddler, who is surrounded by Molly and the Mole Hill Mob, attempts to operate on the unconscious boy.

Cliffhanger text

WILL ROBIN ESCAPE?

CAN BATMAN FIND HIM IN TIME?

IS THIS THE GHASTLY END OF OUR DYNAMIC DUO?

ANSWERS...TOMORROW NIGHT! SAME TIME, SAME CHANNEL!

ONE HINT--THE WORST IS YET TO COME!

Cast

Principal Cast

Actor	Role
Adam West	Batman, Bruce Wayne
Burt Ward	Robin, Dick Grayson
Alan Napier	Alfred
Neil Hamilton	Commissioner Gordon
Stafford Repp	Chief O'Hara
Madge Blake	Aunt Harriet Cooper

Guest Stars

Actor	Role
Jill St. John	Molly
Frank Gorshin	The Riddler

Co-Stars

Actor	Role
Allen Jaffe	Harry
Michael Fox	Inspector Basch
Damian O'Flynn	Gideon Peale
Ben Astar	The Moldavian Prime Minister
Jack Barry	Newscaster

Uncredited Cast

Note: The following is taken from the full credits list for this entry on IMDB. As it is a website with user-submitted information, some of the data listed here, including character names may be inaccurate.

Actor	Role
Leon Alton	Fair attendee
George DeNormand	Police officer
William Dozier	Narrator/Maitre 'd
Catherine Ferrar	"Gleeps" dancer
Hans Moebus	Police officer
Richard Reeves	Disco doorman

Notes & Trivia

• "Hi Diddle Riddle" redirects to this page.

• This episode is included on disc one of the Batman: The Complete Television Series DVD boxset collection, as well as the Batman: The Complete Television Series Blu-ray collection.

Allusions

• The people visiting Wayne Manor are likely members of the Wayne Foundation, though they are not identified as such in this episode. The Wayne Foundation will be referenced several episodes from now.

• Bruce Wayne makes reference to the fact that his parents were murdered by "dastardly criminals", implying that more than one person was responsible for their deaths. In the comics, the murderer of Thomas and Martha Wayne is classically presented as a thug named Joe Chill.

Bloopers

• There are no bloopers available for this episode at this time. Be the first to add some! Just click on the edit tab under the section heading and start typing. A blooper is any revealing mistake that can be found within the episode that the production crew may have missed during editing. This can range from inconsistent lines of dialogue to visible production equipment in the shot to mis-spoken lines of dialogue, or... dare we say it? A wardrobe malfunction.

Quotes

• Commissioner Gordon: I don't know who he is behind that mask of his, but I do know when we need him... and we need him now!

....

• Harry: Watch them fish eggs, Molly. They're full of calories. You'll blow up like a balloon.
• Molly: Who cares? I'm hungry.
• Harry: I care. Get fat, you won't be able to get through the manholes anymore. Then what use you be?

....

• Bruce Wayne: Yes, commissioner?
• Commissioner Gordon: You'll never guess who's on the loose. Your old archenemy. The Riddler.
• Bruce Wayne: Good heavens!
• Dick Grayson: Him again!
• Commissioner Gordon: Will you come to headquarters right away?
• Bruce Wayne: It'll be a pleasure, Commissioner Gordon.

See also

Batman Batman media Batman images Batman franchise

Batman seasons Batman episodes Batman characters Batman miscellaneous

External Links

"Hi Diddle Riddle" at IMDB "Hi Diddle Riddle" at DCDP "Hi Diddle Riddle" at the TV IV

"Hi Diddle Riddle" at ShareTV.org "Hi Diddle Riddle" at TV.com guide "Hi Diddle Riddle" at TV Rage.com

Gallery

---