Hi Diddle Riddle
| "Hi Diddle Riddle" | |
|---|---|
| Batman episode | |
 |
|
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 1 |
| Directed by | Robert Butler |
| Written by | Lorenzo Semple Jr. |
| Production code | 6028-Pt. 1 |
| Original air date | January 12, 1966 (ABC) |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
|
Michael Fox, |
|
Michael Fox,
Jack Barry,
Ben Astar,
Damian O'Flynn,
William Dozier,
Jill St. John,
Richard Reeves (uncredited)
Special Guest Villain: Frank Gorshin as The Riddler
"Hi Diddle Riddle" was the first half-hour length episode of Batman to air, first broadcast on ABC on Wednesday January 12, 1966 and repeated on August 24, 1966 and April 5, 1967. It marked the first appearance of Frank Gorshin as The Riddler.
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.
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Wikipedia