THE ADVENTURES OF BATMAN - THE GREAT SCARECROW SCARE

 BAT BOOB TUBE TIME:  ORIGINALLY BROADCAST NOVEMBER 9, 1968.

  I managed to find this Halloween-set episode of the very first Batman cartoon on television:  THE ADVENTURES OF BATMAN.  Actually, it's not the episode, it's only the second half of the episode which starts with the Penguin and his Crime Computer.  And ACTUALLY actually, it's not even the second half of the episode because it's only about 8-10 minutes long!  But hey, it takes place at Halloween.  Gotham City is puttin' on it's Halloween Charity Costume Ball and Batman and Robin are party guests.  It's not clear to me whether they're there as Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson wearing Halloween costumes of Batman and Robin (that's a little on the nose, guys) or just as Batman and Robin as honoured guests.  I think it's the latter but I must admit I probably missed that detail.  Anywho, Batgirl's there as well and that's always a plus. 

We quickly see the Dynamic Duo's arch enemy the Scarecrow there as well but don't wet your bat underoos because it's only Commissioner Gordon in his Halloween costume.  They're going to be auctioning off a very valuable painting which frankly don't look like much ta me!  Unfortunately, backstage the Commish is assaulted by goons of the REAL Scarecrow who quickly plants himself at the lectern and makes off with the painting saying it's going to his favourite charity:  "ME!".  Ah, Scarecrow, you're such a card!  Batgirl confronts the Scarecrow and is quickly gassed and taken hostage.  Boy, dumb old girls, am I right?  The rest of the episode -- or should I call it a vignette -- features some bat bondage with Batgirl tied up and the Dynamic Duo having to rescue her.  I mean, she needs to be rescued by a couple men because . . . . well, she's just a dumb ole girl, am I right?  Sadly, no.  And even sadder still than the ridiculous portrayal of a helpless and hopeless Batgirl being nothing more than a damsel in distress is the kinda mediocre quality of this teeny-little Bat story.  The lost opportunities of a Batman cartoon set during Halloween make me shed bat tears and the cool and kickass Batgirl being reduced to a sad shadow of herself only makes it worse!  Combine that with the almost cutesy drawing of the Scarecrow in what must be his most unfrightening depiction ever and this is kinda one you don't need to watch.  The voice talents of the great Ted Knight (as narrator AND Commissioner Gordon AND the Scarecrow), Olan Soule (as Batman), Casey Kasem (as Robin) and Jane Webb (as Batgirl) have all the comfort and memories of watching this cartoon as a kid but the story itself is probably one of the worst in the cartoon series.   And that breaks my bat heart.  Let's see what ELSE Halloweenie there is to watch . . . .