While they are resting in a beach house, Bruce and Dick are kidnapped by Louie the lilac, both are taken to his lair where the villain intends to force them to remove the glands of some animals that he has stolen from the zoo. Their intention is to use them in the elaboration of perfumery elements to take over that market. Only Batgirl is free to rescue them. The curious thing about this story is that Batman and Robin do not appear on the scene until the last minute but despite this the episode is very entertaining, some scenes from episodes from previous seasons are projected, a plumber almost discovers the secret passageway in the apartment by Barbara Gordon and herself visiting the Mansion Wayne almost discovers the double identity of the heroes when entering the room where the batphone and the entrance to the batcave are located.
5 Reviews
The Previous "Louie" Show Was Better, But This Is Good
StuOz5 August 2018
Milton Berle (Louie The Lilac) returns.
Another reviewer has described the Louie The Lilac character as "exceptionally weak"??? Everybody has a right to a view but I struggle to understand how anyone could think this?? And I might add, I was a child of the 1970s, not the 1960s, so if Berle did not take on this role I probably would not even know who Milton Berle is right now!
Adam West and Burt Ward spend the bulk of the episode playing Bruce and Dick, meaning that Barbara Gordon (aka Batgirl) is the one who is out and about getting involved in things. This situation is okay to have now and again but I would not like it to happen too often.
The previous "Louie" episode was better than this as it had great location filming and amusing flower children all over the place, but this episode is well worth a watch.
Another reviewer has described the Louie The Lilac character as "exceptionally weak"??? Everybody has a right to a view but I struggle to understand how anyone could think this?? And I might add, I was a child of the 1970s, not the 1960s, so if Berle did not take on this role I probably would not even know who Milton Berle is right now!
Adam West and Burt Ward spend the bulk of the episode playing Bruce and Dick, meaning that Barbara Gordon (aka Batgirl) is the one who is out and about getting involved in things. This situation is okay to have now and again but I would not like it to happen too often.
The previous "Louie" episode was better than this as it had great location filming and amusing flower children all over the place, but this episode is well worth a watch.
BATMAN AND ROBIN'S DISAPPEARING TRICK.
tcchelsey6 September 2024
Series writer Charles Hoffman pulled a little inventive twist in this story, having Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson kidnapped, thus complicating Batman and Robin's efforts. The episode revolves more around them, being held hostage by eccentric Louie the Lilac, played by comedian Milton Berle. It was just a matter of time Berle appeared on the show anyway, guest star on many tv shows at the time, both comedy and dramas. He appeared five times on the series.
Berle, looking like a 1930s-type gangsta', wants to corner the perfume market, making an interesting villain, but the real stars of the episode are Batgirl and Alfred!
Batgirl attempts to rescue the Dynamic Duo, all the while Alfred works his tech magic and amazingly has the Batmobile pilot itself. This was, perhaps, one of the best gags of the later series episodes, and applause to Charles Hoffman for coming up with the cool idea.
I agree with the last reviewer 100 percent; the "close call" angle is always around, case in point Batgirl touching things in the mansion that SHOULD NOT be touched, nearly discovering who Bruce Wayne is. Obviously borrowed from the old SUPERMAN tv series where either Jimmy or Lois -- at least once per season -- almost found out who Clark Kent really was. Over the top stuff, because you know Batman and Robin's identities will never be revealed (totally off limits), but seemed to be required writing and we just rolled with it. The plus was the "accidental" factor -- the discovery of secret passages, the Bat phone etc., played for short term suspense.
Still a very good episode, and it runs fast, thanks to director Sam Strangis. Sam was better known as a producer, foremost the BRADY BUNCH. The BIFF, POWWW fight scenes are way cool at the end, and finally we get to see the Dyamic Duo in action and in super charged color.
Some familiar faces pop up, notably veteran character actor Percy Helton as Gus, and movie star Barbara Rush (unbilled) as Nora Clavicle, a replacement of sorts for Eartha Kitt. You have to admit, Rush has fun with her role.
SEASON 3 EPISODE 18 remastered dvd box set. 5 dvds. Classic orange box cover released 2015. Always thanks to METV for bringing back this super series, and the color is spectacular. Perhaps the best remastered tv series, next to Superman.
Berle, looking like a 1930s-type gangsta', wants to corner the perfume market, making an interesting villain, but the real stars of the episode are Batgirl and Alfred!
Batgirl attempts to rescue the Dynamic Duo, all the while Alfred works his tech magic and amazingly has the Batmobile pilot itself. This was, perhaps, one of the best gags of the later series episodes, and applause to Charles Hoffman for coming up with the cool idea.
I agree with the last reviewer 100 percent; the "close call" angle is always around, case in point Batgirl touching things in the mansion that SHOULD NOT be touched, nearly discovering who Bruce Wayne is. Obviously borrowed from the old SUPERMAN tv series where either Jimmy or Lois -- at least once per season -- almost found out who Clark Kent really was. Over the top stuff, because you know Batman and Robin's identities will never be revealed (totally off limits), but seemed to be required writing and we just rolled with it. The plus was the "accidental" factor -- the discovery of secret passages, the Bat phone etc., played for short term suspense.
Still a very good episode, and it runs fast, thanks to director Sam Strangis. Sam was better known as a producer, foremost the BRADY BUNCH. The BIFF, POWWW fight scenes are way cool at the end, and finally we get to see the Dyamic Duo in action and in super charged color.
Some familiar faces pop up, notably veteran character actor Percy Helton as Gus, and movie star Barbara Rush (unbilled) as Nora Clavicle, a replacement of sorts for Eartha Kitt. You have to admit, Rush has fun with her role.
SEASON 3 EPISODE 18 remastered dvd box set. 5 dvds. Classic orange box cover released 2015. Always thanks to METV for bringing back this super series, and the color is spectacular. Perhaps the best remastered tv series, next to Superman.
Berle's back but why bother
kevinolzak2 May 2016
"Louie's Lethal Lilac Time" finds Milton Berle's purple clad flower fink intent on cornering the lilac perfume market, kidnapping Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson to demand a million dollar ransom, so it's up to Batgirl to try to save the day if she weren't so easily captured by Louie's trick boutonnière. Trusty Alfred manages to locate his employer and gets the Batmobile to drive itself to their hideaway, where Commissioner Gordon naturally assumes Batman to be on the case. With Uncle Miltie putting in another sleepwalking performance lacking any sense of fun, it's a wonder they did a second episode for this exceptionally weak villain. Fortunately, there wouldn't be any further adventures of this lackluster 'Lavender Hill Mob!'
Views like a sales pitch
mjlombardini18 September 2022
Though 18 episodes into the season probably isn't the best time to do it; this episode almost seems like a sales pitch, selling the show again to the public; combined with a "character episode", to give Barbara's character more background/introduction.
There is that strange scene in the commissioner's office, where they watch a highlight reel of prior seasons; reminding the audience of how much fun they've all had.
They also give a lot more time to sets which normally only get seconds of screen space; such as Bruce's study and Barbara's home.
An unusual episode though, out of step with their usual pace.
There is that strange scene in the commissioner's office, where they watch a highlight reel of prior seasons; reminding the audience of how much fun they've all had.
They also give a lot more time to sets which normally only get seconds of screen space; such as Bruce's study and Barbara's home.
An unusual episode though, out of step with their usual pace.
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