The great Cesar Romero was fun as the mischievous, cackling Joker, and a role he put a lot of creativity into. He was always asked to do his iconic laugh on talk shows, and it was so weird because he had no costume or makeup.
Reportedly, Romero did not want to shave off his trademark moustache, so the makeup people simply shellacked more white paint on his face, which actually made him more creepier, and textbook campy. Absolutely. Here, the Joker zeroes in on Gotham City's Woodrow Roosevelt High School, attempting to put a little greed and larceny into the hearts of teens by stocking school vending machines with wads of valuable silver dollars, stocks and bonds --for the taking. Go for it! Batman and Robin to the rescue, but the Joker is a fairly slick and its one wild ride.
This episode is fast, which is why the series eventually went to airing episodes twice a week. You often wonder, and after all these years, what put the iconic Joker over the top -- his makeup or his outrageous mugging, and a cackle very similar to the Wicked Witch in WIZARD OF OZ. Listen carefully.
Look for Linda Harrison as one of the cheerleaders. Her career was just starting at this time, having appeared in a bit in THE FAT SPY (1965). Within a few years she would become a star (as Nova) in PLANET OF THE APES (1968). Funny character actor Bryan O'Byrne plays the principal, popular in such comedy shows as BEWITCHED, GET SMART and MY FAVORITE MARTIAN. Recommended for all of us pizza addicts. SEASON 1 remastered dvd box set dvd.