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Batfink
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| Batfink | |
|---|---|
 Batfink being chauffeured by his sidekick Karate. | |
| Created by | Hal Seeger |
| Written by | Dennis Marks Heywood Kling |
| Starring | Frank Buxton Len Maxwell[1] |
| Narrated by | Len Maxwell |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of episodes | 100 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 26 min. (approx. 6 min. per short) |
| Production companies | Hal Seeger Productions Golden West Broadcasters |
| Original release | |
| Network | KTLA and syndication |
| Release | April 21, 1966 – October 4, 1967 |
Batfink is an American animated television series, consisting of five-minute shorts, that first aired in April 1966.[a] The 100-episode series was quickly created by Hal Seeger, starting in 1966, to send up the popular Batman and Green Hornet television series, which had premiered the same year.[4][5]
It depicts an anthropomorphic bat cyborg who acts as superhero and a martial artist who is acting as his sidekick. The main villain is a mad scientist who seeks world domination.
Plot
[edit]Batfink is a bat superhero with metal wings. With the help of his sidekick, Karate, he fights crime in his city, usually against his recurring villain, Hugo A-Go-Go, but also against others.
Many episodes place Batfink in a dangerous cliffhanger-type situation; typically, this is effected by trapping him in some sort of bondage, placing him in a position that renders his wings useless. At the moment the potentially fatal shot is fired, the action freezes, and the narrator asks dramatically if Batfink will survive. The action then continues, with Batfink escaping via a convenient but previously unseen deus ex machina or through the use of his superpowers.
Characters
[edit]Batfink
[edit]Batfink (voiced by Frank Buxton) is a superpowered anthropomorphic grey cyborg bat in a yellow costume with a big red "B" on the chest and red gauntlets and boots.[6] He uses his supersonic sonar radar and black metallic wings to fight crime. When not fighting crime, Batfink lives in a split-level cave, though he also has a direct video link to the Chief's office in case his help is needed.
Batfink's "supersonic sonar radar" is a super-powered version of a bat's echolocation, used to locate prey. Batfink's power takes the form of the letters of the word "BEEP" either once or twice emanating from his mouth. The radar is anthropomorphic and sentient and can fly wherever Batfink needs them to go – accompanied by a distinctive beeping noise. His catchphrase during that time is "My supersonic sonar radar will help me!" Whenever Batfink said those words, he would say it through the open sun roof of the Battilac car, while it was not in motion. The radar can see, feel fear, evade capture and report back to Batfink on what it has seen. In one episode, the radar is ambushed and beaten up. The radar also gets confused, misdirected, and lost, leaving Batfink to rely on other means to spy upon the episode's villain. Once, when the radar is sent to investigate Queenie Bee and her swarm of villainous bees, it returns with the "EEP" swollen with bee stings. When Karate asks Batfink "How come they just stung the E-E-P?", he replies "Because a bee would never harm another bee. But a bee will tell on another bee.". The literal spelled-out appearance of an onomatopœia was a running gag not limited to the supersonic sonar radar; in one episode, Hugo A-Go-Go invented a tickling stick that tickles its adversaries into submission, which sent out the words "Kitchy Koo" to do the deed on Batfink (the episode ended with Batfink slicing the K's off to create the far more irritating, but less distracting, "Itchy Oo").
Batfink's main defense are his metallic wings, which he is able to fold around himself as a protective shield against most attacks, thereby spawning the most famous catchphrase of the show: "Your bullets cannot harm me – my wings are like a shield of steel!" He claims in some episodes that his wings are stainless steel, but in other episodes he explicitly states that they are not – since he always carries a can of spot remover to keep them polished. Batfink can also use his wings as offensive weapons. In one episode, he uses one of them as a sword during a duel. His wings can also help him fly at incredible speeds. They are often used to help him escape certain death or cut through bonds when he has been captured (he can break out of regular ropes, but not rubber ones). In the episode "Ebenezer the Freezer", Batfink has automatic retrorockets built into his wings, but not in any other episode. Sometimes, his wings hinder him. When in water, he will sink because of the weight of his metal wings. Powerful magnets are also a problem for him. Plutonium, for reasons unexplained (but possibly relating to his birth in a plutonium mine), also renders the wings useless. Batfink's life and wings are explained in the final episode, "Batfink: This Is Your Life", which depicts his boyhood and how his real wings were replaced.
Batfink rides in a customized pink car resembling a Volkswagen Beetle with scalloped rear fins and bat-winged red "B" emblems on the doors and hood. Called the "Battillac" (rhymes with "Cadillac"), the car is outfitted with a sun roof and many defensive devices, and is resistant to collision damage and energy weapons. Batfink often says something like "It's a good thing the Battillac is equipped with a thermonuclear plutonium-insulated blast shield!" and Karate replies, "It's also good it was a small bomb". As soon as a crime is acknowledged, Batfink says "Karate, the Battillac!"
In the last episode of the series, titled "Batfink: This Is Your Life", it is revealed that Batfink was born in an abandoned plutonium mine, which is where he obtained his powers, and that he lost his natural wings as a child while saving his mother's life after escaped convicts blew up their mountain-top cave (plutonium in real life is too scarce in the Earth's crust to be mined, it must be synthesized, usually from uranium). This incident is what motivated him to become a crime-fighter.
Karate
[edit]Kara "Karate" Te (voiced by Len Maxwell) is a gi-clad martial arts expert and Batfink's oafish sidekick who drives the Battillac. He is somewhat oversized and not very bright, but is strong enough to help Batfink out of any situation. He carries a wide variety of objects and gadgets in his "utility sleeve" (a parody of Batman's utility belt), but he often has trouble finding what he needs in it. Karate tends to succeed by dumb luck rather than by skill or ingenuity, and often Karate's involvement will make a bad situation worse. Karate is usually ordered to check downstairs while Batfink checks the upper floor. At the end of each episode, Karate will make a corny pun that is sometimes physical on the part of his stupidity. Karate's father was the blacksmith who made Batfink's metallic wings.
Karate is a direct send-up of Kato, the Green Hornet's companion, but his hulking size is inspired by the Bond villain Oddjob.[citation needed] Also, like in The Green Hornet, when both characters are in the car, Karate is the driver, while Batfink rides in the back seat. In early episodes, he speaks in a stereotypical Asian accent; in later episodes, he is voiced in a clipped, nasal speech pattern, inspired by Don Adams, whose Get Smart character, Maxwell Smart, was popular at the time. On occasion, Karate even utters the Maxwell Smart-inspired catchphrase, "Sorry about that, Batfink".
The Chief
[edit]The Chief of Police (voiced by Len Maxwell) is Batfink's contact on the local police force and informs Batfink of all the latest crimes via a direct video link to Batfink's Split-Level Cave. Batfink answers "The hotline — Batfink here". The Chief also has a wife and children, who never appear onscreen, but are mentioned by Karate as having seen them in the episode "Tough MacDuff."
The Mayor
[edit]The Mayor is the unnamed mayor of the city that Batfink protects.
The Narrator
[edit]The Narrator (voiced by Len Maxwell) narrates each episode while explaining certain information and doing the cliffhanger narration.
Hugo A-Go-Go
[edit]General Professor Hugo "Jerkules" A-Go-Go (voiced by Frank Buxton) is the wild-haired smocked main villain of the series.[7] He speaks English with a German accent. He is referred to as the world's maddest scientist and spends his time in his secret laboratory creating weird and wacky inventions (including a robot bride, complete with robot mother-in-law) to defeat Batfink and dominate the world. He always manages to escape jail to antagonize the hero in a later episode. Hugo A-Go-Go often breaks the fourth wall and has conversations with the narrator.
Other villains
[edit]Other villains that are Batfink's enemies are:
- Ebeneezer the Freezer is a villain who collaborated with Hugo A-Go-Go in a plot to freeze the city.
- Mr. Boomer is the owner of Boomer Glass Works who has been using the sonic booms caused by his jets to improve his business.
- Big Ears Ernie is a villain with sensitive hearing.
- Manhole Manny is a villain who operates in the sewers.
- Mr. M. Flick is a mad movie maker.
- Skinny Minnie is the world's thinnest thief.
- Bony Mahoney, Diet Wyatt and Scrawny Arnie the Narrow Knaves are the henchmen of Skinny Minnie.
- Fatman is a criminal with an inflatable suit who steals fat items.
- Gluey Louie is a villain who uses glue in his capers.
- Brother Goose is a supervillain who always leaves taunting clues based on nursery rhymes.
- Myron the Magician is a criminal magician.
- Sporty Morty is a sports-themed villain that wields different sports equipment.
- The Ringading Brothers are criminal acrobats.
- Stupidman is a criminal who commits crimes that no sensible person would commit. He is also the brother-in-law of the Chief of Police.
- Professor Vibrato is a mad scientist that uses vibration technology.
- Greasy Gus is a villain who uses grease in his crimes.
- Number Zero is a villain whose real name is Plus A. Minus.
- Swami Salami is a criminal snake charmer.
- The Human Pretzel is a criminal contortionist.
- Professor Hopper is a criminal flea circus owner who uses his trained fleas to commit crimes.
- Roz the Schnozz is a criminal with a bloodhound-like nose.
- Lucky Chuck is a lucky criminal.
- Party Marty is a party-themed criminal who uses special party favors in his crimes.
- Professor Flippo is a mad scientist who invented a machine that turns things upside down.
- The Rotten Rainmaker is a villain with a weather-controlling machine.
- Gypsy James is a parking-meter thief and fortune teller who makes voodoo dolls of Batfink and Karate to try to seal their fate.[8]
- The Chameleon is an art thief who uses portable camouflage screens.
- Beanstalk Jack is a farmer who uses instant beanstalks in his crimes.
- Curly the Human Cannonball is a criminal human cannonball.
- Robber Hood is an archery-themed criminal.
- Sandman Sam is a criminal who uses "slumber sand" that puts anyone to sleep.
- The Great Escapo is an escape artist.
- Daniel Boom is a criminal who uses explosives in his crimes.
- Queenie Bee is a female supervillain with her army of bees. Batfink sends Queenie Bee to Sing Sing and her bees to "Sting Sting".
- Sabubu is a thief from Baghdad.
- The Mean Green Midget is a short criminal who grows fruits and vegetables to help in his crimes.
- Napoleon Blownapart is a criminal who uses hand grenades to blow up stuff.
- Magneto the Magnificent is a criminal who wields magnetic gauntlets.
- Buster the Ruster is a criminal who uses a spray gun that shoots "rust dust".
- Mike the Mimic is an impersonator.
- Cinderobber is a criminal cleaning lady.
- Mr. Bouncey is a former bouncer who uses a special spray to turn anything into rubber.
- Old King Cruel is a criminal who is the "king of cruelty".
- Victor the Predictor is a criminal who uses a prediction motif.
- Goldyunlocks is a female villain with an obsession of unlocking every lock she sees. Batfink finally defeats her by putting her in a cell with no lock.
- Phillip "Phil", Billiam "Bill" and Sylvester "Syl" the Three Baers are the henchmen of Goldyunlocks.
- Bowl Brummel is a criminal bowler.
- Harold Hamboné is an opera understudy.
- Adam Blankenstein is a green-skinned criminal whose gun shoots out "blanks" that give people amnesia.
- Whip Van Winkle is a criminal who uses whips in his crimes.
- Tough MacDuff is Batfink's oldest enemy. After being released from prison, he gathered Hugo A-Go-Go and other Batfink villains in a plot to get Batfink to leave town.
- Judy "Jujitsu" Jitsu is a martial artist, whose name is derived from jujutsu, and on whom Karate has a crush.
- Father Time Bomb is a criminal who uses time bombs in his crimes.
Episodes
[edit]| No. | Title | Story | Animation | Scenics | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Pink Pearl of Persia" | Heywood Kling | Bill Ackerman | Bob Owen | 21 April 1966 | |
|
Batfink says that he knows who has stolen a huge pearl from the museum, but he refuses to tell who did it. This leads everyone, including the thieves, to believe that he has turned crooked. The three crooks in this episode return in "Crime College". | ||||||
| 2 | "The Short Circuit Case" | Heywood Kling | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen | 21 April 1966 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go (in his first appearance) is using his short-circuit device to make trains and traffic signals go wild. | ||||||
| 3 | "Ebenezer the Freezer" | Heywood Kling | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen | 20 January 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go and Ebenezer the Freezer plan to freeze the entire city, using a missile loaded with freeze gas. | ||||||
| 4 | "The Sonic Boomer" | (No credit) | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen | 20 January 1967 | |
|
Mr. Boomer, the owner of Boomer Glass Works, is using a jet plane to create window-shattering sonic booms in order to increase business. | ||||||
| 5 | "Big Ears Ernie" | Heywood Kling | Bill Ackerman | Bob Owen | 20 January 1967 | |
|
Big Ears Ernie is a burglar whose super-sensitive hearing allows him to break into safes and avoid capture. The main battle takes place at a construction site. | ||||||
| 6 | "Batfink on the Rocks" | Dennis Marks | John Gentilella | Bob Owen | 20 January 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go has stolen all the water from Niagara Falls and is selling it for five cents a glass. | ||||||
| 7 | "Manhole Manny" | Heywood Kling | James Tyer | Bob Owen | 20 January 1967 | |
| 8 | "The Mad Movie Maker" | Dennis Marks | I. Klein | Bob Owen | 20 January 1967 | |
|
Mr. M. Flick, the Mad Movie Maker, uses a projected image of a meteor to scare everyone out of the city, leaving him free to loot it. | ||||||
| 9 | "Nuts of the Round Table" | (No credit) | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen | 20 January 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go is sending out robotic knights to commit robberies for him. | ||||||
| 10 | "Skinny Minnie" | Heywood Kling | Bill Ackerman | Bob Owen | 20 January 1967 | |
|
Skinny Minnie and her gang of rail-thin thugs use their ability to squeeze through tight spaces to commit robberies and hide from the police. | ||||||
| 11 | "Fatman Strikes Again" | Dennis Marks | Graham Place | Bob Owen | 20 January 1967 | |
|
Someone is stealing valuables from fat men's clubs, so Batfink dons an inflatable "fat suit" to find him. | ||||||
| 12 | "The Kitchy Koo Kaper" | Heywood Kling | James Tyer | Bob Owen | 20 January 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go uses his latest invention, a tickle stick, to render people helpless with laughter. | ||||||
| 13 | "The Dirty Sinker" | Dennis Marks | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen, John Zago | 20 January 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go is using a special submarine to cut through the hulls of ships so he can rob them and then sink them. | ||||||
| 14 | "Gluey Louie" | Heywood Kling | Bill Ackerman | Bob Owen | 3 March 1967 | |
|
Gluey Louie, who immobilizes people with puddles of glue, steals Benjamin Franklin's kite just as it is being donated to a university. | ||||||
| 15 | "Brother Goose" | Dennis Marks | Tom Golden, Arnie Levy | Bob Owen, Dave Ubinas | 20 January 1967 | |
|
Brother Goose (whose name is a takeoff of "Mother Goose") is a crook whose crimes and traps are patterned after nursery rhymes. This criminal returns in "Crimes in Rhymes". | ||||||
| 16 | "The Chocolate-Covered Diamond" | Dennis Marks | Graham Place | Bob Owen | 20 January 1967 | |
|
Two crooks have lost a stolen diamond in a candy factory, so now they are trying to find it by stealing chocolate bars all over town. | ||||||
| 17 | "Crime College" | Heywood Kling | John Gentilella | Bob Owen | 1 March 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go is teaching his students (the three crooks from "Pink Pearl of Persia") how to commit crimes and avoid capture with the help of a heavily armed school bus. | ||||||
| 18 | "Myron the Magician" | Heywood Kling | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen | 20 January 1967 | |
|
Myron the Magician, who uses magic tricks to commit crimes, steals a valuable painting from a museum and hides out in his specially-gimmicked house. | ||||||
| 19 | "Brain Washday" | Heywood Kling | I. Klein | Bob Owen | 6 February 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go steals a factory's payroll with the help of an instant brainwashing solution that turns people into his willing slaves. | ||||||
| 20 | "MPFTBRM" | Dennis Marks | Martin Taras | Bob Owen | 31 January 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go, using his newly invented MPFTBRM (Millisecond Photo Flash Temporary Blinding Ray Monocle), has stolen a set of secret plans from a diplomatic courier. | ||||||
| 21 | "Gloves on the Go-Go" | Dennis Marks | Maury Reden | Bob Owen | 3 March 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go has invented a pair of flying gloves that steal for him. Because they look like Batfink's gloves, Batfink is contacted by the Chief of Police on that and will be coming after him to arrest his gloves. Now Batfink must thwart Hugo's plot and clear his gloves' name. | ||||||
| 22 | "Sporty Morty" | Heywood Kling | Bill Ackerman, I. Klein | Bob Owen | 13 March 1967 | |
|
Sporty Morty, who uses sporting equipment to steal things, wants to hunt Batfink and have his head for a trophy. | ||||||
| 23 | "Go Fly a Bat" | Dennis Marks | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen | 31 January 1967 | |
|
Hugo uses a cap that shoots lightning bolts to steal a gold idol; later, he flies the unconscious Batfink like a kite during a lightning storm. | ||||||
| 24 | "Ringading Brothers" | Dennis Marks | Bill Ackerman | Bob Owen | 1 March 1967 | |
|
The Ringading Brothers use acrobatic skills to steal valuable rings from people's homes. Their name is a takeoff of both "Ringling Brothers" and the Frank Sinatra song "Ring-A-Ding-Ding". | ||||||
| 25 | "Out Out Darn Spot" | Dennis Marks | Morey Reden, I. Klein | Bob Owen | 3 March 1967 | |
| 26 | "Goo-Goo A-Go-Go" | Heywood Kling | James Tyer | Bob Owen | 1 March 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go has built a grenade-throwing robotic baby to help him commit crimes. | ||||||
| 27 | "Crimes in Rhymes" | Dennis Marks | John Gentilella | Bob Owen | 7 April 1967 | |
|
Brother Goose is back and is committing more crimes based on nursery rhymes. | ||||||
| 28 | "Stupidman" | Heywood Kling | Graham Place, John Gentilella | Bob Owen | 30 March 1967 | |
| 29 | "A Living Doll" | Dennis Marks | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen | 31 January 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go has built a mechanical Batfink lookalike and Karate must determine who is who in order to save Batfink's life. | ||||||
| 30 | "Bat Patrol" | Heywood Kling | Martin Taras, Morey Reden | Bob Owen | 13 March 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go's mechanical soldiers have declared war on law and order. The title is a takeoff of The Rat Patrol. | ||||||
| 31 | "Dig That Crazy Mountain" | Dennis Marks | Graham Place | Bob Owen | 20 January 1967 | |
|
Professor Vibrato has broken out of jail using his ultrasonic cello and Batfink pursues him to his mountaintop hideout. | ||||||
| 32 | "Spin the Batfink" | Dennis Marks | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen | 6 February 1967 | |
|
A junk dealer is using a machine to create artificial tornadoes, which steal money and junk for him. This episode contains the first half of a hidden political message; the second half is in "Bride and Doom". | ||||||
| 33 | "Greasy Gus" | Heywood Kling | James Tyer | Bob Owen | 23 March 1967 | |
|
Greasy Gus, who uses puddles of grease to trip people up, has stolen the police payroll; the police will not work without pay, so it is up to Batfink to bring Gus in. | ||||||
| 34 | "The Mark of Zero" | Dennis Marks | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen | 13 March 1967 | |
|
Plus A. Minus, alias Zero (a parody of Zorro), has stolen an original manuscript for The Three Musketeers. | ||||||
| 35 | "Swami Salami" | Heywood Kling | Graham Place | Bob Owen | 18 April 1967 | |
|
Snake charmer Swami Salami uses the Indian rope trick to rob penthouses. | ||||||
| 36 | "The Human Pretzel" | Dennis Marks | Bill Ackerman | Bob Owen, Bill Focht | 24 April 1967 | |
|
A contortionist called the Human Pretzel has stolen a box of diamonds and is hiding out at a carnival. | ||||||
| 37 | "Jumping Jewelry" | Heywood Kling | John Gentilella | Bob Owen | 30 March 1967 | |
|
Professor Hopper, owner of a flea circus, uses his trained fleas to steal jewelry. | ||||||
| 38 | "Roz the Schnozz" | Heywood Kling | James Tyer | Bob Owen | 24 April 1967 | |
|
Roz the Schnozz uses her bloodhound-like nose to sniff out valuables and to avoid the police. | ||||||
| 39 | "Karate's Case" | Dennis Marks | Bill Ackerman, I. Klein | Bob Owen, Bill Focht | 7 April 1967 | |
|
Someone impersonating Karate has stolen the Gold Hand of Kara-Tay from a museum; Karate, determined to clear his name, insists on taking charge of this case. | ||||||
| 40 | "The Wishbone Boner" | Heywood Kling | Bill Ackerman, Frank Endres | Bob Owens | 1 May 1967 | |
|
Lucky Chuck, the luckiest crook in town, has stolen a dinosaur wishbone. | ||||||
| 41 | "Hugo for Mayor" | Dennis Marks | Martin Taras, Morey Reden | Bob Owen | 18 April 1967 | |
|
Marked money from a bank robbery is planted on the Chief and the Mayor as part of Hugo A-Go-Go's plan to get himself elected mayor. | ||||||
| 42 | "The Indian Taker" | Heywood Kling | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen, John Zago | 23 March 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go is using an Indian (i.e., Native American) motif for his latest crime spree "because I don't look good as a cowboy!" The title is a parody of the term "Indian giver". | ||||||
| 43 | "The Devilish Device" | Dennis Marks | Martin Taras, Morey Reden | Bob Owen | 29 May 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go's latest invention makes people behave like animals and he uses it to turn Batfink into a chicken. | ||||||
| 44 | "Goldstinger" | Dennis Marks | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen | 30 March 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go is using a "goldstinger" – a wand that instantly encases people and things in gold plate – to turn the heroes into immobile statues. The title of this cartoon is a parody of Goldfinger. | ||||||
| 45 | "The Shady Shadow" | Heywood Kling | Martin Taras, Frank Endres | Bob Owen | 18 April 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go's machine has brought his shadow to life so that it can commit crimes and fight Batfink for him. | ||||||
| 46 | "Party Marty" | Heywood Kling | Morey Reden | Bill Focht | 1 March 1967 | |
|
Party Marty, who uses party favors to commit crimes, steals Cleopatra's love letters from a library. A reader in the library keeps shushing people throughout this cartoon. | ||||||
| 47 | "The Beep Bopper" | Dennis Marks | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen | 7 April 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go's newest machine has brainwashed Batfink's BEEP into leading the heroes into one trap after another. | ||||||
| 48 | "The Super Trap" | Dennis Marks | Martin Taras, John Gentilella | Bob Owen | 12 May 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go's electronic jamming device is turning all the machines in the Split-Level Cave against the heroes, including a trap of Batfink's devising that even Batfink cannot escape from. Note: This is the only episode in which Batfink and Karate do not leave the Bat Cave. | ||||||
| 49 | "Bride and Doom" | Heywood Kling | James Tyer | Bob Owen | 1 May 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go has invented a mechanical bride to help him commit crimes; the climax of the action takes place at Niagara Falls. This episode contains the second half of a hidden political message; the first half is in "Spin the Batfink". | ||||||
| 50 | "Topsy Turvy" | Dennis Marks | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen | 24 April 1967 | |
|
Professor Flippo's invention turns people and things upside-down; he uses it as part of a death trap in which Batfink is trapped. | ||||||
| 51 | "The Rotten Rainmaker" | Dennis Marks | Martin Taras, Peter Dakis | Bob Owen | 8 June 1967 | |
|
The Rotten Rainmaker's weather-controlling device is raining out a planned rocket launch and he demands $1 million to make it stop. | ||||||
| 52 | "Gypsy James" | Heywood Kling | Bill Ackerman, Frank Endres | Bill Focht | 29 May 1967 | |
|
Gypsy James is a crooked fortune teller who steals parking meters; he uses a voodoo doll to battle Batfink. His name is a parody of "Jesse James". | ||||||
| 53 | "The Kooky Chameleon" | Dennis Marks | Graham Place | Bob Owen | 19 May 1967 | |
|
The Chameleon (no relation to the Marvel Comics supervillain) is an art thief from France who uses portable camouflage screens to hide from his pursuers. | ||||||
| 54 | "Beanstalk Jack" | Heywood Kling | Bill Ackerman | Bob Owen | 12 May 1967 | |
|
Beanstalk Jack (a parody of "Jack and the Beanstalk") is a farmer who uses instant giant beanstalks to commit crimes; he traps the heroes in a Rube Goldberg-style death trap involving a beanstalk. | ||||||
| 55 | "The Time Stopper" | Dennis Marks | Martin Taras, Jim Logan | Bob Owen | 19 May 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go's latest device can stop time itself for everyone but him and he uses it to rob a bank. | ||||||
| 56 | "The Kangarobot" | Heywood Kling | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen, Bill Focht | 1 May 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go has built a robotic kangaroo that can leap tall buildings, provide Hugo with a quick getaway and fight. | ||||||
| 57 | "Presto-Chango-Hugo" | Dennis Marks | Martin Taras, John Gentilella | Bob Owen | 8 June 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go is spraying the entire city with Presto-Chango, a chemical that causes people to switch personalities; as a result of this, Batfink and Karate become each other. | ||||||
| 58 | "Curly the Cannonball" | Dennis Marks | Bill Ackerman | Bob Owen | 30 June 1967 | |
|
Curly the Human Cannonball is using his routine to break into jewelry stores so he can rob them. | ||||||
| 59 | "Robber Hood" | Heywood Kling | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen | 12 May 1967 | |
|
Robber Hood (a parody of Robin Hood) uses his archery skills to rob money from banks so he can give it to himself. | ||||||
| 60 | "Slow Down! Speed Up!" | Dennis Marks | Martin Taras, James Tyer | Bob Owen | 1 June 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go's latest device can change the speed of whomever it is aimed at; he is using it to slow down his enemies and speed himself up. | ||||||
| 61 | "Sandman Sam" | Heywood Kling | Martin Taras, Frank Endres | Bob Owen | 21 June 1967 | |
|
Sandman Sam is committing crimes with the help of his "slumber sand", which can put anyone to sleep; it even turns Batfink's BEEP into ZZZZ. | ||||||
| 62 | "Yo-Yo A-Go-Go" | Heywood Kling | Martin Taras, John Gentilella | Bob Owen | 14 June 1967 | |
| 63 | "Hugo's Hoke" | Dennis Marks | Martin Taras, Jim Logan | Bill Focht | 1 June 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go has blanketed the city with "Hoke" – hate-inducing smoke – causing everyone to be distracted from Hugo's crimes by their own constant bickering; as a result of this, even Batfink and Karate are at each other's throats. | ||||||
| 64 | "Backwards Box" | Dennis Marks | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen | 1 June 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-G-'s latest device makes people and things go backwards; after Batfink escapes from one of Hugo's traps, Hugo uses the box to make him go back into it. | ||||||
| 65 | "The Great Escapo" | Dennis Marks | Graham Place | Bob Owen | 14 June 1967 | |
|
The Great Escapo escapes from prison and seals Batfink inside four famous traps at the same time, challenging him to get out of them. | ||||||
| 66 | "Watch My Smoke" | Heywood Kling | Martin Taras, James Tyer | Bob Owen | 30 June 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go has an Aladdin-style lamp, which produces a thick black smoke that obeys Hugo's commands. | ||||||
| 67 | "Daniel Boom" | Heywood Kling | Dave Tendlar, Morey Reden | Bill Focht | 21 June 1967 | |
|
Daniel Boom (a parody of Daniel Boone) uses explosives to commit crimes and to trap the heroes. | ||||||
| 68 | "Queenie Bee" | Heywood Kling | Bill Ackerman | Bill Focht | 29 May 1967 | |
|
Queenie Bee's trained bees scare away a museum guard so that she can steal a valuable painting. | ||||||
| 69 | "The Thief from Baghdad" | Dennis Marks | Dave Tendlar, Robert Taylor | Bob Owen | 26 June 1967 | |
|
Sabubu, the Thief from Baghdad, steals a priceless gem from a museum and makes his getaway on a flying carpet; his hideout is a carpet store. | ||||||
| 70 | "The Mean Green Midget" | Dennis Marks | Tom Golden, Arnie Levy | Bill Focht | 12 July 1967 | |
|
The Mean Green Midget (a parody of the Jolly Green Giant) creates special plants and vegetables to help him commit crimes, such as a flower that sneaks money out of a bank. | ||||||
| 71 | "Double Double Crossers" | Heywood Kling | Myron Waldman | Bill Focht | 8 June 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go claims that an impersonator of him is going to rob the bank and that he himself is innocent. It is really a robot double that Hugo himself built so he can have an alibi for his own crimes. | ||||||
| 72 | "The Baffling Bluffs of Hugo A-Go-Go" | Dennis Marks | Martin Taras | Bob Owen | 15 August 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go fools people into thinking that everyday objects are actually powerful weapons so he can rob them easily. | ||||||
| 73 | "Napoleon Blownapart" | Heywood Kling | Bill Ackerman | Bill Focht | 14 June 1967 | |
|
In this pun-loaded episode, a lunatic called Napoleon Blownapart (a parody of Napoleon Bonaparte) is using hand grenades to blow up statues in the park. | ||||||
| 74 | "The Atom Boom" | Dennis Marks | Martin Taras, Jim Logan | Bob Owen | 12 July 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go pretends to surrender in order to lure Batfink into a seemingly inescapable trap he calls the Atom Boom (a parody of the atom bomb). | ||||||
| 75 | "Magneto the Magnificent" | Dennis Marks | Dave Tendlar, Morey Reden | Bill Focht | 26 July 1967 | |
|
Magneto the Magnificent (no relation to the Marvel Comics supervillain) is a crook whose magnetic gauntlets help him to steal things. His voice is modeled after Cary Grant's. | ||||||
| 76 | "Hugo the Crimefighter" | Dennis Marks | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen | 21 June 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go gains a reputation as a costumed crimefighter in order to put Batfink out of business. | ||||||
| 77 | "The Trojan Horse Thief" | Heywood Kling | Tom Golden, Arnie Levy | Bill Focht | 12 July 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go's new vehicle is an armored, heavily armed "Trojan horse" that can tear into vaults. | ||||||
| 78 | "The Zap Sap" | Dennis Marks | Martin Taras, James Logan | Bill Focht | 12 September 1967 | |
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Hugo A-Go-Go builds a "flying saucer" and fools everyone into thinking he is an alien. | ||||||
| 79 | "Unhappy Birthday" | Heywood Kling | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen | 26 June 1967 | |
|
On Batfink's birthday, Hugo A-Go-Go tries a number of ways to destroy him, from a grenade in a gift box to a giant cake with a stick of dynamite for a candle. | ||||||
| 80 | "Buster the Ruster" | Heywood Kling | Dave Tendlar, Frank Endres | Bob Owen | 26 July 1967 | |
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Buster the Ruster uses a spray gun loaded with "rust dust" to disintegrate safes and policemen's guns. | ||||||
| 81 | "Karate's Day Off" | Dennis Marks | Dave Tendlar, Bob Taylor | Bob Owen | 14 September 1967 | |
|
On his day off, Karate is fooled by two crooks into believing that Batfink is their hostage and is forced to help them steal. | ||||||
| 82 | "Mike the Mimic" | Nick Meglin | Dave Tendlar, Frank Endres | Bob Owen | 28 September 1967 | |
|
Mike the Mimic uses his impersonation skills to trap Batfink and take his place. | ||||||
| 83 | "Cinderobber" | Heywood Kling | Dave Tendlar, Morey Reden | Bob Owen | 3 August 1967 | |
|
The Chief's new cleaning lady has stolen the police payroll and accidentally left one of her shoes behind; it can only be Cinderobber! (a parody of "Cinderella") | ||||||
| 84 | "Bouncey Bouncey Batfink" | Dennis Marks | Bill Ackerman | Bob Owen | 26 June 1967 | |
|
Mr. Bouncey, a former bouncer, uses a chemical spray to turn the bridge into rubber and he demands $1 million to "derubberize" it. | ||||||
| 85 | "The Bomber Bird" | Heywood Kling | Dave Tendlar, James Tyer | Bob Owen | 3 August 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go has built a giant mechanical pigeon that drops explosive eggs. | ||||||
| 86 | "The Copycat Bat" | Heywood Kling | Myron Waldman | Bill Focht | 30 June 1967 | |
|
Using mechanical steel wings, Hugo A-Go-Go impersonates Batfink while stealing the city payroll and Batfink is framed for the crime. | ||||||
| 87 | "Old King Cruel" | Heywood Kling | Tom Golden, Arnie Levy | Bob Owen | 12 September 1967 | |
|
Old King Cruel (a parody of Old King Cole) steals money from a charity and candy from a baby. | ||||||
| 88 | "Victor the Predictor" | Dennis Marks | Dave Tendlar, Morey Reden | Bill Focht | 14 September 1967 | |
|
Victor the Predictor publicly predicts that a valuable gem will disappear and Batfink will be destroyed; Victor has secretly arranged for his predictions to come true. | ||||||
| 89 | "Goldyunlocks and the Three Baers" | Heywood Kling | Bill Ackerman | Bob Owen | 26 July 1967 | |
|
Goldyunlocks (a parody of Goldilocks) robs the bank with the aid of her henchmen, the three Baer brothers. | ||||||
| 90 | "Jerkules" | Heywood Kling | Martin Taras, James Tyer | Bob Owen | 14 September 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go's machine has given him superhuman strength, which he uses to commit crimes under the name "Jerkules" (because he does not want Hercules to sue him). | ||||||
| 91 | "Hugo Here, Hugo There" | Dennis Marks | Martin Taras, John Gentilella | Bob Owen | 15 August 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go's new "here-and-there belt" lets him teleport into and out of bank vaults and send Batfink to random places around the world. | ||||||
| 92 | "Bowl Brummel" | Nick Meglin | Dave Tendlar, Milton Stein | Bob Owen | 4 October 1967 | |
|
Ex-champion bowler Bowl Brummel (whose name is a play on "Beau Brummel") uses an exploding bowling ball to rob several jewelry stores at once. | ||||||
| 93 | "Fleiderfink" | Dennis Marks | Tom Golden, Arnie Levy | Bob Owen | 15 August 1967 | |
|
Operatic understudy Harold Hamboné uses a special powder to make the star lose his voice so that he can go on instead. The title is a takeoff of Die Fleidermaus, an opera whose title translates as The Bat. | ||||||
| 94 | "Blankenstein" | Heywood Kling | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen | 3 August 1967 | |
|
Green-skinned Mr. Blankenstein (whose name is a parody of "Frankenstein") has a gun that shoots "blanks" that blank out people's memories. | ||||||
| 95 | "Whip Van Winkle" | Heywood Kling | Tom Golden, Arnie Levy | Bob Owen | 28 September 1967 | |
|
When he is not napping, Whip Van Winkle (whose name is a play on "Rip Van Winkle") uses whips to rob people. | ||||||
| 96 | "Tough MacDuff" | Heywood Kling | Martin Taras, Frank Endres | Bob Owen | 4 October 1967 | |
|
Batfink's oldest enemy Tough MacDuff has been released from prison and has gathered together all of Batfink's foes consisting of Manhole Manny, Big Ears Ernie, Gluey Louie, Stupidman, Skinny Minnie, Whip Van Winkle, Old King Cruel, Cinderobber, Swami Salami, Party Marty, Beanstalk Jack, Queenie Bee, Sporty Morty, and Rozz the Schnozz as well as Hugo A-Go-Go. He is giving the hero an ultimatum: get out of town or be destroyed by the villains. | ||||||
| 97 | "Judy Jitsu" | Heywood Kling | Bill Ackerman | Bob Owen | 28 September 1967 | |
|
Martial artist Judy Jitsu (whose name is derived from "jujutsu") steals a valuable set of jewelry; the heroes track her down, even though Karate is falling for her. | ||||||
| 98 | "Ego A-Go-Go" | Dennis Marks | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen | 12 September 1967 | |
|
Hugo A-Go-Go has sprayed Batfink with a chemical called Ego A-Go-Go that has turned him into a narcissist, thus making him easier to fight. | ||||||
| 99 | "Father Time Bomb" | Heywood Kling | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen | 4 October 1967 | |
|
Father Time Bomb (who resembles Father Time) informs the Chief that he has planted a time bomb somewhere in the city. The heroes look for it, not knowing that it is at police headquarters. | ||||||
| 100 | "Batfink – This Is Your Life" | Dennis Marks | Myron Waldman | Bob Owen | 4 October 1967 | |
|
Trapped in a seemingly inescapable death trap by Hugo A-Go-Go, Batfink sees his life flash before his eyes and we see how he first became a steel-winged crimefighter. The title is taken from the TV series This Is Your Life. | ||||||
Hidden political message
[edit]According to Dave Mackey's Batfink site, a two-part political message is concealed in two episodes, disguised as sped-up gibberish. Mackey translates the message as follows:
- Part 1 (in "Spin the Batfink"): "The most dangerous force in America today is Walter Reuther and his political machine. It's time we realized that they intend to run this country. When the smut publishers put a..."[9]
- Part 2 (in "Bride and Doom"): "...dirty cover on a clean book, let's take it at face value and call it trash and dump it in the river".[10]
Production and syndication
[edit]The cartoon was produced at Hal Seeger Studios, in New York City, and at Bill Ackerman Productions in Midland Park, New Jersey. It was syndicated by Screen Gems and continued to air on local stations throughout the 1980s.[11] Nickelodeon briefly aired episodes of Batfink on Weinerville as well as its Nick in the Afternoon[12] block in 1995 and 1997. In September 2006, it returned to the U.S. as part of "Cartoons Without a Clue", Boomerang's mystery lineup on weekends.
The Batfink series was very popular in the UK, becoming a cult series like the later Danger Mouse, and from 1967 onwards, it was shown at least once every year on UK terrestrial television until 1983, initially on the BBC network, where it was allocated an early evening slot just before the BBC News, and latterly as part of Children's ITV; it subsequently reappeared in 1986 on the ITV Saturday morning magazine show Get Fresh. In the early 1990s, it was repeated again as part of TV-am's Wide Awake Club/Wacaday series; after Wacaday finished in 1992, Batfink was consigned to the vaults in the UK for the next twelve years. It first aired on 6 January 1994 on BBC One during its CBBC Block at the exact time of 16;00.
In 2004, Batfink gained a whole new following, when it was rerun in a number of episodes of the BBC's Saturday morning show Dick and Dom in da Bungalow. From April 2006, it had enjoyed an extended, if somewhat irregular, repeat run on CBBC.
Batfink was made quickly and cheaply by re-using stock sequences. Although most serial animations do this to some extent, Batfink did it more than most. Commonly repeated scenes include the intro to the initial briefings by the Chief (the TV screen hotline buzzing into life), Batfink and Karate getting into the Battillac, the Battillac going round mountain bends, the Battillac going over a bridge, Batfink's supersonic sonar radar, and others. Sometimes, the repeated scenes would be cut short, so that sections could be re-used to fit the storyline more closely.
DVD release
[edit]- Cinema Club released the complete series on Region 2 DVD on 6 December 2004.
- Shout! Factory released Batfink: The Complete Series on DVD in Region 1 on 3 July 2007.[13]
- Both DVD boxsets run over four DVDs and contain all 100 episodes of the series.
- In January 2007, A-Design released a single Batfink DVD in Bulgaria, which includes 26 5-minute segments.
See also
[edit]Note
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 60. ISBN 978-1538103739.
- ^ Frames per Second Archived 23 June 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "website". Archived from the original on March 5, 2005.
- ^ Decaro, Frank (August 5, 2007). "Another Caped Crusader, Super Tongue in Cheek". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
- ^ Gross, Ed (February 18, 2022). "50 Saturday Morning Cartoons From The 1960s, THE FINTSTONES to SUPERHEROES and SCOOBY-DOO". toonado.com. Archived from the original on April 24, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
- ^ Markstein, Don. "Batfink". Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 113–114. ISBN 978-1476665993.
- ^ "Batfink – "Gypsy James" – 1967". www.youtube.com.
- ^ ""Spin the Batfink" at Dave Mackey's site". Archived from the original on October 9, 2008.
- ^ ""Bride and Doom" at Dave Mackey's site". Archived from the original on October 7, 2008.
- ^ "Batfink". DVD Talk. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
- ^ ""Batfink" on Nickelodeon". Anime Superhero Forum. June 14, 2005. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
- ^ "Batfink: The Complete Series". Shout! Factory store. Archived from the original on May 22, 2007.
External links
[edit]- Hal Seeger at IMDb (with links to each Batfink episode)
- Batfink at IMDb
- "Batfink". Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Archived from the original on March 21, 2014.
Batfink
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Batfink is an American animated television series of superhero parody shorts produced by Hal Seeger Productions, debuting in 1966 with 100 five-minute episodes syndicated for children's programming.[1][2] The titular character, an anthropomorphic bat, possesses super sonic sonar for detection and bulletproof wings of steel that serve as an impenetrable shield against threats.[1][2]
Accompanied by his human sidekick Karate, who employs martial arts chops to subdue foes, Batfink patrols in the wing-equipped Battilac vehicle, confronting recurring villains like the mad scientist Hugo A-Go-Go.[1][2] Voiced by Frank Buxton as Batfink and Len Maxwell as Karate, the series satirizes the campy Batman live-action show and Green Hornet, emphasizing absurd invincibility and rapid resolutions to crime-fighting escapades.[1][2] Originally distributed through local stations and later revived on networks like Nickelodeon in the 1990s, Batfink exemplifies quick-production animation capitalizing on the mid-1960s superhero fad.[1][3]
Premise and Format
Core Plot Elements
Episodes of Batfink center on the titular superhero bat thwarting criminal plots, most frequently devised by the mad scientist Hugo A-Go-Go using outlandish inventions. The narrative arc begins with an alert from the police chief delivered via a buzzing television hotline in Batfink's headquarters, detailing the villain's scheme such as payroll theft or artificial disasters.[4][5] Batfink, possessing wings constructed of solid steel that function as an impenetrable shield and supersonic sonar capable of homing returns like a boomerang, mobilizes with his sidekick Karate, a martial arts practitioner who drives their pink vehicle, the Battillac, or operates the Batcopter for aerial pursuits.[5][6] The duo intercepts the antagonists, leading to chases and skirmishes where Hugo or other foes deploy gadgets like mechanical duplicates or weather-manipulating devices.[7] A recurring climax features Batfink ensnared in a contrived deathtrap, such as bondage or environmental hazards, prompting a freeze-frame cliffhanger. Batfink then proclaims, "My wings are like a shield of steel! My supersonic sonar is like a boomerang!" before effortlessly escaping and subduing the villains with minimal effort, emphasizing the series' parodic invincibility.[4][7] This formulaic resolution underscores the show's satirical take on superhero tropes, with outcomes consistently favoring Batfink's superhuman attributes over prolonged conflict.[6]Episode Structure and Style
Episodes of Batfink follow a rigidly formulaic structure, typically unfolding within five-minute shorts that emphasize rapid pacing and repetition to suit syndicated children's programming. A villain, often endowed with an eccentric or pun-laden name such as Hugo A-Go-Go or Queenie Bee, initiates a scheme involving theft or disruption, prompting an immediate alert to the protagonists. The police chief contacts Batfink via a video receiver or Bat-Phone from his office, briefing him on the threat and mobilizing a response.[1][8] Batfink then deploys his "supersonic sonar radar" to pinpoint the perpetrator's location, leading to a pursuit involving the Battillac vehicle, with stock footage frequently reused for efficiency.[8] Confrontation ensues, marked by Batfink's declaration that "your bullets cannot harm me; my wings are like a shield of steel," followed by physical clashes resolved through improbable escapes from deathtraps and the capture of the antagonist, who is promptly jailed. Episodes conclude in the chief's office with a lighthearted joke or moral quip, reinforcing the self-contained narrative arc.[8][9] Stylistically, the series employs limited animation techniques characteristic of mid-1960s television production, relying on static backgrounds, minimal character movement, and recycled sequences—such as the Battillac's arrival or the chief's call—to minimize costs while producing 100 episodes between April 1966 and 1967.[1][9] Visuals feature bold, primary colors and simplified designs, with on-screen text for sound effects like "BEEP" for radar activation, enhancing the campy, parody-driven tone that lampoons contemporary superhero serials such as Batman. Narration, delivered by Len Maxwell with ironic detachment, heightens dramatic tension through recurring cliffhangers questioning "Will Batfink survive?" before swiftly resolving perils in surreal fashion, blending action with absurdity.[9] Catchphrases like "Well done, Karate!" punctuate sidekick contributions, while the overall humor derives from exaggerated heroism and predictable beats, prioritizing comedic brevity over narrative depth.[8] This approach, produced by Hal Seeger Studios, mirrors low-budget funny-animal cartoons of the era, favoring quick laughs and formulaic reliability for young audiences.[1]Characters
Protagonists
Batfink serves as the primary protagonist of the series, depicted as an anthropomorphic bat superhero possessing wings constructed of steel that enable rapid flight and super-sonic sonar radar for detecting threats and navigating environments.[10] These abilities allow him to swiftly respond to criminal activities, often announcing his powers with the catchphrase "wings of steel" and "super-sonic sonar radar" during confrontations. Voiced by Frank Buxton, Batfink embodies an invincible crime-fighter archetype, parodying contemporary superhero tropes prevalent in mid-1960s media.[2] Complementing Batfink is his sidekick, Karate (full name Kara Te), a human martial arts practitioner clad in a gi, who functions as the driver of the Battillac, a specialized vehicle used for transporting the duo to crime scenes.[8] Voiced by Len Maxwell, Karate employs his expertise in hand-to-hand combat, frequently utilizing powerful chops to subdue adversaries, though his portrayal includes elements of clumsiness and limited intelligence, adding comedic relief to their adventures.[1] As the offspring of the blacksmith who forged Batfink's wings, Karate maintains a close alliance with the bat hero, contributing physical prowess to balance Batfink's technological and flight-based capabilities.[11]Allies and Supporting Figures
Karate functions as Batfink's principal sidekick, a human character portrayed as an oversized, gi-wearing martial arts practitioner of Japanese descent who chauffeurs Batfink in their distinctive pink vehicle, the Battillac.[1][6] Voiced by Len Maxwell, Karate assists in combat against villains using his karate expertise, though his bumbling and gluttonous traits often introduce humorous mishaps.[12][8] He is characterized as the son of the blacksmith responsible for forging Batfink's steel wings, emphasizing their close alliance.[11] The Chief of Police serves as Batfink's key contact within law enforcement, relaying details of emerging crimes through a video link to prompt interventions.[13] Also voiced by Len Maxwell, the Chief coordinates with Batfink and Karate to address threats posed by antagonists like Hugo A-Go-Go.[14] This recurring role underscores the integration of official police support in Batfink's operations across the series' 100 episodes aired from 1966 to 1967.[1]Antagonists and Villains
The primary antagonist in Batfink is Hugo A-Go-Go, a deranged scientist portrayed as the show's central villain who repeatedly devises elaborate schemes using bizarre inventions, such as brain-washing fluid, to conquer or disrupt the city.[2] [8] Hugo is often accompanied by his young son, Goo Goo, who serves as a henchman in these plots, emphasizing the series' satirical take on mad scientist archetypes in superhero narratives.[2] While Hugo A-Go-Go features prominently across multiple episodes, the series features a diverse roster of mostly one-off villains, reflecting its parody of 1960s superhero tropes with absurd, low-stakes threats that Batfink thwarts using his supersonic speed and karate-chop wings.[15] Notable examples include Queenie Bee, a female criminal commanding an army of bees for her criminal endeavors; Sabubu, a Baghdad-based thief employing a magic carpet for escapes and heists; Ebeneezer the Freezer, who attempts to encase the city in ice; and Mr. Boomer, utilizing sonic booms as a weapon.[16] Other adversaries encompass Myron the Magician, a stage performer turned crook with illusory tricks; Fatman, a bulky foe relying on physical might; and Brother Goose, among a total of over 30 distinct villains documented in episode plots, with minimal repetition beyond Hugo to maintain episodic variety.[11] [6] These characters underscore the show's humorous, non-serious approach, where villains' plans—often involving giant props or elemental control—fail predictably against Batfink's simplistic heroism.[1]Production
Creation and Development
Hal Seeger, an animator active since the 1930s and 1940s, created Batfink through his New York-based Hal Seeger Studio (also known as Hal Seeger Productions) as a parody of the superhero genre, specifically capitalizing on the massive popularity of ABC's live-action Batman television series that premiered on January 12, 1966.[17][1] The concept featured a literal bat as the hero, contrasting the human Bruce Wayne's alter ego, with Seeger's studio producing 100 five-minute episodes in a rapid, low-budget manner to meet syndication demands.[18][19] Development emphasized cost-efficiency and speed, with extensive reuse of animation cycles, backgrounds, and sound effects to churn out the full series within months; production wrapped by mid-1967 after starting shortly following Batman's debut.[18] Seeger's prior experience with similar humorous animated series, such as Milton the Monster (1965) and Fearless Fly (1966), informed the formulaic structure, including a narrator-driven format and recurring villain plots, allowing for minimal original animation per episode.[1][17] The series entered syndication on April 21, 1966, distributed by Batfink Productions Inc., reflecting Seeger's strategy to flood markets with short-form content amid the 1960s superhero craze.[20]Animation and Technical Methods
Batfink was produced using limited animation techniques prevalent in 1960s television cartoons, featuring minimal frame-by-frame movement, static backgrounds, and looping cycles for actions like walking or flying to minimize production expenses. This method, combined with simple character designs in bold primary colors, prioritized narrative delivery and humor over detailed fluidity. Hal Seeger Productions employed heavy reuse of animated sequences across the series' 100 episodes, which aired from April 21, 1966, to October 4, 1967, including recurring motifs such as Batfink's deployment of his "wings of steel" shield or standard villain confrontations. Such efficiencies allowed for the rapid creation of five-minute shorts without redrawing identical scenes, a cost-saving practice that maintained consistency while adhering to tight syndication schedules. The traditional cel animation process involved hand-drawing key frames and in-betweening on transparent celluloid sheets overlaid on painted backgrounds, typical of the era's 2D workflow before widespread adoption of xerography.[21] This technical foundation supported the show's surreal, parody-driven style, parodying contemporaries like Batman through exaggerated, low-motion gags rather than sophisticated kinetics.Voice Cast and Narration
Frank Buxton provided the voice for the titular superhero Batfink across all 100 episodes of the series, which aired from September 1966 to December 1967.[22][14] Buxton, a multifaceted performer known for live-action and voice work, also voiced additional characters such as Hugo A-Go-Go and various minor roles.[23] Len Maxwell handled multiple key roles, including the Chief (Batfink's superior), the sidekick Karate, and the series narrator, contributing to the show's campy, rapid-paced delivery.[22][14] Maxwell's narration typically opened episodes with exaggerated announcements of villainous threats, mimicking 1960s superhero tropes in a deadpan tone.[12] Other supporting voices included Ginny Tyler as Batminda (Batfink's girlfriend) and Brilliant Bonnie, as well as Dal McKennon in select villain parts.[24] The limited cast reflected the production's low-budget animation style, with actors multitasking to cover the episodic formula of hero-villain confrontations.[25]| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Batfink | Frank Buxton |
| Chief | Len Maxwell[22] |
| Karate | Len Maxwell[12] |
| Narrator | Len Maxwell[14] |
| Batminda | Ginny Tyler[24] |