Batfink facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Batfink |
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Batfink being chauffeured by his aide, Karate.
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| Created by | Hal Seeger |
| Written by | Dennis Marks Heywood Kling |
| Starring | Frank Buxton Len Maxwell |
| Narrated by | Len Maxwell |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of episodes | 100 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Running time | 26 min. (approx. 6 min. per short) |
| Production company(s) | Hal Seeger Productions Golden West Broadcasters |
| Distributor | Screen Gems |
| Release | |
| Original network | KTLA & Syndication |
| Original release | 21 April 1966 – 4 October 1967 |
Batfink is a fun animated TV show from 1966. It features short, five-minute episodes, and there are 100 of them! The show was created by Hal Seeger as a funny take on popular superhero shows like Batman and The Green Hornet. Get ready to meet a bat superhero with metal wings and his loyal sidekick!
Contents
The Story of Batfink
Batfink is a superhero bat with special metal wings. He fights crime in his city with the help of his friend, Karate. Their main enemy is a mad scientist named Hugo A-Go-Go.
Exciting Cliffhangers
Many episodes of Batfink end with Batfink in a very tricky spot. He might be tied up or in a situation where his wings can't help him. Just as things look really bad, the action stops! The narrator dramatically asks if Batfink will survive. But don't worry, he always escapes! He usually finds a clever, unexpected way out, or uses his amazing superpowers.
Meet the Characters
Batfink: The Metal-Winged Hero
Batfink (voiced by Frank Buxton) is a super-smart grey bat who acts like a human. He wears a yellow suit with a big red "B" and red gloves and boots. His main tools for fighting crime are his super-fast sonar radar and his black metal wings.
Batfink's Supersonic Sonar Radar
Batfink's "supersonic sonar radar" is like a super-powered version of how real bats find things using sound. When Batfink uses it, the letters "BEEP" (or "BEEP BEEP") fly out of his mouth. These letters can see, feel, and even get scared! They fly wherever Batfink needs them to go and report back what they've seen. His catchphrase is, "My supersonic sonar radar will help me!" Sometimes, the "BEEP" letters get into funny trouble, like getting stung by bees!
Batfink's Metallic Wings
Batfink's metal wings are his best defense. He can wrap them around himself like a strong shield to block almost any attack. This is where his most famous line comes from: "Your bullets cannot harm me – my wings are like a shield of steel!" He can also use his wings to fly incredibly fast or even as a sword in a fight. They help him escape danger or break free when he's captured. However, his wings are heavy, so he sinks in water. Strong magnets also cause him problems.
The Battillac Car
Batfink drives a cool pink car called the "Battillac." It looks a bit like a Volkswagen Beetle but with bat-like fins and "B" emblems. The Battillac is super tough and can resist explosions and energy blasts. When a crime happens, Batfink always says, "Karate, the Battillac!"
Batfink's Origin Story
In the last episode, we learn how Batfink got his powers. He was born in an old plutonium mine. As a child, he lost his natural wings while saving his mother from escaping criminals. This event inspired him to become a crime-fighter. Batfink lives in a special cave with a direct video link to the police chief.
Karate: The Strong Sidekick
Karate (voiced by Len Maxwell) is Batfink's strong but sometimes clumsy sidekick. He wears a white martial arts uniform and drives the Battillac. He's very strong and can help Batfink out of tough spots. Karate carries many gadgets in his "utility sleeve," which is a funny nod to Batman's utility belt. He often succeeds by accident rather than by being super smart.
Karate is a parody of Kato, the Green Hornet's sidekick. His large size is inspired by Oddjob from the James Bond movies. In early episodes, his voice sounded like a stereotype, but later it changed to a fast, nasal voice, inspired by Maxwell Smart from Get Smart. Sometimes, Karate even says, "Sorry about that, Batfink," just like Maxwell Smart!
The Chief: Batfink's Police Contact
The Chief (voiced by Len Maxwell) is Batfink's main contact in the police force. He tells Batfink about all the new crimes through a video link to Batfink's cave. Batfink always answers, "The hotline — Batfink here."
Hugo A-Go-Go: The Mad Scientist
Hugo A-Go-Go (voiced by Frank Buxton) is the main bad guy in the series. He's known as "the world's maddest mad scientist." He spends his time in his secret lab creating crazy inventions to try and defeat Batfink and take over the world. No matter how many times he's caught, he always finds a way to escape and cause trouble again! Hugo sometimes even talks directly to the narrator, which is pretty funny.
Other Villains Batfink Fights
Batfink faces many other unique villains, including:
- Ebeneezer the Freezer - A villain who tries to freeze the city.
- Mr. Boomer - Uses sonic booms from his jets to break windows and help his glass business.
- Big Ears Ernie - A burglar with super-sensitive hearing.
- Manhole Manny - Steals things by reaching up through manholes from the sewers.
- Skinny Minnie - The world's thinnest thief, who can squeeze through tiny spaces.
- Fatman - A criminal who steals only fat items.
- Gluey Louie - Uses sticky glue to stop people during his crimes.
- Brother Goose - Commits crimes based on nursery rhymes.
- Myron the Magician - Uses magic tricks to steal.
- Sporty Morty - A villain who uses different sports equipment in his crimes.
- Stupidman - The Chief's brother-in-law, who commits really silly crimes.
- Professor Vibrato - Uses vibration technology for his evil plans.
- Greasy Gus - Uses grease to make people slip and fall during his robberies.
- Swami Salami - A snake charmer who uses the Indian rope trick to rob tall buildings.
- The Human Pretzel - A contortionist who steals diamonds.
- Professor Hopper - Uses trained fleas to steal jewelry.
- Roz the Schnozz - Has a nose like a bloodhound to sniff out valuables.
- Party Marty - A party-themed criminal who uses special party favors.
- The Rotten Rainmaker - Controls the weather with a special machine.
- Gypsy James - Steals parking meters and uses voodoo dolls against Batfink.
- The Chameleon - An art thief who uses camouflage screens to hide.
- Beanstalk Jack - Uses instant giant beanstalks to commit crimes.
- Robber Hood - An archery-themed criminal who steals money for himself.
- Sandman Sam - Uses "slumber sand" to put people to sleep.
- The Great Escapo - An escape artist who challenges Batfink with traps.
- Daniel Boom - Uses explosives in his crimes.
- Queenie Bee - A female villain with an army of bees.
- Sabubu - A thief from Baghdad who uses a magic carpet.
- Napoleon Blownapart - Uses hand grenades to blow up statues.
- Magneto the Magnificent - Uses magnetic gloves to steal things.
- Buster the Ruster - Uses a spray gun with "rust dust" to break safes.
- Mike the Mimic - An impersonator who tries to take Batfink's place.
- Cinderobber - A criminal cleaning lady who steals the police payroll.
- Mr. Bouncy - Uses a spray to turn things into rubber.
- Victor the Predictor - Predicts crimes and secretly makes them happen.
- Goldyunlocks - A female villain obsessed with unlocking every lock.
- Tough MacDuff - Batfink's oldest enemy, who once gathered many villains to get Batfink to leave town.
- Judy Jitsu - A martial artist who steals jewelry, and Karate has a crush on her.
- Father Time Bomb - Plants time bombs around the city.
