Frank Gorshin's Riddler: Could he have done it elsewhere

[ShadowBoxing]

Watching Batman 1960 on TV I yet again was introduced the Frank Gorshin's Riddler. I was so impressed by his portrayal at my current age (only being an avid Batman 1960s viewer as a kid) that I realized he had a great grasp and handle of the character. So much so I thought it would be possible for him to play it in either Batman 89 or even a Batman Begins Universe.

It was silly, but not so silly it seemed ridiculous. Obviously he wouldn't leave idiotic riddles, would not dress in Green spandex if he were in Batman Begins or attack Batman with weird plans. But the WAY he played him, the maneurisms, the canter, the way he spoke and how he acted...that I think could translate.

What do you think, if Frank were a young actor and alive today could he have played the Riddler in a Nolan Batfilm...or would you want someone else.

I really like this actor a lot, I think he had a lot of range...but even more to the point I think he took the time to understand this character with the same serious attitude other actors have taken with Superheroes. Whether he did silly things or not on screen is irrelevant, I truly think under a different direction he could have done it with grit.

 

[The Kid]

Absolutely. His performance as riddler is to me very underrated by batman fans who mostly just want to ignore the west era.

I recall how absoltuely convincing he was as this maniac genius who's extremely passionate about outwitting batman. Remove some of the cheese from around him and you truly have someone obsessed with their work, so yeah I think his type of riddler would be alright in a begins movie.

I wouldn't even tone it down one bit. Riddler to me should be obsessed with riddles, but not like Carrey's weirdo version.

 

[ShadowBoxing]

Dang straight. He really brought some seriousness to an otherwise silly show.

 

[ShadowBoxing]

Enough people don't support loving Frank Gorshin it seems.

 

[StorminNorman]

I love Frank Gorshin and I am proud.

 

[SuperFerret]

Gorshin was the Riddler. If the artists DC employs knew anything, they'd base the Riddler's look off of him (similar to the way Prof. X started to look more like Patrick Stewart).

 

[ShadowBoxing]

Gorshin was the Riddler. If the artists DC employs knew anything, they'd base the Riddler's look off of him (similar to the way Prof. X started to look more like Patrick Stewart).

Gorshin is the Riddler...now and forever

 

[Spider-Kurt!]

Gorshin is the Riddler...now and forever

PREACH!!! He was, hands down, my undisputed favorite villian on that show! Remember when that guy from the Adams' Family took over the role and butchered it? Thank God Gorshin eventually returned to salvage what was left of it! His version of the Riddler remains to be how I most want the character to be portrayed...other than the spandex

 

[Spider-Kurt!]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ-_sj9jUIM
Watch...watch and learn DC comics!

 

[Jack Bauer]

He IS The Riddler.

 

[ToddIsDead]

Maybe it's just been too long since I've watched the batman show, but I'm not AS in love with Gorshin as the Riddler as some of you are. He was really good, and leagues ahead of Jim Carrey, but I remember him being a bit too out there for me, but it's been so long since I've watched the show, so I can't really accurately give an informed opinion. I think Romero was brilliant as Joker though. He played the 50s and 60s Joker pitch perfectly. I think I really need to watch some Riddler episodes to form an opinion.

I think he had the perfect look though.

 

[batlovescatDC]

Forget Jim Carrey... I'll take Gorshin any day. I was kid when the Burton/Schumacher films were being released (I'm only 21) and I even like the Gorshin portrayal better. Love it!

He is without a doubt my favorite live-action Riddler, but my favorite version, however, is not a live action one. It is B:TAS. I LOVE THAT DAMN VERSION!!!!! Very sadistic. Dark... that's why I liked it. It had such depth and perversion to it and that's how the Riddler should be.

But still... live action... Gorshin all the way!

 

[Spider-Kurt!]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ-_sj9jUIM
Watch...watch and learn DC comics!

I only wish they included the clip that followed in which the Riddler tells his crew that he's gonna tell Comishiner Gordon and company that Batman and Robin are dead. Riddler's girl asks why bother leaving a stupid riddle? At that point, Riddler gives a "B****! Have you lost your damn mind???" look and proceeds to explain that life without riddles is a life not worth living or something to that effect.
I love how Gorshin played such a bi-polar psychopath who despite the campy nature of the show, could come across dead serious.

 

[The Question]

He was certainly the only villain on th show who seemed genuinely insane.

 

[Ben Urich]

Frank Gorshin was a true genius
I miss him

 

[Spider - Man]

I love Frank Gorshin and I am proud.

ditto

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

One of my favorite scenes in that quasi-reunion show they did recently was when Gorshin and Newmar get into the batmobile, after they tie up West and Ward, he decides to push the button and Newmar starts arguing with him and then he says something like,

"I have to push the button! Its my character's tragic flaw!"

 

[DEMONS BLOOD]

I rememeber he did a guest spot on C.S.I.,a few years back,and sadly it turned out to be his last role.
He played his self,if I'm not mistaken,and he played it to the hilt,just like he did playing the Riddler all those years back.
Frank Gorshin was an accomplished actor who took every role he had,and made it his own,but he will forever be known as The Riddler for his portrayal of that character was truly one of a kind...never to be duplicated,yet always imitated!

LONG LIVE GORSHINS RIDDLER!!!!!

 

[DocLathropBrown]

My favorite Gorshin moment was in the film when he told the Joker that outwitting Batman is his love, his livelihood and "his very paradise!"

He was perfect, even today. Carrey tried to copy him and failed.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

Gorshin is the greatest Riddler, and Cesar Romero is the greatest Joker.

 

[The Question]

Gorshin was the best part of the show. He was the only villain who seemed dangerous and genuinely insane. But, he was still funny when he needed to be, which was nice.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

Gorshin was the best part of the show. He was the only villain who seemed dangerous and genuinely insane. But, he was still funny when he needed to be, which was nice.

The Penguin definetly was dangerous. He had a Child-Catcher vibe to him. Just creepy.

 

[The Batman]

FG's Riddler is the way riddler should always be portrayed....if he were portrayed that way, hed be a villain that isnt just respected by non comic readers

 

[SuperFerret]

Gorshin was the Riddler. If the artists DC employs knew anything, they'd base the Riddler's look off of him (similar to the way Prof. X started to look more like Patrick Stewart).

Gorshin is the Riddler...now and forever

My mistake.


Sorry Frank. RIP?

 

[The Batman]

yup. about two years ago due to lung cancer from lifelong smoking

now julie newmar is the only batcriminal of the big 4 still living