I never understood why Rich Little was considered the greatest impressionist of his day. All of Gorshin's are better, to me (with all due respect.) He did fantastic impressions of Jackie Gleason and Richard Burton too.
Incredible performance and the man's laugh is one of the defining things about the Batman show. Know any number of impressionists who got into the business because of the "Kopykats," which Frank and Rich Little (along with George Kirby, Marilyn Michaels, and others) starred in during the early 1970s.
All of his impressions are spot on. It's interesting that this show obviously precedes The Godfather film so the impression is classic On The Waterfront Marlon Brando - and he simply says "Brando". This just may be the quirkiest musical number ever. That Riddler's laugh is haunting and indelible. Thanks for sharing Frank's talent here.
Back in 1966, I was 13. My family went to a Concert. Frank opened the show. I was sitting on the Isle seat, back row. Heard a very low jazzy, singing voice directly behind me. I turned around it was Frank waiting to be annouced. He smiled & raised his eyebrows at me. I tripped, The Riddler! Lights beam on him, they announce him. He takes 2 steps, turns towards me & says with mic, "Question. Whats the simularity between going 2 the bathroom & going 2 the grave? When U gotta go U gotta go!" : )
@TheKenfig Who are you to call anyone cheesy wankers? Of course your country's citizens are all wonderful, deep-thinking types. It's creeps like you who leave nasty comments, and lower the standards of YouTube. Again piss off! And as for moron humor, how about Woody Allen, The Marx Brothers, Bob Hope, and many others. I'm guessing that the U.S. has had more world class comedians than lots of other countries.
@idiofa77 Where IS my country exactly ? Did I tell you ?. Didn't I say Gorshin was great as well ?. I adore the work of The Marxes, Woody Allen and many others like Jerry Lewis and Robin Williams. What 'lowers the standards' ?, LOL. YOU'RE a comedian ; you mean people who don't say EXACTLY what you want them to ? . That's control freakery on your part
When "Batman" premiered with special guest villain Frank Gorshin, Gorshin was the number one entertainer in the United. States. Impressionist, actor, singer, dancer...... Neither Carey nor anyone is as talented as Gorshin was on his worst day!
And Frank was one of the kindest, funniest, coolest people ever to meet. He truly seemed grateful that he got the responses he got. He attended college at what is now Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, and there is a section about Frank in an area that talks about grads who made good.
Gorshin really was a phenomenal talent, especially with the impressions. I'm honestly not all that familiar with Steiger's work (know who he is, of course, just never really saw any of his movies), so I can't say much about that one, either way. I thought the others were absolutely perfect, though (I'm still rolling over Kirk Douglas as Robin)!
After those flawless impressions watch how he changes to the riddler for the song and dance number. His voice changes yet again and his body language too.
Its all flawless, this must have taken immesnse amounts of practice and self discipline and oh yeah, pure talent.
Frank was somewhere between perfect and great. Tnaks for all the great memories Frank. RIP
Frank Gorshin is a comedy God! Not just from being a brilliant impressionist, but also being able to do this whole perfomance in one take and end with a musical/dance routine too? They really don't make performers like this anymore
I never understood why Rich Little was considered the greatest impressionist of his day. All of Gorshin's are better, to me (with all due respect.) He did fantastic impressions of Jackie Gleason and Richard Burton too.
ShawDAMAN 1 week ago
He must have slept well that night (or next day).
musicom67 1 week ago
Rest in Peace Mr. Gorshin...and thanks for all the laughs and memories, old friend! I'll see you in Heaven and we'll have a few laughs together.
HOTTIUSMAXIMUS 2 weeks ago
Incredible performance and the man's laugh is one of the defining things about the Batman show. Know any number of impressionists who got into the business because of the "Kopykats," which Frank and Rich Little (along with George Kirby, Marilyn Michaels, and others) starred in during the early 1970s.
trivialtony 3 weeks ago
All of his impressions are spot on. It's interesting that this show obviously precedes The Godfather film so the impression is classic On The Waterfront Marlon Brando - and he simply says "Brando". This just may be the quirkiest musical number ever. That Riddler's laugh is haunting and indelible. Thanks for sharing Frank's talent here.
elvisworldwide 1 month ago
He's great !!!
Toracube 1 month ago
He was great! Thanks for the upload!
bundangviking 1 month ago
what a pro... this is how it's done
mst3kpimp 1 month ago
omg he does look like douglas a little bit ahhaha
JEFFYjackass 2 months ago
@JEFFYjackass I always got them confused as a kid during the 70's :)
dangraphic 1 month ago
Rich Little had major skills, but Frank was always my favorite!!!
SkorpionOne 2 months ago
He was so sexy in a loungey lizardy kind of way! V. Talented!
debkakes 2 months ago
I got that song on CD.
lon40 2 months ago
Genius!pure and simple Frank was a comedy genius.Those impressions are spot on,his Richard Burton impression is awsome.Thanks for posting.
WilliamHoldenfan 2 months ago
Wow! Now THAT"S talent unlike today's crap on TV!! Now I understand why he was chosen to be The Riddler...cuz he's insane:):):)
SkorpionOne 3 months ago 3
dean martin show was greay i remember this one watched it all the time
realfunny7 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I remember this geeza when I was a kid, Class Pure Class
TheMrgaztop 3 months ago
I remember this geea when I was a kid, Class Pure Class
TheMrgaztop 3 months ago
every actor in the 1966 orginal "batman" movie gave it their absolute all.....one of the best films out..
HOMEnHIGH 4 months ago
Smokin' on the telly! Yeah...those were the days! : D
AegisNova 4 months ago
Riddle me this; who's suave like a swan, cool like a cucumber, and the greatest actor of his day?
SharkhamAsylum 4 months ago
Frank was an amazeing talent and a nice guy as well.He treated everyone with respect and warmth and ,what a memory!! RIP Frank.
lyilux 4 months ago
The only true Riddler. The 'Batman: the Animated Series' Riddler was pretty good, but compared to Frank? And I'm not even gonna mention Jim Carrey.
Nowadays the Riddler's a combination of Marilyn Manson and Freddy Krueger. What's with that? And he's barely even in the comics any more.
Oh well. At least we can always go back to the good 'ol 1966 version. We love ya, Frank.
Mouseagent 4 months ago
Did you know that Riddler son was written by the great Mel Torme? Frank Gorshin was a tremendous talent and sadly missed.
Monkofmagnesia 4 months ago in playlist Liked
Back in 1966, I was 13. My family went to a Concert. Frank opened the show. I was sitting on the Isle seat, back row. Heard a very low jazzy, singing voice directly behind me. I turned around it was Frank waiting to be annouced. He smiled & raised his eyebrows at me. I tripped, The Riddler! Lights beam on him, they announce him. He takes 2 steps, turns towards me & says with mic, "Question. Whats the simularity between going 2 the bathroom & going 2 the grave? When U gotta go U gotta go!" : )
RadioCannedMusic 4 months ago
Gorshin was great but the Americans are cheesy wankers aren't they generally ?
TheKenfig 5 months ago
@TheKenfig Piss off, obnoxious twit!
idiofa77 4 months ago
@idiofa77 Why ? Cos Americans are cheesy wankers ?. They always have to go over the top, overdone, insincere, childish ; moron humour etc
TheKenfig 4 months ago
@TheKenfig Who are you to call anyone cheesy wankers? Of course your country's citizens are all wonderful, deep-thinking types. It's creeps like you who leave nasty comments, and lower the standards of YouTube. Again piss off! And as for moron humor, how about Woody Allen, The Marx Brothers, Bob Hope, and many others. I'm guessing that the U.S. has had more world class comedians than lots of other countries.
idiofa77 4 months ago
@idiofa77 Where IS my country exactly ? Did I tell you ?. Didn't I say Gorshin was great as well ?. I adore the work of The Marxes, Woody Allen and many others like Jerry Lewis and Robin Williams. What 'lowers the standards' ?, LOL. YOU'RE a comedian ; you mean people who don't say EXACTLY what you want them to ? . That's control freakery on your part
TheKenfig 4 months ago
@TheKenfig shut up.
FrankieUKK 4 months ago
@FrankieUKK Oh, um, okay, seeing as it's YOU control freak, I might....just to make you feel safe
TheKenfig 4 months ago
That peacock... Just... so many colors...
trACEurace 5 months ago
He was also on Ed Sullivan as the act Before The Beatles in 64, That is Tough Duty
dingoboy5150 5 months ago
Amazing! By the end of the tune he seems to be inebriated within the power of his own character like he's glowing nuclear in his eyes. Great!
quieterrps 5 months ago
these guys were the best by far
ste123456754 5 months ago
Incredible.
GiftedOnWestEast 5 months ago
those chicks are smokin hot
arlichar11 5 months ago
When "Batman" premiered with special guest villain Frank Gorshin, Gorshin was the number one entertainer in the United. States. Impressionist, actor, singer, dancer...... Neither Carey nor anyone is as talented as Gorshin was on his worst day!
Monkofmagnesia 6 months ago
This kind of effort would be beyond today's audience. Too ethnic. Simple as that.
ezramead 6 months ago
This kind of effort would be beyond today's audience. Too ethnic. Simple as that.
ezramead 6 months ago
Oh my gosh! I am so grateful I got to meet with him and work on one of his last films! He was such a gentleman and a true pro in the business.
NoPunches 6 months ago
Yes, u are the Riddler.
robnelsonbayvillage 6 months ago
I can just imagine my parents watching this show.
philbio66 6 months ago
One of the greatest of all time RIP Frank
BronxNYE206St 6 months ago
what a talent
barclosed 6 months ago
Todays Impressionists? Nowhere Compared To ThIs Guy
jamestheengine 6 months ago
And Frank was one of the kindest, funniest, coolest people ever to meet. He truly seemed grateful that he got the responses he got. He attended college at what is now Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, and there is a section about Frank in an area that talks about grads who made good.
captainamerica1967us 7 months ago
Gorshin really was a phenomenal talent, especially with the impressions. I'm honestly not all that familiar with Steiger's work (know who he is, of course, just never really saw any of his movies), so I can't say much about that one, either way. I thought the others were absolutely perfect, though (I'm still rolling over Kirk Douglas as Robin)!
TypicalJAFO 7 months ago
Gorshin was a master. Can you repost and crank up volume?
smithbonz 7 months ago
"Brought to you in living color on NBC." Hadn't seen that or heard that in ages.
captainamerica1967us 7 months ago
Brilliant as the Riddler. Jim Carrey carried Frank's lunch.
captainamerica1967us 7 months ago
@captainamerica1967us You are so damn right about that.
57highland 7 months ago in playlist Comedy/Variety 2
That was excellent. We miss ya Frank.
1madDogz 7 months ago
Rich Little has nothing on Gorshin. Gorshin was the better
serpico56 7 months ago
his standup in vegas was really blue stuff... and hilarious.
mediawest 7 months ago
After those flawless impressions watch how he changes to the riddler for the song and dance number. His voice changes yet again and his body language too.
Its all flawless, this must have taken immesnse amounts of practice and self discipline and oh yeah, pure talent.
Frank was somewhere between perfect and great. Tnaks for all the great memories Frank. RIP
Airbag2002 8 months ago 19
This has been flagged as spam show
A VERY talented guy!!!
doglips1958 8 months ago
Where do you people get this stuff? :)
Grouchomx 8 months ago
Comment removed
yared94 9 months ago
Frank Gorshin was, is, and ever shall be-
Awesome.
bvonbaron 9 months ago 32
Doesn't Frank Gorshin sound like Gene Wilder?
shermanvermin76 9 months ago
So this is the reason why they chose Carrey to play the Riddler.
MrCrazyguy145 9 months ago
@MrCrazyguy145 I think Carry over did it.
PremiumBlank 7 months ago
If memory serves he was on an episode of Charlies Angels where he played a criminal with multiple personalities. He was really cool.
ratbasket 9 months ago
Wow! His Kirk Douglas impersonation is spot on!
keysersoze78 10 months ago
I watched the movie ELMER GANTRY starring Burt Lancaster yesterday and Frank's impersonation is spot on!
NoirFan01 10 months ago
genius
batleth69 10 months ago
what a talent
soulstice99 10 months ago
Frank Gorshin is a comedy God! Not just from being a brilliant impressionist, but also being able to do this whole perfomance in one take and end with a musical/dance routine too? They really don't make performers like this anymore
RicardosRealm 11 months ago
This guy is just amazing!!!!!!!
1962mrwoody 11 months ago
hes my favourite impersonator of all time .......
jackiemaree1 11 months ago
Mr. Frank Gorshin was The Riddler in the Pilot Episode of the 1966 Batman series With Jill Saint John as Molly .
maintech777 1 year ago 7
@maintech777 He WAS?!> ;)
ToonORama 1 year ago 7
@maintech777 Thank you, Captain Obvious.
castletriglav 6 months ago
@maintech777 He played the Riddler in 10 episodes of batman & in the movie
Rick6315 4 months ago