The World's Finest Presents
Episode #065 - The Worry Men
Original Airdate - September 16th, 1993

Wealthy socialite Veronica Vreeland returns from Central America bringing tiny handmade dolls for all her friends. According to native legend, once placed under a pillow the dolls do the sleeper's worrying for them. Unknown to Veronica or her guests, each of the dolls contains a tiny microchip which plants hypnotic suggestions inside the sleepers' brains, even Bruce's. 

Media by Bird Boy
Review by Robin III
Credits
Written by Paul Dini
Directed by Frank Paur
Music Composed by Lolita Ritmanis
Animation by Dong Yang Animation Co., LTD.

Voices
Kevin Conroy as Batman
Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Alfred
Levar Burton as Hayden Sloane
Marilu Henner as Veronica
Vernee Watson-Johnson as Dana Blessing
Roddy McDowall as Mad Hatter
Roger Rose as Jaguar Shaman

Screen Grabs







Pans


Quotes
VERONICA: If ever someone led a worry-free life, it's you, Bruce Wayne.
--
BRUCE: Tell me, Alfred. What's an ancient Mayan Witch Doctor doing on a Gotham City skyscraper?
ALFRED: This isn't one of those Riddler questions, is it?
--
VERONICA ATTACKS THE MAYAN WITH HER PURSE IN BATMAN'S DEFENSE.
VERONICA: Leave him alone, you swine!
THE MAYAN TURNS AROUND BRANDISHING HIS KNIFE. HE ISN'T HAPPY.
VERONICA: Please?
--
BATMAN: Wait! These dolls. . . Where did you get them?
VERONICA: From a craftsman at a small village. A funny little man in a giant straw hat.
BATMAN: An Englishman?
VERONICA: Why, yes!
BATMAN: And he suggested giving the dolls to your society friends?
VERONICA: What, are you psychic, too?
BATMAN: Just picking up on the pattern.
--
HATTER: Actually, Batman, you'll be happy to know you're witnessing my retirement from crime. See, after my recent release from Arkham, I vowed to leave Gotham and my wicked ways behind me. Perhaps, buy a little island somewhere and open a sunbonnet shop. But islands, even little ones, cost money. Lots of money. And then, I heard of Ms. Vreeland's well publicized trek into the rain forest! Yes. I realized at once she'd be the perfect unwitting partner in my scheme.
--
HATTER: As the great Lewis Carroll said: "One, two, one, two, and through and through the vorpal blade went snicker-snack. He left it dead, and with its head, he went galumphing back!"


Review: This was a terrific episode, story wise, using a real item like a worry man to cause a crime. The appearance by the Mad Hatter at the end was also a surprise due to the throw off of Batman commenting on a 'new gang'. It eventually became obvious, but at first there was no idea. The scene with the guillotine and Hatter quoting Carroll was brilliant as well; one of the memorable moments of the series.

The animation lacked slightly with mild bubbly characters such as Veronica Vreeland. Hatter was extremely well done why explaining his idea of a sunbonnet shop though, with surprisingly smooth animation. If a sharper drawing style was used, this episode would have been classic.

The addition of the Mayan gang and the other Bat-villains attacking as marionettes was smart as well because Hatter isn't a physical character. They managed to incorporate fighting while keeping the Hatter present. It was also neat to see Joker, Harley, Riddler, Penguin, Catwoman, Freeze, Two-Face, Scarecrow and Clayface in the fore and background. There was even an appearance by the 60's Riddler!

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