WRITER JIM BEARD TALKS ANOTHER
CHALLENGE FOR THE GREEN HORNET

You thought it was the end of the podcast, but then writer Jim Beard presents another challenge for the Green Hornet, his aide Kato and their rolling arsenal the Black Beauty.  John and Jim sit down to discuss Jim's Green Hornet novella from Moonstone Press, "How Sweet the Sting".  They discuss the challenges and fun moments in writing the book, the unique vision Moonstone Publishing has for the character and Jim's preoccupation with the military in his writing.

Get your copy by ordering from Moonstone Press.

​Take a listen and then let us know what you think of the episode by writing us here or at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"HORNET, SAVE THYSELF"

AIRED: MARCH 3, 1967

Britt is accused of murder after he kills a former employee in a room full of witnesses.  Now, he must break ranks with Scanlon and go rogue as the Hornet in order to prove his innocence.    John and Jim use this episode as an example of a point they've been making since the very beginning of the podcast, the missed potential in only making these episodes thirty minutes in length.  Despite this, one of the two ranks this episode as one of the best in the series, plus Jim does a wicked impression of Roger Corby from Star Trek.  

The Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics and Television by Martin Grams and Terry Salomonson is a reference work we're consulting as we move through the series.  Pick up your copy by clicking on the link and getting it today.

Take a listen and then let us know what you think of the episode by writing us here or at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"ALIAS, THE SCARF"

AIRED: FEBRUARY 24, 1967

The Hornet takes on a killer from the past come back to life.  In another unusual story that didn't fall under the Hornet's usual MO of operations, we're given the series first true rogue.  Does The Scarf live up to the potential the story sets up?  How does he compare with other figures who appear from the past in series such as The Flash and Batman: The Animated Series?  What is it with Casey that her use in the series is so uneven? And what gets Jim and John all excited about Kato in this episode?    

The Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics and Television by Martin Grams and Terry Salomonson is a reference work we're consulting as we move through the series.  Pick up your copy by clicking on the link and getting it today.

Take a listen and then let us know what you think of the episode by writing us here or at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"CORPSE OF THE YEAR"

AIRED: JANUARY 13 & 27, 1967

A two-part story brings us a cast of characters and a murder mystery where the Hornet is the prime suspect.  This story has a lot going for it, but it also has a number of clumsy elements including a duplicate Hornet and Black Beauty which appears to have no real purpose to the plot other than it looks cool.  John and Jim are pretty much on the same page when it comes to this story and John is happy to see, albeit briefly, actress Angelique Pettyjohn.

The Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics and Television by Martin Grams and Terry Salomonson is a reference work we're consulting as we move through the series.  Pick up your copy by clicking on the link and getting it today.

 Take a listen and then let us know what you think of the episode by writing us here or at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

A trio of Korean War vets hatch a plan to bust their sergeant out of prison with a stolen tank.  Will the Hornet be able to stop them in time? John and Jim are back with an episode that they are once again decided on.  They both agree the episode has merit, but one of them is overly enthused by the premise.  Also, they discuss the influences of the Batman series on The Green Hornet and the music of Billy May. 

The Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics and Television by Martin Grams and Terry Salomonson is a reference work we're consulting as we move through the series.  Pick up your copy by clicking on the link and getting it today. 

Take a listen and then let us know what you think of the episode by writing us here or at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

There's an arsonist on the loose in the city and the Hornet takes the case.  But Mike Axford has a former police investigator with a specialty in arson that he'd like to bring in.  He quickly learns that the man has more to prove than just the case.  John and Jim are at odds over the merits of this episode.  Take a listen and see 

​The Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics and Television by Martin Grams and Terry Salomonson is a reference work we're consulting as we move through the series.  Pick up your copy by clicking on the link and getting it today.

Take a listen and then let us know what you think of the episode by writing us here or at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

District Attorney Scanlon is running for re-election and it looks like it's going to be a rough one as his life is threatened.  The Hornet has to step in to investigate, but how does he do it without connecting himself to the DA?  This is an interesting episode of the series as it addresses a number of questions, the least of which is why should one elect someone who has failed time and again to catch public enemy number one, The Green Hornet?  

The Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics and Television by Martin Grams and Terry Salomonson is a reference work we're consulting as we move through the series.  Pick up your copy by clicking on the link and getting it today.

 Take a listen and then let us know what you think of the episode by writing us here or at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"FREEWAY TO DEATH"

AIRED: DECEMBER 16, 1966

The Hornet and Mike Axford teaming up?  How is this possible?  When Britt orders Mike to work with the Hornet in order to bring down a construction racket, Mike has his own ideas that could threaten his life.  John and Jim are in agreement that this is a "Must Watch" episode, but they're not entirely sure why.  Is it the appearance of Jeffrey Hunter?  Is it the Black Beauty versus three bulldozers?  Is it the Hornet Mortars?  Is it the Hornet and Mike working together?  Take a listen and maybe you can help them figure it out.  Also, the two take a moment to talk about the late Van William and his legacy of The Green Hornet.

The Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics and Television by Martin Grams and Terry Salomonson is a reference work we're consulting as we move through the series.  Pick up your copy by clicking on the link and getting it today.

 Take a listen and then let us know what you think of the episode by writing us here or at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

The Sally Bell returns to dock after having mysteriously disappeared.  There's only one survivor who is now injured thanks to a Hornet's Sting.  With the aid of a doctor, the Hornet tries to protect the man from his comrades who are all trying to discover the secret of the Sally Bell.  John and Jim are back to being at odds over the merits of this particular episode.  They do both agree though that the character of Honey Boy is absolutely useless.  Take a listen and let us know what you think.

​The Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics and Television by Martin Grams and Terry Salomonson is a reference work we're consulting as we move through the series.  Pick up your copy by clicking on the link and getting it today.

 Take a listen and then let us know what you think of the episode by writing us here or at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

John and Jim are back to being at odds with this episode.  Mike Axford is accused of a murder he didn't commit and the Hornet has to prove his innocence.  John found that the episode was slow to start, but picked up in pace greatly as it moved along.  Plus, it has another challenge for the Black Beauty and Kato gets to use the Hornet's Sting.

​The Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics and Television by Martin Grams and Terry Salomonson is a reference work we're consulting as we move through the series.  Pick up your copy by clicking on the link and getting it today.

ake a listen and then let us know what you think of the episode by writing us here or at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"THE PREYING MANTIS"

AIRED: NOVEMBER 18, 2016

It's another challenge for The Green Hornet, but for John and Jim, there's not much of a challenge in reviewing this episode.  Both are excited by this story that gives Bruce Lee a chance to stretch a little as the Hornet and Kato investigate a protection racket by a tong in Chinatown.  The thing is, there's more to the tong than simply an extortion racket.  There's a great deal to like about this fan favorite as the two discuss. Plus, there's some trivia on this episode from The Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics and Television by Martin Grams and Terry Salomonson, including Green Hornet creator George Trendle's dislike for this episode.  Pick up your copy by clicking on the link and getting it today.

 Take a listen and then let us know what you think of the episode by writing us here or at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"Beautiful Dreamer"

Aired: October 22 and 28, 1966

This story has a lot of things that make it stand out from the others in the series.  First, it's the first two-part episode for the series.  Second, it's co-written by Lorenzo Temple.  But the real question is - is there enough story here to warrant two parts?  John and Jim discuss this as well as Britt's "type" of woman in the series.  Take a listen and then let us know what you think of the episode by writing us here or at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

 This episode has something for everyone!  There are bootleggers for the Green Hornet and Kato to deal with!  There's a killer helicopter for the Black Beauty to tussle with!  And there's a new episode for John and Jim to review!  But are they in agreement again?  Take a listen and then let us know what you think of the episode by writing us here or at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"CRIME WAVE"

AIRED: SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

The Hornet investigates a series of crimes that were predicted by a super computer.  Are they connected?

This is another of the high concept episodes that Jim likes to see on The Green Hornet, but even he admits this one has its faults.  How close are the two to agreeing on this one?   Let us know what you think of the episode by writing us here or at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"Programmed for Death"

Aired: September 23, 2016

A group of underworld leaders are planning something big and it's up to the Hornet and Kato to stop it.  The two are drawn into the group's scheme when a Sentinel reporter is killed by a leopard in the Sentinel newsroom.

John and Jim are at odds with how good this episode is.  Jim feels it shows the program's true potential by showing off such high concepts, but John is not as impressed.  Let us know what you think of the episode by writing us here or at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"GIVE EM ENOUGH ROPE"

AIRED: SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

An insurance racket has been operating in the city.  The Hornet looks into the operation when an informant of Mike Axford's is killed as he's about to speak with Axford.  Not only does the Hornet have a lot to deal with in this episode, but so does Britt as he must deal with the lawyer of the man Axford accuses in the pages of the Sentinel of running the insurance ring.

John and Jim have a lot to discuss what with the lame method of roping and killing the intended victims of the racketeers, the ethics of Britt having lunch with the lawyer of the alleged racketeer, and the fact that Miss Case has not been used to her full potential yet.  Let us know what you think of the episode by writing us here or at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

A new weapon that can be fired silently has fallen into the hands of one of the city's most powerful gangsters and it's up to the Green Hornet and Kato to retrieve it before things get out of control.  John is joined on this new 50th anniversary podcast celebration by Gotham City 14 Miles editor Jim Beard.  Together, they discuss how this didn't feel like the first episode shot and the similarities the show has to Batman.  They are split though on how good the episode is.  Take a listen and find out how it fares with the two.