In honor of Batman‘s 75th Anniversary we continue to look back at the more memorable moments of the 1966 Batman TV-series starring Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin. Based on an adventure in Batman #113, False Face (the uncredited Malachi Throne) would make his only appearance in the show in the two-parter “True or False Face” and “Holy Rat Race.” After stealing the Mergenberg Crown the master of disguise attempts an armored car heist, prepares to replace millions with conterfeit money, and lures the Dynamic Duo into a death trap in the Gotham City subway. Along the way False Face will take on several temporary personas including impersonating both Chief O’Hara (Stafford Repp) and Commissioner Gordon (Neil Hamilton).
A bit like the Ridddler, False Face leaves clues to his crimes for Batman and Robin where the meaning is always the opposite of what is stated. Despite the limitations of the mask, which give the character a far creepier look than most of the costumed villains on the show, False Face is an intriguing adversary that stays one-step ahead of the Caped Crusaders for most of the episodes. Because of his odd look, his ability to impersonate anyone, and his single appearance of the show that leaves the audience wanting more, False Face remains one of the show’s more intriguing villains. Eventually done in by his own tricks and his assistant Blaze (Myrna Fahey) whose crush on Batman causes her to switch sides, False Face is eventually brought to justice.
