Riddler parking lot scene comparison - HI DIDDLE RIDDLE vs A RIDDLE A DAY

[bat-rss]

On our Patreon show BAT BITS recently, we discussed whether the parking lots shown in the first and second Riddler arcs are the same location or not.

On the one hand, the shape of the hole in the ground that Riddler pops out of is different -- in the pilot, it's a rectangular trap door, but in A RIDDLE A DAY it's a regular round manhole.

On the other hand, note the similarity of the wall in both scenes. Very similar texture, and the word "PARKING" on both. In that way, it seems to be the same location.

Swapping out a rectangular trap door for a round manhole doesn't sound like the easiest thing in the world to do, regardless of whether this was an actual parking lot or some kind of location made specifically for shooting scenes on. But I suggest to you that they are two separate holes. Notice that the round hole is right in front of the support beam, while the rectangular one is just to our right of the beam! I'm pretty strongly convinced that it's the same location.

[Scott Sebring]

It's the same parking lot on Fox used for both. Just a different arrangement and set dressing. Pretty much along the street and mainly in front of the Darryl F. Zanuck Theater by Stage 8.
I think it's the same hole and same spot. The round manhole looks more like it's surrounded by a square facade that is raised from the pavement outside of the closeups that avoid showing the edges of the facade. Everything else lines up between the painted "parking" sign , the electrical conduit that runs next to the "P" in "parking" and the column that is just behind and left of the hole in the ground. It doesn't look like it's directly in front any differently between the two episodes when watched at all given angles. Don't let the big shadow fool you.

A cropped blow up with a little AI cleaning and sharpening.

[chrisbcritter]

I see they parked that green Humber sedan in both scenes!

[Therin of Andor]

Being a green vehicle in both episodes, maybe it's Riddler's Riddlermobile?

[Yellow Oval]

I remember watching the prime-time broadcast of 'A Riddle A Day' back when I was a schnick and the Riddler scared the living beejesus outta me when his head popped out of the manhole in the distance. A lot of my friends found the Joker scarier what with Cesar's brilliant maniacal eyes, smile, and laughter, but as I always liked clowns, Coulrophobia was never a thing with me. Franks' Riddler, on the other hand, was the one that terrified me with his unpredictable temperament, goofy laugh, and especially when filmed at a certain angle wearing the mask and you couldn't see his eyes. I think all of us can say that certain characters, their traits, and the way they were filmed at a time when it was all new TV tech really had effects on us viewers.

[bat-rss]

Yyyyeah, Scott, you may be right about the facade. I think I can see a bit of the edge of it to the lower right in this shot. Or, are you suggesting that the closeups were shot elsewhere?

Closeup from "A Riddle a Day"

Chris, good catch on the parked car!

[bat-rss]

Yellow Oval, interesting about the Riddler being scary. I don't recall any villain particularly scaring me, but Mad Hatter dumping plaster on Batman had me really afraid for Batman!

I would guess the villain who scared the most kids was False Face?

[Jimmy L. 66]

Yyyyeah, Scott, you may be right about the facade. I think I can see a bit of the edge of it to the lower right in this shot. Or, are you suggesting that the closeups were shot elsewhere?

No may be about it. He is right.
Scott, and Ben, have tons of location research under their respective utility belts. I wouldn’t doubt any info, especially with photos to back it up.
Keep the fun podcasts coming.

[Scott Sebring]

Or, are you suggesting that the closeups were shot elsewhere?

Nah. I think they shot it right there.