Where It All Started
The series was originally meant to be a cool crime series similar to ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E.’ However when ABC executives read the original Batman comics they realized the show had to have that campy humor too.
Where It All Started
A Stylish Ride
One of the most iconic elements of the show was the Batmobile. The original car that was used was a Lincoln Futura which was modified to look the part. The original Batmobile was later auctioned for $4.2 million in 2013.
A Stylish Ride
The Dynamic Duo
Two separate screen tests were held to find the perfect duo. One was with Burt Ward and Adam West and the other with Peter Deyell and Lyle Waggoner. After seeing both the producers were convinced that West and Ward were the perfect duo.
The Dynamic Duo
Low Scoring Test Screenings
Average scores for pilots ranged between 60 and 70, but “Batman’s” pilot scored in the 40s, which was the lowest score in the history of pilots. Adjustments were made to improve the scores but they remained low after being retested.
Low Scoring Test Screenings
The “Batman” Movie
The first full-length “Batman” movie was released the same year that the series debuted. It starred almost all the regulars from the series. Batman was played by Adam West, Robin was played by Burt Ward, and The Joker was played by Cesar Romero.
The “Batman” Movie
Co-Stars Were Not Paid Equally
The series consisted of 34 episodes each season. Both Batman and Robin appeared in every episode, which meant they both worked equally as hard, however, Ward was paid less than West. Ward was quite upset when he found out he was being short-changed.
Co-Stars Were Not Paid Equally
Resurrected Characters
A few months before the show premiered, Alfred the Butler’s character had been killed off in the comics. When the producers revealed that they were including Aunt Harriet and the Butler in the show, they resurrected him for the comics.
Resurrected Characters
The Villains
The villains on the show were pretty much the real scene stealers. Whenever the viewer was taken into a villain’s lair, the camera angles changed, it became angled or crooked. Apparently, this was to depict the villain’s crooked nature.
The Villains
The Penguin and The Joker
These two are Batman’s primary villains and they appear in almost every episode. The Joker, however, appears in a few more than the Penguin. Out of each season’s 34 episodes, The Joker appears in 22 and the Penguin in 19.
The Penguin And The Joker
The Funny Man Himself
The iconic role of the Joker was played by Cesar Romero. The first time Romero saw his costume he let out a maniacal laugh and it stuck as his signature laugh for the show. Apparently, Frank Sinatra wanted to play the role of Joker.
The Funny Man Himself
Catwoman
Three different actresses played the role of Catwoman throughout the seasons. In season one, Julie Newmar played the feline villainess. Eartha Kitt played the role for the remainder of the series. In 1966, Lee Meriwether played the role in the spin-off movie.
Catwoman
Breaking Barriers
In the 60s African-American women were not predominantly featured on mainstream television. But after Eartha Kitt appeared in season two and three of the Batman series, she became the second-ever African-American woman to be featured on television in the US.
Breaking Barriers
Casting Hiccups For The Penguin Role
Mickey Rooney was originally meant to play the role of the Penguin. Spencer Tracey had also auditioned for the part but only wanted it if his character got to kill Batman on the show. But that’s not how a superhero story goes.
Casting Hiccups For The Penguin Role
The Right Man For The Part
Burgess Meredith was perfect for the part. He smoked cigarettes for many years, and that contributed to his familiar cackle. Even though he’d quit years before the show aired, he had that hoarse texture to his voice that was fitting for the part.
The Right Man For The Part
Gadgets Fit For A Superhero
The show was memorable because of the crazy and inventive gadgets that Batman used. And obviously, they all had the word ‘bat’ in the name. The ‘bulletproof bat shield’ and the ‘brainwave bat analyzer’ are some examples of Batman’s gadgets.
Gadgets Fit For A Superhero
Interesting Costumes
Throughout the years Batman’s costumes have become pretty slick. However, the original costumes from the 60s series were not so cool at all, but rather quite silly. The biggest problem was that they were very tight fitting causing a bit of controversy.
Interesting Costumes
Climbing To Stardom
The show was so popular that many Hollywood celebrities wanted a role. In order to cast more famous actors, they created the wall climbing skit, where Batman and Robin scale a building and these celebrities would pop their heads out of the windows.
Climbing To Stardom
Can You Solve The Riddle?
The role of the Riddler was played by Frank Gorshin. He was an absolute audience favorite and was nominated for an Emmy Award for his performance in the Batman series. He was nominated for Best Supporting Character in a Comedic Role.
Can You Solve The Riddle?
Riddles Galore
Frank Gorshin was the Riddler in season one and three and in the 1966 movie, but John Astin played the role of the Riddler in season two. He was an Oscar-nominated actor better known for his role as Gomez Adams in The Addams Family.
Riddles Galore
Mr. Freezes Through The Seasons
Mr. Freezes, also known as Dr. Schimmel, wasn’t featured very often throughout all three seasons. In season one George Sanders played the role, but in season two and three, the role was played by Eli Wallach and Otto Preminger.
Mr. Freezes Through The Seasons
New Characters
A new character was introduced in season three, and this time it was a female superhero. Batgirl was Commissioner Gordon’s daughter. She had taken on the role of the female caped crusader that helped Batman and Robin fight if they needed help.
New Characters
Robin’s Quirky Sayings
Robin was famous for his quirky sayings on the show. His quips always began with “Holy” and mostly ended with “Batman!” Some of them were quite creative. He would say things like “Holy Haberdashery,” “Holy Schizophrenia,” “Holy Ravioli,” or “Holy Jack-In-A-Box.”
Robin’s Quirky Sayings
Adam West As 007
West was in high demand at the time and in 1969, he was offered the role of James Bond in the film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” He felt that the role was better suited for a British actor so he turned it down.
Adam West As 007
The Bat Cave
The Branson Cavern in Hollywood Hills was where the Batcave was filmed. The opening was very small so the car had to exit really slowly. They had to use some camera trickery to make it look like the Batmobile was speeding out of the cave.
The Bat Cave
Batman The Salesman
The character of Batman was so popular that companies paid to use him in their advertisements. He was in a soap ad and a toothpaste ad as well. Batman also appeared in a few public announcements while the series was on the air.
Batman The Salesman
Kids, Don’t Try This At Home
There were a few instances where kids leaped from high places mimicking Batman. To prevent future instances, a message was shown before each episode where Batman and Robin explain how Batman can’t fly and they shouldn’t try any stunt at home.
Kids, Don’t Try This At Home
No More Batman
After the third season ended, ABC was hoping that another network would buy it and that there would be more seasons. For that reason, they held onto all the sets but after a while, they ended up destroying it.
No More Batman
Better Late Than Never
In 2016, 50 years after the series was canceled, the first Batman animated movie debuted. The original cast lent their voices to the movie titled “Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders” and its sequel the following year titled “Batman vs Two-Face.”
Better Late Than Never
Only One Cast Member Left
Out of the regular cast, Burt Ward is the only one still alive. Sadly, the actors that played Alfred Pennyworth, Commissioner James Gordon, Chief Miles O’Hara, Aunt Harriet Cooper, and Batgirl have all passed. Adam West recently passed away at the age of 88.
Only One Cast Member Left
Staying Alive
The show ended over 50 years ago but it is still very much alive through syndication. It has recently appeared on MeTV, TeleXitos, IFC. There have been many movies and television shows since the 1960s series but the original is still remembered fondly.
Staying Alive
Character Popularity
Before the television series, The Riddler didn’t feature in DC comics. It was all due to Frank Gorshin’s performance that gained popularity. The business suit with question marks on it was also his idea and it became his most identifiable look.
Character Popularity
From Hero To Freeze
Mr. Freeze was originally known as Mr. Zero before his appearance on the Batman series. But Mr. Zero didn’t sound nearly as cool as Mr. Freeze. Today he’s one of the most well-known villains in comics. Schwarzenegger played Mr. Freeze in Batman and Robin.
From Hero To Freeze
Gotham City Map
The “Giant Lighted Lucite Map Of Gotham City” which appears in many episodes is, in fact, a map of St. Louis, Missouri. It even includes several landmarks of the city like Tower Grove Park, Forest Park, and Lafayette Park.
Gotham City Map
Opening The Batcave
The door that led to the Batcave opened when Batman pressed a secret button on Shakespeare’s bust. That button didn’t actually open the door itself, but it was linked to a light backstage that alerted the stage crew to open the door.
Opening The Batcave
Robin And His Stunts
According to Burt Ward who played Robin, he did all his own stunts on the show and it caused many injuries. He claims he’s been struck by shrapnel, burned, and injured after being flung out of the Batmobile in one scene.
Robin And His Stunts
The Series Inspired Viewers
Even though the series was campy, it still inspired its viewers for many generations to come. In 1992 The Gray Ghost was featured on the Batman animated series. The Gray Ghost was Bruce Wayne’s childhood hero, which was on television years earlier.
The Series Inspired Viewers
Famous Hollywood Sets
The Batcave was filmed in a soundstage that was also the home of many well-known sets in Hollywood. The iconic wooden gates featured in the movie “King Kong” was also filmed there as well as Atlanta in “Gone With The Wind.”
Famous Hollywood Sets
Rumor About A New Character
There was a rumor that circulated for many years, that the producers of the Batman series wanted Senator Robert Kennedy to have a guest appearance on the show. His character would have been Attorney General. The rumor has never been confirmed or denied.
Rumor About A New Character
First Live Comic Crossover
The Batman series was possibly the first-ever superhero series that had a live-action comic book crossover. Long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Green Hornet and Kato appeared in an episode of the 1960s Batman series to help Batman and Robin.
First Live Comic Crossover
Catwoman’s Henchwoman
Lesley Gore was a singer who became famous for her song “It’s My Party.” but she wasn’t just a singer, she was also an actress who featured in two episodes of Batman as one of Catwoman’s henchwomen and as Robin’s love interest.
Catwoman’s Henchwoman
Saving The Comic Book
The Batman comic book was about to be canceled when the television series debuted. The success of the series ended up saving the comic book. Sales were slumping before the series aired and then the show gave it the boost it needed.
Saving The Comic Book
Who’s Batman?
Alan Napier was cast as Alfred the Butler but he had no idea who Batman was. He had never heard of the caped crusader before the show began filming and didn’t know that his performance would be responsible for reviving a comic book character.
Who’s Batman?
Aunt Harriet
There was an urban myth circulating that the producers brought in the character of Aunt Harriet as a means to fend off viewers’s misconstrued perceptions that Batman and Robin were in a romantic relationship. Aunt Harriet was played by Madge Blake.
Aunt Harriet
A Costume Problem
In the 60s there were many religious and conservative organizations that had an issue with Batman and Robin’s costume. They complained about it being too revealing. The producers had to find different methods to prevent the crotch area from being too exposed.
A Costume Problem
Different Vehicles Were Used
Throughout its series run, several vehicles were used as the Batmobile. In fact, they used five different cars to be exact. The team that was tasked with customizing the cars was truly very talented and was able to create what the producers wanted.
Different Vehicles Were Used
Was Catwoman A Mistake?
Many critics say that the series was doing really well until Catwoman was introduced as a new character. Some even say that if she hadn’t been part of the show the series would have run for many more seasons.
Was Catwoman A Mistake?
Quarterback To Batman
When producer Ed Graham was deciding who to cast for the role of Batman, Adam West was not his first choice. Graham has initially enlisted Mike Henry to play the lead role but he opted to play Tarzan instead.
Quarterback To Batman
Hugh Hefner A Batman Fan
It turns out that Hugh Hefner was a huge fan of the Batman series. So much so that in the summer of 1965 Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Club in Chicago screened episodes of the series to an audience full of college students.
Hugh Hefner A Batman Fan
Anyone For Nesquik?
Before being cast as Batman, Adam West used to do television commercials, including one for Nesquik. That’s how Dozier spotted him and he immediately thought West would be great for the part. After only two screen tests seen by ABC executives, West was he chosen for the part.
Anyone For Nesquik?
The Right Sidekick
Burt Ward had never starred in a movie or television series. He auditioned for the role of Robin when he read that the character was a superhero’s sidekick because he had experience in Judo. They were impressed and that’s why he landed the part.
The Right Sidekick
The Cost of The Batmobile
George Morris, a car customizer bought the original Batmobile for $1 from Ford. Lincoln had built the Futura as a concept car and it sat in his property for years. When Fox contacted him he sold it to them thinking it would bring him some publicity.
The Cost Of The Batmobile
Clipping His Ears
When Adam West was given a different Batman costume for his screen test. That costume’s ears on the cowl protruded quite a bit so designers had to clip the ears so they wouldn’t be cut off during close-up shots.
Clipping His Ears
Burt Ward Vs. Bruce Lee
Burt Ward fancied himself as a martial arts expert and had bragged that he’d once sparred with Bruce Lee. When Bruce appeared on set as a guest appearance as The Green Hornet, Burt was visibly scared according to West in his autobiography.
Burt Ward Vs. Bruce Lee
An Almost Fourth Season
Rating for the series starting plummeting a year after its debut so the producers received a cancellation notice from ABC. after some time, NBC was interested in buying it but when they found out that the sets had been destroyed they pulled out.
An Almost Fourth Season
A Real-Life Hero
After the show had ended, Adam West was in Maui for a celebrity tennis tournament. He was on the beach when he noticed something sinister. A man carrying a machete was approaching a couple and he fought the man until the authorities arrived.
A Real Life Hero
The Original Duo Reunited Again
In 1979 West and Ward were reunited as Batman and Robin in a low-rent one-hour special featuring DC heroes aired by NBC. These two one-hour specials were produced by animation studio Hanna-Barbera that was called “Legends of the Superheroes.”
The Original Duo Reunited Again
The “Bat Cut”
In 1966 an article on Life magazine revealed how Detroit-born hair stylist Vidal Sassoon had invented the “Bat Cut” for Batman fans. To create the Bat Cut, he would shave a woman’s eyebrows and trim her bangs to look like Batman’s cowl.
The “Bat Cut”
The Secret To Its Success
Julie Newmar, who played Catwoman, believes that the reason the show was a success was that they played it straight. She recalls how the head producer used to tell them to play it straight because the straighter they played it the funnier it was.
The Secret To Its Success
The “Batusi”
There was a scene in the first-ever episode where the Caped Crusader’s drink is spiked by the Riddler and starts dancing with no inhibitions. His dance moves have been called the “Batusi.” It had become one of the most iconic scenes of the series.
The “Batusi”
