Holy TV History, Batman! This is a Dynamic Duo flashback to the fun of the Batman tv series. I was six years old when the Batman tv show was first aired on January 12, 1966. At that tender age, I thought Batman was just the greatest show in the world. I even requested a Batman costume for Halloween. My mom tried to talk me into something else--- a princess costume like I had worn the year before was one of her suggestions. I was adamant. I wanted to go trick-or-treating dressed as Batman. My mother acquiesced and sewed a wonderful costume for me complete with yellow utility belt and shiny black cape and cowl. I think it was the best Halloween costume I ever had. It is certainly the one I remember the most. The Batman show was unlike any other at the time. The comic book heroes, villains, and gadgets appealed to the younger viewers while the tongue-in-cheek humor and big name guest stars kept parents coming back to watch as well. Batman aired twice a week for two years, and then was scaled back to once a week for a third year before it was taken off the air. Here is a list of just a few of the things about the show that made it great.
Also known as Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson of Wayne Manor, Batman and Robin (portrayed by Adam West and Burt Ward) were the famous crimefighters of Gotham City. There was no villain that could win out against their clever, logical reasoning powers and their seemingly endless arsenal of gadgets and gizmos.
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The Villains
The writers of the Batman show must have worked overtime when creating the numerous villains for this show. Each villain was unique with talents and gadgets of his own. Some of my favorites were the Joker, the Penguin, King Tut, the Riddler, Mr. Freeze, Egghead, and Cat Woman. Cesar Romero, Julie Newmar, Burgess Meredith, Vincent Price, Milton Berle, Victor Buono, Shelly Winters, and Frank Gorshin were just of a few of the big name stars that were cast as villains on the show.
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Alfred the Butler
Alfred could always be counted on in a pinch. Bruce Wayne's trusted butler was the only one who was aware of Bruce and Dick's secret identities as Batman and Robin.
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Aunt Harriet Cooper
Aunt Harriet was the lovable, albeit somewhat befuddled, aunt of Bruce Wayne. Somehow she was oblivious to the fact that she was living above the Bat Cave and that Bruce and Dick were actually the real-life heroes of Gotham City, Batman and Robin.
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Commissioner Gordon
The Commissioner, along with the help of Police Chief O'Hara, was the one in charge of contacting Batman when he was needed. They had the handy dandy direct line to the caped crusaders at Wayne Manor via the red batphone. Or if the Dynamic Duo happened to be out cruising about Gotham City in the batmobile, they could use the bat signal searchlight in the sky to summon them when a villain was running amuck in their fair city.
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Bat Phone
This was the quickest way to contact Batman--a direct line from the Commissioner's office.
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Bat Signal
This was the searchlight in the sky with the batman silhouetted shadow in the center that could be seen all over Gotham City.
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Bat Cave
The bat cave was Batman and Robin's secret hideaway lab under stately Wayne Manor. Access to the cave was via a slide down the bat poles (one for Batman, one for Robin, and each neatly labelled with signs reading "Dick" and "Bruce," presumably, so they wouldn't get confused and slide down the wrong one). Bruce, Dick, and Alfred were the only ones who were aware of the existence of the poles which could be found behind the sliding bookcase wall operated by a button hidden in a bust statue. The only other way into the cave was via a secret, hidden, roadblocked dirt road that led to the entrance of the cave that they used when in the batmobile.
One of the coolest cars ever, the batmobile was loaded with special equipment to assist Batman in his crimefighting chores.
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BIF! POW! ZOWIE! CRUNCH!
The fight scene sounds that flashed across the tv screen in comic book styled balloons was one of the show's signature elements. No fight scene between the caped crusaders and a villain and his henchmen was complete without them.
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The Bat Climb
Another feature of the show was the bat climb which showed Batman and Robin holding onto a rope climbing either up or down the side of a building. This was another handy way for the producer to add cameo guest stars to the show. Jerry Lewis, Dick Clark, Sammy Davis, Jr., Art Linkletter, and Edward G. Robinson were a few of the big name stars who popped out of the windows to talk with the Dynamic Duo during a climb.
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Batusi
For those who have never experienced the Batman tv series, here's a sample to show you what you missed. If you pay attention, you will see Batman dance his signature dance, the Batusi.
Yeah, Hollywood Cyn, Batman always did have that kind of love/hate relationship thing going on with Catwoman. I guess it was Robin's turn in that episode! lol Thanks for stopping by my list. :)
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