Batman, Robin, Yvonne Craig as Batgirl and Julie Newmar as Catwoman
Sunday, 8. April 2007, 14:11:24
SOME SELECTED TRIVIA ABOUT THE 1966 TO 1968 BATMAN TV SERIES STARRING ADAM WEST AND BURT WARD
Batman creator Bob Kane noted that this series saved the Batman comic series from cancellation when the show revived the character's popularity. Despite this, most comic fans despised this series for stereotyping superheroes and comics as campy nonsense. Furthermore, soon after the show was canceled, the character's comic series took on a dark and deadly serious tone that was reminiscent of the original comics in the late 1930's as a reaction to the TV show's light touch.
84 different word overlays were used during the fight scenes from "Bam" to "Kapow".
When the series premiered, Alfred had been "killed off" a few years earlier in the comic book series. However, when the producers announced that they intended to make Alfred a regular character, he was brought back to life in the comic book as well.
Mary Ann Mobley was the first choice to play Batgirl. Originally, the character was to have her own TV series which would lead-in to Batman each week.
Each main villain had their own theme music.
A Total of 352 "Holy" words were used by Robin from "Holy Agility" to "Holy Zorro".
In the first season, Burt Ward (Robin) was paid $350 per week.
Aunt Harriet was written into the series to counter the rumors that Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson were gay. The producers felt that a female aunt would "round out" Wayne Manor.
The character of Batgirl was created for the television series and was written into the Batman comic books. However, there was another Bat-Girl that was created in the early 1960's who looked totally different with a different secret identity (Betty Kane). She also was the niece of Batwoman (Kathy Kane).
Eartha Kitt took over the role of Catwoman in the final season because Julie Newmar was busy filming Mackenna's Gold (1969).
Before going on the air, this show received the worst audience test scores in the history of ABC. It only went on the air because so much money had already been invested in it.
The Riddler was just a minor and forgettable villain in the comics. This series is responsible for turning him into one of the most popular villains in Batman's rogues gallery.
Because of a contract dispute, Frank Gorshin missed one episode and was replaced by John Astin. Also, the episode featuring the villain "The Puzzler" was originally written to feature The Riddler. Gorshin did return for one episode in the final season.
The National Safety Council brought up the safety issue in the Batmobile. They wanted to know why the Batmobile was not fitted with seat belts. The producers answered that question by having Batman and Robin "buckling up" before they tore out of the Batcave.
The Batmobile turntable in the Batcave was not powered, as watching the show would have you believe. It did rotate, but only with the help of six crewmen out of camera range. They pushed the car around 180 degrees on the platform. As with most of the effects, they only had to shoot the scene one time then added it where needed.
This was one of the "in" shows to appear on if you were a big name in Hollywood during the 1960's, and many top names guested on the show, including many who didn't do much TV otherwise. Those performers who weren't cast as guest villains could frequently be seen popping their heads out of windows to exchange a few words with Batman and Robin when the latter would be climbing up a building wall. Frank Sinatra, Natalie Wood, and Cary Grant were all fans of the show, and wanted to be on it, but the producers were never able to come up with the right roles for any of them.
Of all the villains portrayed on the television series, Mr. Freeze had the most actors portraying him: George Sanders, Otto Preminger and Eli Wallach. Catwoman had 3 actresses as well - Julie Newmar, Eartha Kitt, and Lee Meriwether.
A nonsmoker in real life, Burgess Meredith came up with the Penguin's distinctive squawking sound because the cigarettes were irritating his throat.
Originally conceived by ABC as a serious dramatic show, at one point Mike Henry (best known as one of many actors to play Tarzan) did publicity photographs in the role. According to Adam West, a nervous ABC required the producers to hold test screenings of the show, one with a laugh track added, the other with additional narration. Neither alteration was successful.
Source; http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059968/
Batman creator Bob Kane noted that this series saved the Batman comic series from cancellation when the show revived the character's popularity. Despite this, most comic fans despised this series for stereotyping superheroes and comics as campy nonsense. Furthermore, soon after the show was canceled, the character's comic series took on a dark and deadly serious tone that was reminiscent of the original comics in the late 1930's as a reaction to the TV show's light touch.84 different word overlays were used during the fight scenes from "Bam" to "Kapow".
When the series premiered, Alfred had been "killed off" a few years earlier in the comic book series. However, when the producers announced that they intended to make Alfred a regular character, he was brought back to life in the comic book as well.
Mary Ann Mobley was the first choice to play Batgirl. Originally, the character was to have her own TV series which would lead-in to Batman each week.
Each main villain had their own theme music.
A Total of 352 "Holy" words were used by Robin from "Holy Agility" to "Holy Zorro".
In the first season, Burt Ward (Robin) was paid $350 per week.
Aunt Harriet was written into the series to counter the rumors that Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson were gay. The producers felt that a female aunt would "round out" Wayne Manor.
The character of Batgirl was created for the television series and was written into the Batman comic books. However, there was another Bat-Girl that was created in the early 1960's who looked totally different with a different secret identity (Betty Kane). She also was the niece of Batwoman (Kathy Kane).
Eartha Kitt took over the role of Catwoman in the final season because Julie Newmar was busy filming Mackenna's Gold (1969).
Before going on the air, this show received the worst audience test scores in the history of ABC. It only went on the air because so much money had already been invested in it.
The Riddler was just a minor and forgettable villain in the comics. This series is responsible for turning him into one of the most popular villains in Batman's rogues gallery.
Because of a contract dispute, Frank Gorshin missed one episode and was replaced by John Astin. Also, the episode featuring the villain "The Puzzler" was originally written to feature The Riddler. Gorshin did return for one episode in the final season.
The National Safety Council brought up the safety issue in the Batmobile. They wanted to know why the Batmobile was not fitted with seat belts. The producers answered that question by having Batman and Robin "buckling up" before they tore out of the Batcave.
The Batmobile turntable in the Batcave was not powered, as watching the show would have you believe. It did rotate, but only with the help of six crewmen out of camera range. They pushed the car around 180 degrees on the platform. As with most of the effects, they only had to shoot the scene one time then added it where needed.
This was one of the "in" shows to appear on if you were a big name in Hollywood during the 1960's, and many top names guested on the show, including many who didn't do much TV otherwise. Those performers who weren't cast as guest villains could frequently be seen popping their heads out of windows to exchange a few words with Batman and Robin when the latter would be climbing up a building wall. Frank Sinatra, Natalie Wood, and Cary Grant were all fans of the show, and wanted to be on it, but the producers were never able to come up with the right roles for any of them.
Of all the villains portrayed on the television series, Mr. Freeze had the most actors portraying him: George Sanders, Otto Preminger and Eli Wallach. Catwoman had 3 actresses as well - Julie Newmar, Eartha Kitt, and Lee Meriwether.
A nonsmoker in real life, Burgess Meredith came up with the Penguin's distinctive squawking sound because the cigarettes were irritating his throat.
Originally conceived by ABC as a serious dramatic show, at one point Mike Henry (best known as one of many actors to play Tarzan) did publicity photographs in the role. According to Adam West, a nervous ABC required the producers to hold test screenings of the show, one with a laugh track added, the other with additional narration. Neither alteration was successful.
Source; http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059968/
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