Batman aka Batman: The Movie (1966) Starring Adam West, Burt Ward, Lee Meriwether, Cesar Romero, Burgess Meredith, Frank Gorshin Directed by Leslie H. Martinson. Screenplay by Lorenzo Semple Jr. Based on characters created by Bob Kane (and Bill Finger). Produced by William Dozier. Run time: 104 minutes Color USA Superhero, Comedy
Feature films based on TV series were something new back in
1966 when Batman was released in theaters. The TV series, from 20th Century Fox, debuted on ABC on January
12, 1966. The series followed a single
storyline spread out over two nights each week. The show would end on a
cliffhanger on Wednesday nights with its conclusion on Thursday nights.
Building off the 1943 serial produced by Columbia Pictures, for which critic
Susan Sontag extolled “the vulgar and laughable (shining) in exact proportion
to its unconvincingness,” the TV series presented a very different version of
Batman than we’ve come to expect from more recent film portrayals, camp.
Producer William Dozier quickly came to realize its
commercial possibilities, and infused the series with the “pop art technique of
the exaggerated cliché,” hoping to broaden its appeal to both adults and
children. The show proved to be very popular and $50 million (equivalent to $466,661,950
in 2023) in Batman merchandising had saturated the market. Deciding to
capitalize while public interest was at its peak, it was announced that a
feature film would start filming on April 18, 1966 with Burgess Meredith as
“The Penguin,” Cesar Romero as “The Joker,” Frank Gorshin as “The Riddler,” and
Julie Newmar as “Catwoman,” each reprising their roles from the series.
However, a back injury forced Newmar to withdraw and she was replaced by Lee
Meriwether, Miss America 1955.
Filming was postponed until April 28, 1966 and was completed in twenty-six days, with an additional six days for second-unit photography. Filming locations included Stearn's Wharf, Santa Barbara, California; Cliffs, Marineland of the Pacific - 6610 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes; Kirkeby Center - 10889 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood, Los Angeles; Van Nuys Airport - 16461 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, Los Angeles; and Bronson Caves, Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles. The film opened on July 30, 1966, roughly a little more than two months after the last episode of season one aired on May 5, 1966.
