Post by Prime etc. on Jul 6, 2019 20:04:38 GMT
I never got to see the series until the late 80s or early 90s when some station finally ran them daily (same Bat Time, same Bat channel)-so I only had the movie to go by before that (and the two late 70s comedy roast shows which had West, Ward, and various others in a more overtly comical version--but as a kid that was better than nothing). There was also a commercial in which Batgirl lets Batman and Robin be blown up by a bomb--that was traumatic and confusing as a kid.
Perhaps Batman came too late-but there were later costumed hero shows so I think if they had been more serious-minded and not spoofing it could have lasted longer (but with a smaller audience).
William Dozier hated superheroes from what I read, he liked the Green Hornet better--but it lacked the villains and just wasn't as interesting a concept.
Batman is referenced a couple of times in the Harry Palmer film series--in FUNERAL IN BERLIN Michael Caine says he has his portable Batman suit (the military type is assumed) but in BILLION DOLLAR BRAIN there are pictures of Batman and Robin on his office wall.
Perhaps Batman came too late-but there were later costumed hero shows so I think if they had been more serious-minded and not spoofing it could have lasted longer (but with a smaller audience).
William Dozier hated superheroes from what I read, he liked the Green Hornet better--but it lacked the villains and just wasn't as interesting a concept.
Batman is referenced a couple of times in the Harry Palmer film series--in FUNERAL IN BERLIN Michael Caine says he has his portable Batman suit (the military type is assumed) but in BILLION DOLLAR BRAIN there are pictures of Batman and Robin on his office wall.
Batman also shows up in an Italian crime film--decorating the inside of a nightclub--and they made a few superhero costumed films as well.
On the subject of how it is perceived now--especially with the comical elements--despite that-I think the casting of the characters was not handled in an absurd fashion.
West was not a very interesting Bruce Wayne but his voice was perfect for Batman and the costume was so concealing--he was a MUCH better choice than Lyle Wagoner would have been.
Caesar Romero also deserves much more credit for his performance as the Joker--he is much closer to the comics version of the 50s and 60s than Nicholson or Ledger.
As I discussed in another forum here, West was 6' 2 something, Romero the same, yet Nicholson and Keaton are under 6 feet.
The casting became more "beta" and further away from the superheroic caricature than the 60s show was.