He’s best remembered as the Gotham City Police Department’s Commissioner Gordon , the Dynamic Duo ’s #1 cheerleader. But Neil Hamilton had a long Hollywood career decades before Batman , dating back to the silent film era. This time, we talk about the hills and valleys of his decades in film and television, capped off with the Batman role that earned him the funds to retire. PLUS: More of Adam West ’s 2014 appearance on the YouTube channel Cinefix , the Scott Community High School Band version o...
Jul 20, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 206
We’re joined again by our childhood friend Kyle for the second installment of our comparison of actors who appeared on both Batman and Star Trek . On which show did Grace Lee Whitney (King Tut moll Neila vs. Yeoman Janice Rand ), Lee Meriwether (Tut kidnapee Lisa Carson vs. planetary security system Losira ), Frank Gorshin ( the Riddler vs. traitor-tracker Bele ), and Sherry Jackson (Riddler moll Pauline vs. improbably sexy android Andrea ) turn in the better performance? Then, having pitted two...
Jun 22, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 205
As the broadcast of Batman season one drew to a close, a treatment called Rembrandt the Third Meets his Master was submitted by 31-year-old Yale M. Udoff , who would go on to some success, but was just getting started as a screenwriter. Udoff’s inexperience may account for many of the problems with this treatment: A villain, Rembrandt III , whose crimes and motivations are too creaky for a TV show, and who engages many elements that don’t fit the theme of “painting”; many bat-no-nos, including a...
May 25, 2023•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 204
At the height of Batmania in the first half of 1966, nearly every press outlet found it necessary to do a feature story on the phenomenon. But many in the media were not terribly impressed by Batman , so these articles tend to look down their noses at the show. One such example is “Has TV Gone Batty?” , an article by John Skow in the May 7, 1966, issue of The Saturday Evening Post . Aside from the snark, and misinformed discussion of camp , the article gives us some interesting insights into the...
Apr 27, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 203
We Americans know that Batman was also popular in the United Kingdom (and many other countries), but there are differences in the level of popularity that was reached and how long it lasted, and also in terms of when “first run” of the show was there. 66 Batman Message Board co-admin Ben Bentley is, in fact, British, so we asked for his assistance in tackling this topic. Our discussion touches on the show’s second wind in the ‘70s, Batman references in The Avengers (as in Steed and Peel) and oth...
Mar 30, 2023•1 hr 46 min•Ep. 202
When the Batman TV show set off Batmania in 1966, a wide variety of toys and other tie-in items, not all of them licensed, hit the market. Since licensers seldom made style guides in the ‘60s, rights to the actors likenesses weren’t available, and some of the onslaught of Bat-crap came from overseas makers who thought Batman’s costume would look better in orange, the results are highly entertaining. This time we look at Chip Kidd ’s 1996 book Batman Collected , a history of Bat-merch from 1938 t...
Mar 02, 2023•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 201
Former Batman comics writer Winston Lyon , fresh off his novel Batman vs. Three Villains of Doom , a few months later produced the novelization of Batman: The Movie , a book called Batman vs. the Fearsome Foursome . This time, for our 200th episode, we discuss the book: though based on Lorenzo Semple, Jr. ’s screenplay, it betrays a different attitude toward Batman than Semple, and the Batman show in general, held. Plus, one of our favorite versions of the Batman theme , Cesar Romero interviewed...
Feb 02, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 200
The three versions of the script for Nora Clavicle and the Ladies’ Crime Club raise some interesting questions about season three. Why did the Duo and Batgirl never have a way to easily contact each other? Why do our heroes’ early suspicions that Nora is crooked all get cut from the script? What are the types of female characters that the show keeps coming back to? Plus we look at lines and events that were cut — or added — at late stages in a very hurried process. PLUS, Chad Vermillion ’s “hey ...
Jan 12, 2023•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 199
It's here! The Internet's most complete list of actors who appeared on both Batman and Star Trek: The Original Series ! But... is it totally complete? Look it over and see if there's a relevant actor who isn't listed - then post about him or her in the comments! Some are famous actors in big roles on both, some are extras and uncredited actors, some fall somewhere in between - or had a big role in one show and a bit part in the other. See the entire list at the link below. Batman Star Trek Stanl...
Jan 06, 2023•1 min
In 2009, writers Nunzio DeFillipis and Christina Weir brought King Tut to the DC Universe in three issues of Batman Confidential (issues 26-28), with art by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez and Kevin Nowlan . Tim and Paul discuss the story, and a few '66 Easter eggs embedded therein. (Originally published on Patreon March 19, 2022.)
Dec 22, 2022•27 min
We're going away for a bit. Here's the scoop on what's going on and when we'll be back!
Dec 04, 2022•2 min
As the show hit its first anniversary and the second season neared its end, we see Batman ’s characterization of women subtly changing, particularly Lee Meriwether ’s strong Lisa Carson character, and some examples of actual (gasp) interaction between women! Why did the “poor, deluded girls” fade away? Was it changing social mores, or just the show trying not to repeat itself? Nancy Northcott joins us once again to discuss women on the show, this time in the final third of Season Two, which incl...
Nov 24, 2022•1 hr 43 min•Ep. 198
In early 1966, Batmania was everywhere. This caused a certain (convicted tax evader) concert promoter to ask the question: Can Batman fill Shea Stadium? Adam West and Frank Gorshin were recruited to play their characters as part of a show that also included such musical luminaries as the Young Rascals and the Temptations . However, on June 25, 1966, the answer to the concert promoter's question turned out to be a resounding "No!" The Shea Stadium show has lingered as an oddity on the edges of ou...
Nov 10, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 197
The 11th issue of the Batman ’66 comics series gives us an unusual full-issue story in which the Joker teams up with a very Newmar esque Catwoman to break from prison and try to crack up all of Gotham! But how do we feel about these modern Batman elements, such as Arkham , showing up in this context? Is the series fan service going in too many different directions? PLUS: The iPhonedo Garage Band version of the Batman theme , more from Adam and Burt on The Merv Griffin Show , mail on the Batman/S...
Oct 27, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 196
It’s time for another script! This time it’s the first draft of the Green Hornet guest shot arc A Piece of the Action/Batman’s Satisfaction , featuring a much more assertive Robin than perhaps we ever saw Burt Ward play, and a greater focus on the secret identities of Batman and the Hornet! Plus, more of Adam and Burt ’s Sept 1, 1966, Merv Griffin appearance, the L'Orchestra Cinematique "EPIC" version of the theme , and your mail on our Madge Blake episode! Links from Chris Cavanaugh Detective C...
Oct 13, 2022•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 195
You know her as Mousey in A Riddle a Day Keeps the Riddler Away , but did you know that Susan Silo has been a sought-after character voice actor for cartoons since the ‘70s? Or that she had a hit single in 1956 (" Dear Diary ") and performed on American Bandstand? Or that she’s performed on Broadway? Or that her high school English teacher became a huge TV star in the ‘70s? This time we chat with Susan herself about all this and more! Plus, the Villains ’ version of the Batman theme , more of Ad...
Sep 29, 2022•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 194
Two of the most iconic American TV shows of the 1960s are Batman and Star Trek . A surprising number of actors pulled double duty, appearing on both shows, either as regulars, recurring characters, or one-shot roles. This crossover of actors sounds like an interesting topic, but how do we get it into our show? What we settled on was to put these actors in March Madness-type brackets and pit them against each other. On which show did a given actor give the better performance? And how does their p...
Sep 15, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 193
When talking about Batman , discussion tends to focus on Adam West , Burt Ward , and those who played villains who the Dynamic Duo brought to justice. But here we’ve done nearly 200 episodes and mostly missed someone whose name is in the opening credits for the first two seasons: Madge Blake . So this time we’ve dug in to see what we could learn about this woman who started acting late in life, charmed fellow actors but frustrated some directors, and worked with Jack Benny , Vincente Minnelli , ...
Sep 01, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 192
As season two rolls on, women are still filling familiar roles: OK with crime, but killing the Dynamic Duo is going "too far"; ditzy moll who dreams of diamonds and Hollywood; "team-up" baddie who's completely superfluous to the male partner's plans. We also get a season one throwback of a moll who crushes on Batman , and a Catwoman assistant (and Batman producer's niece) who wants to be a singer. We're once again joined by novelist Nancy Northcott to discuss women in the middle of season two! P...
Aug 18, 2022•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 191
The cultural impact of Batman '66 was felt for decades after, and still reverberates. This time we discuss a couple more late-20th-century cartoons that showed evidence of that impact: Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures , which in 1987 gave us Night of the Bat-Bat , featuring Bat-Bat, a hero with the powers of a bat and a penchant for corny one-liners; and numerous episodes of The Simpsons , including 1992's Mr. Plow , in which Adam West makes a couple of heavily-Bat-referencing appearances; and 1...
Aug 04, 2022•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 190
Why does False Face impersonate Chief O’Hara ? Where is FF’s hideout? Since when does Aunt Harriet drop censor-tempting puns? Why does Blaze tell the Duo “It’s faster on foot”? These questions and more are up for discussion as we look at the Outline, First Draft, and Revised Draft of True or False Face/Holy Rat Race ! Also, Merv Griffin ’s 7-year-old son Tony asks Adam West some burning questions, Mina Pang and her dad jam out with the Batman theme, and we read your mail about our Joker Jury epi...
Jul 21, 2022•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 189
Mr. Freeze is back - WILD! He’s gone all Steve Jobs and put a device in everyone’s pocket — one that will plunge Gotham City into year-round winter! Can Batman turn the tables? Meanwhile, Batgirl is going up against a “villain” who, well, very nicely offered Bruce “milk and cookies” in the TV series itself. Yup, it’s Lisa Carson ! Did anyone ask for this Egyptian heel turn? Tim and Paul discuss the 10th issue of the Batman ’66 comics series. ALSO: Adam talks with Merv about whether being Batman ...
Jul 07, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 188
Just a couple of months after Batman hit the airwaves in 1966, another superhero emerged from the comics, as Superman arrived at the Alvin Theater on Broadway in It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman . How did the musical's creators approach the same question William Dozier and Lorenzo Semple, Jr. , dealt with in 1965: how to make a "children's character" appealing to adults? We compare and contrast the two shows' approaches. After a good start, the musical closed in less than four months; ...
Jun 23, 2022•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 187
As we know, many episodes of Batman — especially in the first season — were based on stories from the comics. And additional comics stories were floated as possible episodes but didn’t make the cut. This time, we focus on one such story: The Joker Jury , by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff , originally appearing in Batman 163 (May 1964) and adopted into an unproduced treatment by Max Hodge , writer of the first two Mr. Freeze arcs of the show. What changes did Hodge make to the story and why? Why...
Jun 09, 2022•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 186
The cover of Batman '66 #9 includes Zelda the Great hanging above the Duo , and Shame 's boots in the foreground. Zelda's in the issue, but where's Shame? Um... in issue #8?! (We discussed that story in episode 182!) Jeff Parker 's Zelda story has its moments, but in other ways it's just weird. Meanwhile, Tom Peyer 's backup story brings back Alfred 's cousin Egbert from The Joker's Provokers , but brings to mind what a version of Alfred in Peyer's The Wrong Earth might have been like! This time...
May 26, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 185
Stanford Sherman ’s Hizzoner the Penguin is a bit hard to reckon with. Satire on Batman is not in line with Lorenzo Semple Jr ’s vision for the show, and the 1966 political references date this arc much more than many others. And yet, it has some brilliantly funny moments. This time, we take a look at Sherman’s treatment, first draft, and final script for Hizzoner to learn about the development of the story, possible reasons why Sherman was unhappy with the result, and previously unnoticed momen...
May 12, 2022•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 184
A huge aspect of the Batman show is the colorful costumes, overseen by designer Jan Kemp . Sadly, Kemp is no longer with us, and his records, if they exist, are not easily available, so if you want to make a really accurate Batman ’66 replica costume, some detective work is required. Chuck and Lynne Williams have done just that, making patterns from original costumes owned by collectors, tracking down existing supplies of fabrics that are no longer made, and more. This time, we hear from this dy...
Apr 28, 2022•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 183
On January 18, 1968 — just two weeks after her final appearance on Batman was broadcast — Eartha Kitt attended a White House ladies’ luncheon held by Lady Bird Johnson . After a brief, unsatisfying conversation with Lyndon Johnson , Kitt, annoyed, stood up and denounced the Vietnam War. This prompted an apparent effort by the President to kill her career in the US. We discuss a recent video from the New Yorker that explores this incident, with clever tie-ins to her Batman appearances. Also, we d...
Apr 14, 2022•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 182
A lot of people work behind the scenes on a TV show, and some of them are never named in the credits. One is Assistant Director Reuben Watt , who nonetheless did get some credit in the form of coverage in magazines aimed at African-Americans. (The image shown here is from the cover of Sepia magazine.) The June 1966 issue of Ebony included a photo feature on Watt , which tells us some interesting things about Watt, the status of African-Americans in Hollywood in the ‘60s, and the Batman show itse...
Mar 31, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 181
The Thirteenth Hat/Batman Stands Pat is Charles Hoffman ’s first produced Batman script. But what did earlier versions of the story look like? It turns out that the original plot had the Mad Hatter simply stealing the jurors’ hats! The stakes - and potential profits from Hatter’s crime wave - had to be raised. At the same time, certain too-expensive-to-film gags and distracting subplots were abandoned. Join us as we discuss the five-page “springboard”, 22-page treatment, and full first draft scr...
Mar 17, 2022•1 hr 58 min•Ep. 180
