Sequel to Batman: Return of the Caped Crusdaers Announced, with WILLIAM SHATNER as Two-Face!!!!

Oh my gob, I'm having a NERDGASM!  The new 1966 Adam West and Burt Ward animated movie isn't even out yet, and they are already making a sequel... a sequel with WILLIAM SHATNER as Two-Face!  My two favorite heroes from 1966, Adam West and the Shat-man, in one movie!  My brain is exploding with joy!

Read all about it at the Hollywood Reporter...
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/william-shatner-voice-two-face-936010

New Trailer for Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders!

Check it out, courtesy of the fine folks at IGN:

Adam West! Burt Ward! Julie Newmar! All reprising their Classic Batman TV Roles in Animated "Batman: Return of the Caped Crusdaers!"

Adam West!  Burt Ward!  Julie Newmar!  All reprising their Classic Batman TV Roles in Animated "Batman: Return of the Caped Crusdaers!"

The-One-True-Batman is back!  Adam West is returning as Batman in a new animated feature Batman: Return of the Caped Crusdaers.  West will be joined by Burt Ward as Robin and Julie Newmar as the Catwoman, with as yet unnannounced actors playing Joker, Riddler, and Penguin.  Adam West and Burt Ward first mentioned this over a year ago at a comic convention, but I hadn't heard anything about it since, and I was starting to give up hope that it was real.  But it is real!

The movie will be released on Digital HD on Oct. 11 and on Blu-Ray on Nov. 1.  For more info, including the first trailer, check out the full post at Entertainment Weekly:
http://www.ew.com/article/2016/08/17/batman-adam-west-burt-ward-julie-newmar-animated

Batman, Episodes 27 and 28 - "The Curse of Tut" and "The Pharaoh's in a Rut"

Batman, Episodes 27 and 28 - "The Curse of Tut" and "The Pharaoh's in a Rut"

50 years ago...
The 27th and 28th episodes of the Batman TV series aired on ABC TV.   Episode 27, "The Curse of Tut," aired on April 13, 1966.  Episode 28, "The Pharaoh's in a Rut," aired on April 14, 1966.

A Crowd Gathers Around Khnum in Gotham Central Park

These were the first episodes to feature Victor Buono as Professor William McElroy, aka King Tut.  Unlike all of the previous villains, King Tut was the first to be created specifically for the TV series.  Professor William McElroy was an Egyptologist who came to believe he was the reincarnation of King Tut after being struck in the head, and then went on a spree of ancient Egypt themed crimes.  There are some fun action scenes in this episode.  One stunt has Bruce Wayne being strapped to a runaway gurney as it races downhill towards a cliff.  Batman and Robin also get in to sword fights with the Egyptian themed villains.  It's also the second time on the series where Batman dances the Batusi.

Batman and Robin in Nefertiti's Crosshairs

Robin's catchphrases in these episodes included "holy hurricane," holy hieroglyphics," "holy whiskers," "holy asp," "holy skyrocket," and "holy taxidermy."

The Mummy's Eyes

More screencaps after the break...

NECA 1/4 Scale Burt Ward Robin Action Figure

NECA 1/4 Scale Burt Ward Robin Action Figure

A few years ago, I reviewed NECA's giant 18 inch 1/4 scale Adam West Batman action figure.  Well, it's been a while, but I finally got around to picking up his partner in crimefighting, NECA's 1/4 scale Robin action figure.

Burt Ward Hero Pose

Like NECA's Adam West figure, this giant-sized action figure of Burt Ward as Robin is almost perfect, and I really love it.  A few of his joints are kind of stiff, just like the Adam West figure's were, but that can probably be fixed with by heating it up with some boiling water or hot air from a hair dryer.  Most of the details of the packaging, accessories, and the figure itself are pretty much the same as the Adam West figure, so I'll urge you to read that review for the details.  The main difference is that this figure is about an inch shorter, since of course Burt Ward was not as tall as Adam West.

On Display at Misfit Robot Daydream Headquarters (aka My Living Room)

 Aside from that, I'm just going to let my photos do the talking, so let's check them out:

Under the Batsignal

More photos after the break...

Batman, Episodes 25 and 26 - "The Joker Trumps an Ace" and "Batman Sets the Pace"

Batman, Episodes 25 and 26 - "The Joker Trumps an Ace" and "Batman Sets the Pace"

50 years ago...
The 25th and 26th episodes of the Batman TV series aired on ABC TV.   Episode 25, "The Joker Trumps an Ace," aired on April 6, 1966.  Episode 26, "Batman Sets the Pace," aired on April 7, 1966.   These were the third pair of episodes to feature Cesar Romero as The Joker.

Batman and Robin Are on the Lookout for Criminal Activities at the Golf Course

The Joker goes on a seemingly nonsensical crime spree, stealing things like a woman's hairpin, and a hole from a golf course. However, the random seeming crimes are really part of a diabolical scheme to defeat Batman once and for all... by forcing him to sign a bogus check.

The Joker and Jill (His Latest Moll)

Robin's catchphrases in these episodes included "holy Taj Mahal" and "holy Golden Gate."

The Joker tells riddles and leaves clues in these episodes, making it seem like they were originally intended for Frank Gorshin as The Riddler.  But the comic book story these episodes were based on *("A Hairpin, a Hoe, a Hacksaw, a Hole In the Ground!" from  Batman #53) was in fact a Joker story.

"A Hairpin, a Hoe, a Hacksaw, a Hole In the Ground!" from  Batman #53

More screencaps after the break...

Bat-Music #17 - The Liverpool Scene - Batpoem

Bat-Music #17 - The Liverpool Scene - Batpoem

Adam West tackled plenty of tricky foes back in his days as the caped crusader, but none quite like this, where the Batman theme backs up spoken word poetry pitting Batman against birth control pills, LSD, and the Vietnam War.  "Batpoem" is off of the 1968 Liverpool Scene album "The Amazing Adventures of the Liverpool Scene."

The Liverpool Scene - Batpoem

Batman, Episodes 23 and 24 - "The Ring of Wax," and "Give 'Em the Axe" (1966)

Batman, Episodes 23 and 24 - "The Ring of Wax," and "Give 'Em the Axe" (1966)

50 years ago...
The 23rd and 24th episode of the Batman TV series aired on ABC TV.   Episode 23, "The Ring of Wax," aired on March, 30, 1966.  Episode 24, "Give 'Em the Axe," aired on March 31, 1966.

Batman Looks to the Skies

 
These were the third pair of episodes to feature Frank Gorshin as The Riddler.

The Riddler Celebrates His Victory

The Riddler concocts a "universal solvent wax" as part of a scheme to steal "The Lost Treasure of the Incas." This adventure takes Batman and Robin to a spooky wax museum, a candle factory full of boiling wax, and a room full of medieval torture instruments.  This episode also feature Linda Gaye Scott as The Riddler's moll "Moth."  Moth wears a skintight purple jumpsuit that looks a bit like a preview of Batgirl's costume in season 3.

The Lawmen Visit the Library

Robin's catchphrases in these episodes include "holy mucilage" and "holy paraffin."

Batman Worries About Robin's Safety

More screencaps after the break...

Batman, Episodes 21 and 22 - "The Penguin Goes Straight," and "Not Yet, He Ain't" (1966)

Batman, Episodes 21 and 22 - "The Penguin Goes Straight," and "Not Yet, He Ain't" (1966)

50 years ago...
The 21st and 22nd episode of the Batman TV series aired on ABC TV.   Episode 21, "The Penguin Goes Straight," aired on March 23, 1966.  Episode 22, "Not Yet, He Ain't," aired on March 24, 1966.

Commissioner Gordon and Chief O'Hara Interrogate a Criminal

These were the 2nd pair of episodes to feature Burgess Meredith as The Penguin.

The Penguin Protective Agency, Incorporated

The Penguin begins a REVERSE crime spree!  Instead of committing thefts, he starts preventing them, and forms the "Penguin Protective Agency" to protect the valuables of Gotham City's wealthy elites.  Batman and Robin believe this is merely a ruse to get his hands on and steal the valuables he is supposed to protect.  The Dynamic Duo attempts to replace a set of valuable jewels with replicas, to protect the real jewels from The Penguin.  But The Penguin catches Batman and Robin in the act, and accuses them of burglary.  Now Batman and Robin are the ones on the run from the law!

Cruising in the Batmobile

There's some fun stuff in these episodes.  Be on the lookout for Harvey Lembeck, who played "Eric Von Zipper" in the "Beach Party" movies.  He plays The Penguin's henchman "Eagle-Eye."

Cruising in the "Birdmobile"

Also look for the scene were Batman and Robin pretend that they have become mentally unbalanced and are going to kill The Penguin for revenge (don't worry, it's all part of their plan).  Burt Ward's twitchy performance in this scene is a hoot.

Batman and Robin's Corpses, After Being Gunned Down by the Cops

Finally, check out the Batcycle in the second episode.  It's the original Harley Davidson version of the Batcycle, which was only used once.  All subsequent versions featured the more heavily customized Yamaha Catalina Batcycle that was used in the 1966 feature film (mostly with stock footage from the film).  Robin has a full-sized sidecar on this bike, as opposed to the detachable go-kart he has on the Catalina cycle.

The Original Harley Davidson Batcycle

Robin's catchphrases in these episodes included "holy nick of time," and "holy leopard."

These episodes were loosely based on the comic book story "One of the Most Perfect Frame-Ups of All Time!!" from Detective Comics #58, where The Penguin, in his comic book debut, frames the Batman for a crime and has him arrested.




More screencaps after the break...

Batman, Episodes 19 and 20 - "The Purr-fect Crime," and "Better Luck Next Time" (1966)

Batman, Episodes 19 and 20 - "The Purr-fect Crime," and "Better Luck Next Time" (1966)

50 years ago...
The 19th and 20th episode of the Batman TV series aired on ABC TV. Episode 19, "The Purr-fect Crime," aired on March 16, 1966.  Episode 20, "Better Luck Next Time," aired on March 17, 1966.

The Bomb Said "Meow."

 These were the first episodes to feature Julie Newmar as Catwoman.  Catwoman appears to die at the end of the second episode, but like any good cat with 9 lives, she managed to survive and made several more appearances on the series.

Catwoman Perched Atop a Convertible

Robin's exclamations in these episodes included "holy cats, a cat," "holy icepicks," "holy Reshevsky," "holy felony," and "holy geography."

Robin: Unconscious and Poisoned!  Can Batman Save Him In Time?

Fun Fact: These episodes were the basis for a set of Viewmaster reels.

More screencaps after the break...

Bat-Music #15 - Die-Cut Batman Novelty Records

Bat-Music #15 - Die-Cut Batman Novelty Records

In 1966, Synthetic Plastics released a quintet of 45 RPM singles featuring Batman, Robin, The Joker, The Penguin, and The Batmobile.  Each one featured a die-cut cover with comic book style artwork, and contained two songs about their respective characters.  They are visually quite striking, and make a great addition to any 1966 Batman collection. All 10 songs were also released on a full length LP called Children's Treasury Of Batman Musical Stories.  The song "Look Out for the Batman" uses elements of the Batman TV show theme in it's music, the rest of the songs feature original music.

"It's The Batman" Tracklisting:

1. It's The Batman
2. Look Out for the Batman

"There Goes Robin" Tracklisting:

1. There Goes Robin
2. The Wonderful Boy Wonder

"The Battiest Car Around" Tracklisting:

1. The Battiest Car Around
2. Here Comes the Batmobile

"The Joker Gets Trumped" Tracklisting:

1. The Joker Gets Trumped
2. Ho Ho Ho The Joker's Wild

"The Penguin" Tracklisting:

1. The Penguin
2. A Penguin Caper

 





A Penguin Caper


Look Out for the Batman

Batman, Episodes 17 and 18 - "True or False Face" and "Holy Rat Race" (1966)

Batman, Episodes 17 and 18 - "True or False Face" and "Holy Rat Race" (1966)

"True or False Face" and "Holy Rat Race" were the 17th and 18th episodes of the Batman TV show, airing on ABC March 9th and 10th, 1966.  The episodes featured the only appearance of the villain "False Face."  False Face was a master of disguise, whose true face was always disguised by an opaque plastic mask.  The opening credits listed "Special Guest Villain ? as False Face."  A man named "?" may seem strange to modern audiences, but in 1966, it could only mean one thing...  False Face was being played by ?, aka Question Mark, of the garage rock band Question Mark & the Mysterians, whose hit single "96 Tears" was the 5th most popular song on the Billboard Charts for 1966!  Rock on!!!

"Special Guest Villain ? as False Face"

Question Mark

Question Mark & the Mysterians - 96 Tears

 The Riddler's Favorite Band?

Alas, the end credits of the second episode revealed that the actor was actually Malachi Throne, aka "That Guy."  As in you know his face from a hundred different TV guest spots, but you never really know who he is.  You know, "that guy."

False Face First Appeared in Batman #113, Drawn by Sheldon Moldoff

Robin's "holy" exclamations in this episode include, "Holy Houdini," "Holy bouncing boilerplated fists," "Holy transistors," and "holy wigs."

I should really label my TV with a sign that reads "Television."  Less confusion that way.

More screencaps after he break.