Batman (1966–1968) User Reviews

Where Adam West Was the Glue, Criminals often the Stars

[DKosty123 · 7/10 · 6 September 2006]

Adam West not only was Batman, in this series he was straight man. His straight face was always what held thing together. No matter how outlandish Robin or a super criminal was, West would always appear to take things in stride & have a straight face when he would pull something out of his utility belt to handle the problem. Burt Ward's Robin was often reactive with many Holy Blanks!! & while he was mostly a sidekick for Batman, sometimes when the Caped Crusdaer was tied up, he & the faithful Alfred would manage things. To me the criminals were most often the stars of this. Burgess Meredith made a great Penguin - especially when he runs for mayor of Gotham City against Batman and proclaims "I should have gotten into politics sooner because in campaigns, all my dirty bird tricks are legal now!" Imagine that, & this is before Nixon got caught.

Frank Gorshin's Riddler has never been equaled. Ceasar Romero's Joker was so good that Jack Nicholson had to take the character in new directions in the film to avoid direct comparison. The amazing thing about this series was the amount of great actors & actresses they got to play the criminals. It is a who's who of character actors from that era. Alan Ladd, Vincent Price, Otto Preminger, Art Carney, Roddy Mcdowell to name a few villains.

This was an ABC series which would have lasted longer, but CBS had such a power house line-up, this was lucky to make it 3 seasons. At least they were 3 great seasons & all in color. The cliff hangers & fights from these are now classic, & some of the plots were pretty corny, while others showed imagination. Overall, just think of Robin saying "Support your police!" & Batman responding "Well said, Robin." and you get an idea that while the series was corny, it at least had a moral compass always. Holy establishment, Batman!

One of the biggest TV phenomenon of the mid-1960's....Batman

[rcj5365 · 9/10 · 27 March 2012]

Premiering on ABC-TV on January 12,1966,the television series BATMAN took America audiences and television by storm. While the show stayed true to the origins of Bob Kane's classic comic strip and went up the alley with all the non-stop thrills,high action and adventure it can muster and so much more. For the three seasons and a half that it was on the air,the show premiered in mid-season for the 1965-1966 season,producing 120 episodes,all in color under executive producer William Dozier(who also served as the narrator) under his production company Greenway Productions and Twentieth Century-Fox Television for ABC. From it's premiere episode,the series took America by storm and by the end of 1966 BATMANIA was everywhere from merchandising to rare appearances and even ending up during the halftime show of the First Super Bowl! BATMAN was so successful on television,producer William Dozier brought the Dynamic Duo to a bigger audience in a full length theatrical feature film based on Bob Kane's comic strip and the television series of the same title that roared into cinemas in August of 1966 released by Greenway Productions and Twentieth Century-Fox.

What made BATMAN so successful during it's first two seasons was the general structure of the series stayed true to Bob Kane's original comics. Millionaire Bruce Wayne/Batman(Adam West),and his young ward Dick Grayson/Robin(Burt Ward)were individually as the Caped Crusader and the Boy Wonder as they waged an endless battle against the villains who plagued Gotham City. The only person who knew there true identity was Alfred Pennyworrth(Alan Napier). In addition to the underground Bat Cave,where every device was carefully labeled with it's function along with the fabulous Bat Lab,they used a marvelously equipped car,the Bat Mobile to chase and apprehend criminals. Whenever there services were needed,Police Commissioner Gordon(Neil Hamilton),along with Chief O'Hara(Stafford Repp) could summon them with the searchlight-like Bat Signal or call them on the special Bat Phone. There were other devices that Batman and Robin used to defeat criminals such as the Bat Shield just to name a few. There was also the Bat Boat and the Bat Copter as well. BATMAN became an overnight sensation when it premiered on January 12,1966 with the first episode "Hi Diddle Riddle"(with special guest villain Frank Gorshin) and the conclusion "Smack In The Middle"(airing January 13,1966),aired in two-part stories that ran on Wednesday and Thursday nights for all of Season 1 and most of Season 2. The climax of the first part left the pair being captured by that week's diabolical villain or villainess where they are left in a dire predicament or cliffhanger from which they would managed to extricate themselves from on the following night. From there,it became a monster hit. For it's first season,it was one of the top ten highest rated shows on television (It was in the top five of the Nielsens during its first 2 seasons),making huge stars of both Adam West and Burt Ward during it's era.

Appearing as a guest villain or villainess on the show became something of a status symbol. Out of the 30 or so villains that were guest stars on the show,only three were with it from the beginning to the end. Stars like Burgess Meredith(Penguin),Cesar Romero(Joker),Frank Gorshin(Riddler,and later on was played by John Astin). Other villains were Julie Newmar(Catwoman,and later on was played by Eartha Kitt),and Vincent Price(Egghead),and even the diabolical King Tut(Victor Buono). By the start of the third season,the ratings were slipping and the novelty was about to fade where the format was cut to a once a week format. A new superhero,Batgirl(Yvonne Craig) who regularly team with Batman and Robin to fight the villains and not to mention facing the villains wrath,didn't help in the ratings. By March 14,1968,the biggest television phenomenon of the mid-1960's was gone. NBC was set to pick up BATMAN in the fall of 1968 after ABC canceled it. NBC was ready to put the show back to a twice a week format for it's 1968-1969 season. The second format that NBC had for BATMAN was expanding the show to a full hour and having Adam West and Burt Ward in and Yvonne Craig out. There were other plans for turning this campy superhero show into a serious crime drama,which basically fell through by the executives at NBC. However,that plan also failed,and NBC rejected the idea of picking up the series from ABC. For the 1968-1969 season, ABC didn't waste any time finding a replacement for the now canceled BATMAN. The show that replaced it? The Ugliest Girl In Town.

Silly of course, but a TV classic nonetheless

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 4 March 2011]

I love anything to do with Batman, and I just love this series. It is not the best of anything to do with Batman I've seen, and any fans of the comics will perhaps be disappointed, but Batman(1966) is still a great show. Is it silly? Yes it is, and somewhat camp too, with some of the lines and the delivery of them. But that worked in the show's favour, the campiness actually added to the quality of the show for me, and a vast majority of it was witty and fresh.

So why isn't this show a 10 in my book? For me, the show took a spiral downwards during Season 3, it wasn't unwatchable or anything, there were some high points such as Joan Collins' Siren and King Tut who was surprisingly consistent, but there were some weak episodes, the humour wasn't as sharp, witty or satirical and the change of pace(no more cliffhangers) kind of hurt it as well. The episode with Dr.Cassandra epitomised this in my opinion, I wasn't so taken with Sandman, Minerva or Puzzler either and mostly because the story lines weren't as good or the villains themselves were on the dull side, and while Eartha Kitt was a good Catwoman, Julie Newmar was sexier and handled the comedy better. Also Julie had the better-written story lines and dialogue. Lee Merriweather was great too in the movie, which compliments the series very well, but some of the first episodes I saw of this show were those with Julie in. As for Yvonne Craig's Batgirl, the performance was okay but I got the sense that in relation to some of the stories Batgirl felt shoe horned in.

Season 3 aside, Seasons 1 and 2 have some classics. Season 1 is the best, I loved the sharp and witty humour and it maintained its endearing campy freshness that made the show so appealing to me. Season 2 wasn't as good, with a couple of not-so-good episodes, but I liked how much broader the satire got in this season. What was my favourite episode? Many to choose from, but the one where Penguin stands for Mayor is classic.

The production values are pretty good. I liked the photography and the costumes, while the batmobile is wonderful to watch and Gotham City is well-realised without having the spectacle of the Burton and Nolan movies for instance, not a bad thing by the way. The theme song also gives the show its energy, to me the theme song is one of those things that gives the show its status, very driven with a fun, catchy melody it is just irresistible. And I liked the neat little cartoon sequence that went with it.

The story lines are fun and fresh, the idea of the two parters to create something contrasting and different worked wonders, while the writing does a really good job of cheering me up after a long day and the fight sequences are fun and decently choreographed. The performances are good too. Adam West is a fun Batman, and deserves credit for making the campiest of lines sound credible by his deadpan delivery. Burt Ward is good as Robin, his "Holy..." catchphrases may grate depending on who you are, but he contrasts well with West's Batman. Alfred is charmingly played by Alan Napier, Neil Hamilton is a hoot and the narration is deliciously sardonic. But the villains made the show for me, while I was interested in Vincent Price, George Sanders and David Wayne as Egghead, Mr Freeze and Mad Hatter, and Frank Gorshin nailed Riddler(John Astin not so much), my favourites were Penguin and Joker, wonderfully played by Burgess Meredith and Cesar Romero.

Overall, a fun show and great to watch after a hard day. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Holy Bat ratings! We're in IMDB!

[TroyAir · 9 August 1999]

I watched this tv show as a child, and every Halloween from the age of 5 to 8, I wanted to dress in a costume just like Batman's. Of course, my parents didn't have the resources to hire an entire corps of costumers and props masters, so I had to make do with a jumpsuit from Sears that had the Batman symbol printed on it. Such is Life. Still, I always thought Batman was the best of the legion of super-heroes to come around (except for perhaps Spiderman, whom I discovered later on).

Watching the tv show now as an adult, I realize just how campy and ridiculous it was, but where as a child I interpreted the action sequences as dynamic and exciting, now I see these same scenes as well-staged comedy, which is how the original producers intended it to be seen. Who can forget the big cartoon graphics such as "BAM!" and "POW!" and "Crrr-Rash!" which flashed up just before Batman slugged a villain or knocked over a prop? I beat up the sofa cushions with just as much enthusiasm. And don't even get me started on the car (Batmobile), the boat (Batboat), and helicopter (Batcopter) which I absolutely had to have in Corgi miniatures (still have mine in a box in the garage, along with James Bond's Aston Martin and the Monkeemobile). And all the kids knew the Batman song. NaNa NaNa NaNa NaNa Batman!

Looking back at it now, I see that even though Adam West and Burt Ward, two relative unknowns at the time, never really recovered from being typecast, just about all of the supporting actors were accomplished in either films, tv, or the stage, such as Cesar Romero and Victor Buono (check him out in "What Ever Happened To Baby Jane"), and they managed to continue their careers. A few, such as Eartha Kitt, used the "Batman" series as a springboard to other things (I saw Kitt's performance as the Wicked Witch in "Wizard of Oz" on stage and she was fantastic). But whatever their future careers became, they turned in quality performances on the show.

I always had a thing for both Cat Woman (all 3 of them) and Batgirl. The costume designers really knew how to show off a woman's curves in those tight-fitting catsuits with big metallic utility belts and high-heeled shoes, but I suppose that was the fashion back in the late-60's. They probably fit right in with the mini-dresses and go-go boots the other girls were wearing.

Your kids will love the show and will watch it again and again. You'll enjoy it the first two times you see it, but then it'll get stale and boring. But just remember, no matter how grim things get when the Riddler and Joker have Batman and the Boy Wonder hanging over a vat of acid or encased in a gas chamber, the Dynamic Duo always manage to pull out a can of Bat Rope Dissolver or Bat Gas Begone and show up to defeat the villains each week at the same Bat-time, same Bat-channel.

To the Batcave!

Holy Guadalajara, Batman! It's still a hoot after all these years!

[lee_eisenberg · 10/10 · 2 August 2005]

From the moment that you hear "Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na Batman!", you always know that you're in for something good. This "Batman" was in a way more interesting than the later movies, mainly because of the graphics that appear whenever someone gets hit. Of course, the premise needs no explanation, but Batman (Adam West) and Robin (Burt Ward) are truly a cross between old-style superheroes and the 1960s. Like many other '60s TV shows (think "Bewitched", "Gilligan's Island" and "I Dream of Jeannie"), "Batman" was as zany as possible and a laugh riot every step of the way. And the villains? The perfidious Penguin (Burgess Meredith), conniving Catwoman (Julie Newmar, later Eartha Kitt), the jackknife Joker (Cesar Romero) and the ruckus-causing Riddler (Frank Gorshin) are exactly what anyone could ask for. And Vincent Price had a great line that one time when he appeared.

So, I will pose this final question: Can this really be happening? Is "Batman" still a great show? Will the villains continue to engage in their evil, egregious and extraneous acts? Will the Dynamic Duo clobber, confound and confuse the villains? Find out next week, same Bat time, same Bat channel!

The Dark Knight? Who's he?

[ShadeGrenade · 10/10 · 29 September 2006]

Created by Bob Kane, 'Batman' is, along with 'Superman', one of the world's most instantly recognisable superheroes. He was at his most popular in the mid-to-late '60's, thanks to a three-season television series that conquered the world. It came out of that same wonderful, mad era of U.S. television as 'Star Trek', 'Get Smart', 'The Monkees' and 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Fox had sat on the rights for a while before producer William Dozier hit on the inspired idea of 'camping' the character. 'Batman' quickly became America's coolest show. It worked on two levels; kids lapped up the adventure while adults found it hilarious. It was the 'Police Squad!' of its day.

Each episode opened with a daring, imaginative crime, such as the theft of a priceless painting from the Gotham City Art Gallery. A clue would alert Commissioner Gordon ( Neil Hamilton ) and Chief O'Hara ( Stafford Repp ) as to the identity of the culprit. Gordon would then pick up the Bat Phone. At stately Wayne Manor, millionaire Bruce Wayne ( Adam West ) and his youthful ward Dick Grayson ( Burt Ward ) would be summoned away from Aunt Harriet's ( Madge Blake ) side by their faithful butler Alfred ( Alan Napier ). A hidden door in the Manor's library concealed the Bat Poles. Bruce and Dick slid down these, emerging fully attired as 'Batman' and 'Robin' in the Batcave, an amazing hideout packed with sophisticated equipment for crime fighting. Our heroes jumped into the Batmobile, and roared off towards Gotham City to meet with Gordon and O'Hara. Everything about the genre was ridiculed mercilessly, even the cliffhanger endings. Over the fights the words 'Zap!' 'Pow!' and 'Blamm!' were superimposed.

The array of villains Batman faced on a weekly basis would have put the wind up even James Bond - the Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler, the Catwoman, Mr.Freeze, The Mad Hatter, plus a few created specially for the series such as 'Clock King', 'The Bookworm', 'King Tut' and 'Louie The Lilac'. 'Batman' became the 'in' show to appear on; stars such as Cesar Romero, Burgess Meredith, Frank Gorshin, George Sanders, Victor Buono, Roddy McDowall, Anne Baxter, Cliff Robertson, Ida Lupino, Liberace, Tallulah Bankhead, Eli Wallach, Rudy Vallee, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Milton Berle, Joan Collins all put on outrageous costumes and accents to menace our heroes. The one who had the greatest impact on me personally though was the awesome Julie Newmar as 'Catwoman'. She set the screen alight with her suggestive dialogue and feline body language. Other celebrities were happy simply to lean out of a window whenever the Dynamic Duo went into one of their famous wall-climbing routines, including Jerry Lewis, Edward G.Robertson and Sammy Davis Jr.

One of my favourite scenes had Batman talking to Commissioner Gordon by phone from the Batcave and pretending to be both himself and Bruce Wayne. Though Batman doesn't change his voice Gordon is convinced he's talking to two different people. Another was the scene where Gordon rings Batman for help, only to learn that the Caped Crusader is unavailable. "The day I've dreaded has finally arrived, O'Hara! We'll have to solve this case ourselves!".

Until 'Star Wars' opened a decade later, it is fair to say 'Batman' enjoyed the most merchandising of any film/television concept ( I was given a Dinky Toy 'Batmobile' for my 5th birthday in 1968 ). There was even a film version in 1966, pitting our heroes against Joker, Penguin, Catwoman ( played by Lee Meriwether ) and Riddler.

Like all fads though, 'Batman' did not last. The third season introduced 'Batgirl' ( Yvonne Craig ) as a regular, and the show reduced from two episodes a week to just one, but ratings did not improve.

It would be twenty years before 'Batman' was resurrected for a new generation firstly by Tim Burton and then Joel Schumacher. More recently, Christopher Nolan's 'Batman Begins' and 'The Dark Knight' brought a more sober approach to the superhero. Fans of the comic book applauded - I was not among them. The gritty, realistic tone of the newer Batmans is alien to me - like putting 'Austin Powers' in a Daniel Craig-type Bond film. The show's popularity has endured fortunately, with reruns always lurking somewhere on the airwaves. It gives a man a good feeling to know The Dynamic Duo are out there still, doing their job!

This, to me, IS Batman

[irishm · 7/10 · 10 February 2015]

I never got into the comic books and the one "modern" movie version I saw didn't grab me. I was a kid during its first run and definitely the target demographic. The Special Guest Villains really made the show… we were a family of film buffs and we loved recognizing the villains from other things. Major favorites were Victor Buono as King Tut (how many other 10-year-olds had seen "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane", I wonder?), Vincent Price as Egghead (again, "House of Wax" was hardly a children's movie!) and Roddy McDowall as Bookworm (hey, "Lassie Come Home" was actually for kids!). And naturally, Joker, Riddler, Penguin and Catwoman were always welcome in our living room.

I've recently streamed a few episodes just for the heck of it. One featured Liberace as Chandell (very clever name!). I'm not a Liberace fan and he wasn't a favored villain in my youth, but as an adult I got a few really good laughs out of this episode. Firstly, after a robbery at Stately Wayne Manor, Commissioner Gordon picks up the Batphone only to be advised by Alfred that Batman and Robin are on vacation. There's a look of pure horror on his face as he turns to Chief O'Hara and says "I think we may have to… solve this one ourselves!" As a kid I wouldn't have batted an eye; as an adult I cracked up… you mean, DO YOUR JOB for a change? It was a hilarious line and Neil Hamilton really nailed it… I bet he enjoyed the rare opportunity to be a bigger part of the plot. And Stafford Repp got in a few zingers as well, over and above his weekly sigh of "saints preserve us!": at one point, Chief O'Hara decides that snipers with machine guns in the balcony of the local concert hall are the way to deter any possible criminal acts during Chandell's performance, again producing howls from the grown-ups. Fears for Aunt Harriet's virtue are voiced when she visits Chandell in his dressing room… trust me, Aunt Harriet is safe with Chandell (but the Boy Wonder might not have been). The funniest scene by far was the absent Bruce Wayne ruminating that Commissioner Gordon would doubtless have things well in hand and would work tirelessly to apprehend the villain… cut to Commissioner Gordon with a row of large pill bottles lined up on his desk. So stalwart Commissioner Gordon is amped up on speed? Pure comedy gold. The cherry on top of the cupcake was Liberace's performance as evil twin brother Harry the gangster, puffing cigars and talking out of the corner of his mouth; he was quite entertaining as something other than his grinning sequin-studded pianist persona.

Recommended for nostalgia factor only… anyone raised on the darker film series probably wouldn't understand. But for a baby-boomer… PURRRRRRRRRR-fect.

Pure escapism and great memories

[BruceCorneil · 8/10 · 24 August 2003]

Who could ever forget those immortal words such as "Pow" and "Wham" flashing up on the TV screen as Batman and Robin landed into evil wrong-doers with clenched fists flying. Those long black evening gloves of the Caped Crusaders could really pack a punch!

All of us who were hard core "Batniks" had boxes full of the mandatory merchandising goodies. There was the die-cast Batmobile and Bat Boat, the costume complete with 'útility belt' and I seem to recall a board game buzzing around at some point. No doubt, there was also a View-Master reel and probably a flicker ring as well. Ah, those were the days. If only we'd kept all of that stuff, be worth THOUSANDS on ebay!

It's a shame that kids haven't got anything like the old Batman nowadays. It was colorful, fun and highly imaginative.

Pure escapism and great memories.

Adam west's batman is the best

[moivieFan · 7/10 · 18 January 2021]

I think Adam west's Batman is the best batman. And the Batmobile looks great.

This is one of my favorite television shows. I used to watch it whenever it came on television. It always made me feel better when I was feeling down.

I liked the colorful sets. The guest stars. The opening and closing credits. The opening and closing credits are similar to wonder woman in that they are cartoons.

I don't think the stories are that realistic or the special effects are that great.

Batman is a fun show to watch.

13 Things I Learned from Batman

[mickx-06081 · 10/10 · 26 December 2018]

1. All fights will be face punches and off-balance kicks 2. Eniac computers in the Batcave will also work in the Jupiter 2 ship 3. All villain lairs have tilted floors - so the scenes will be askew. 4. The Atomic Pile radiation will not harm anyone in the Batcave. 5. Clowns can keep their mustaches. 6. Every drive in and out of the Batcave will look exactly the same. 7. No one can recognize Batmans voice out of costume. 8. No criminal will ever pull off his cowl. 9. Villains will do a crime as soon as they are out of jail. 10. Batmobile dash labels change every week. 11. Gotham jails release super villains every season. 12. Gotham City aerial scenes look like New York City with only 1959 cars driving around. But much darker and grainier than the rest of the show. 13. You can climb the side of a building with rope the thickness of licorice.

Great TV show, but a travesty of the comics

[davidrulesyou · 7/10 · 29 April 2009]

Although I'm more into serious Batman, this TV show has a strange appeal for me. Maybe it's because I'm a Batman fan and love entertainment. I thought Adam West was good at portraying Batman (although I still think Michael Keaton is the best Batman). Burt Ward I thought was a good Robin, and he and Batman were a great team in that show together, the way they were fighting the bad guys, the way they were getting awards, etc. Every episode seems so fun. I also like the theme song for this TV show. It's so memorable, you'll remember it for years to come.

For serious Batman fans however, this TV show is nothing but a dumb-down mockery of the comics (mostly for what I said: entertainment). Even though it does seem like the comic is coming to life, it tones down the violence so that it would suitable for children to watch as well as adults and make it be laughed at. Also, it lacks any darkness Batman would usually associate with. If you want to watch serious Batman (which I prefer more), I recommended you stay away from this and watch either the two movies directed by Tim Burton or the latest two movies by Christopher Nolan. You'll just be offended with this.

Despite this, this is still a great TV show with memorable scenes and a phenomenon in popular culture. Because of what I said: I rate this TV show 7/10. I wonder how Bob Kane would have felt with this TV show, although he did one time say that Adam West was a buddy of his.

Yvonne Craig and her Batgirl made this show For Me

[Island_Tropics · 10/10 · 4 March 2020]

I might be in the minority here but in all honesty, Yvonne Craig and her Batgirl made this show for me. I still love everything about the show, all of the characters and all of the sets but when she arrived, it made such a difference for me.

Her groovy apartment with the revolving wall that lead to her secret Batgirl area with her Batgirl suit which then leads to that amazing circular door to the freight elevator where her Batgirl cycle is, I found all of that to be absolutely magical. I loved that pinstriped bedroom wall & vanity that then revolved to expose the periwinkle brick wall. Even the smaller panel within the revolving wall that also revolves into a mirror. And to see the regular brick wall with that fantastic circular door, all of that was just magical for me.

The Barbara Gordon / Batgirl sets aside, Yvonne Craig was a breath of fresh air. Her beautiful, colorful Batgirl suit, gorgeous red hair wig with curls, her sensuality with her movements, her confidence & intelligence, everything about her was amazing. I really wish we got more than 26 episodes of her.

Rest In Peace, Ms. Craig. Thank you for your work and for giving us Batgirl.

Holy Campy Fun, Batman!

[OllieSuave-007 · 7/10 · 11 June 2007]

I first watched this show when I was a kid. A cousin of mine had introduced it to me, and it was my first time seeing Batman and Robin played by real actors. In general, this show is very cheesy, campy, silly and whimsical, with average-at-best special effects, funny fight scenes and predictable stories. But, you don't really have to take this TV show seriously, just enjoy it. It's fun to watch (sometimes, it's so bad it's funny). Almost every major character from the comic strip are here including, Bruce Wayne/Batman, Dick Grayson/Robin, Commissioner Gordon, Alfred Pennysworth, Barbara Gordon/Batgirl, Joker, Penquin, Catwoman and the Riddler! I liked how this show depicted the Batcave, accessible through a mini-control hidden underneath the head of a statue, and Barbara Gordon's secret chamber for her Batgirl costume: she flips a switch under her dresser and the entire wall turns to reveal her secret identity.

The lively opening scene music will probably be ingrained in your mind forever after hearing it, and will instantly remind you that this is the Batman series from the 1960s. And, the animation from the opening scene resembles that of those in the comic books. The costumes are also very colorful and vibrant.

Each of the episode is hatched out to contain straight-to-the-point plot (though very cliché): the heroes finds the villains and tries to foil their plot. Each episode contains action-packed fight scenes along with animated texts like "Pow," Kapow," "Sock" and others appearing on your TV screen. Each character's dialog are spoken as if he/she is running out of time - fast like there is no room for nonsense, and no room for dramatic and slow-talks. Adam West looked like he had too much fun filming this series. The series got more interesting with the additional of Batgirl in Season 3, in my opinion.

Above all, a very campy show, sometimes serving as great popcorn entertainment. You don't have to worry about the story or take the plot seriously, just enjoy the action.

Grade B-

Not binge worthy

[13Funbags · 5/10 · 6 September 2018]

I just watched the first 30 episodes and I'm not sure I can ever watch any more. I enjoyed it but it's just the same stuff over and over. I noticed some weird stuff too. When they pull up in front of the police station it's always the same exact clip. The bat signal was only used twice and there were at least 5 times they said the Joker would be in the next episode and he wasn't. This show can be fun in small doses, just don't over do it.

RIDICULOUS BUT ENJOYABLE

[Big Movie Fan · 6 March 2002]

What can I say about this series? It was crazy and ridiculous but it was all good fun.

If anybody's seen my review of the 1966 Batman movie then you'll pretty much know what my view is on this show. It was ridiculous but in a good way.

For starters, Robin couldn't possibly hope to fool anyone with that disguise? How about I put on a mask and go and visit my parents? Would a mask like Robin's fool anyone?

The thing I loved about this series was the cliffhanger episodes. Batman and Robin would be put in a seemingly inescapable trap and then in the next episode Batman would manage to reach into his utility belt and pull out a convenient device. In one episode Batman was about to be dropped in acid when he suddenly remembered that Alfred the Butler had acid proofed his costume. How funny is that?

The crazy thing was how Batman and Robin always had the right equipment. They had things such as Anti-Penguin Gas Pills and other crazy devices. I honestly wouldn't have thought there would be enough room in their belts for half their equipment.

The best thing about this show was the fights at the end. The bumbling villains would outnumber Batman and Robin who would then bash them into next week just before the police arrived.

This was a good show for it's first couple of seasons. The beautiful Yvonne Craig joined the third season as Batgirl and she was good. However the cliffhanger episodes were gradually phased out and each half hour episode had a beginning, middle and end.

This isn't the type of show to take seriously. It's great fun and anybody who watches it will laugh their socks off at times. If it shows up on your local TV channel then watch it!

Absurd Persons, Plural

[DeanNYC · 8/10 · 24 August 2006]

Looking back at this program from its completion through all of the episodes, it's easy to characterize it as being a campy version of Bob Kane's Dark Knight legend. But I'm not at all certain that it had to be...

In fact, in looking at the first two episodes, which featured Frank Gorshin as the first "Special Guest Villain," The Riddler, the program was quite hard-nosed, pretty straight and sinister (considering the costuming of the lead players), and actually somewhat poignant with the performance of Jill St. John. I would compare these first two episodes with any adventure series and say that they hold their own.

Of course, what happened was that with the wild Rogue's Gallery of villains, the over-the-top costuming, the dutch angle camera setups, with the straight-laced line reads of the two heroes, and the bugle like narration of "Desmond Doomsday" (the alias for Producer William Dozier) Batman was destined to be seen as nothing but pure camp. Not that that's bad, unless you feel this tarnished the legend of The Caped Crusader.

Meanwhile, the show became the hottest thing happening, nearly overnight. All sorts of acting greats wanted their chance to challenge the Dynamic Duo, and unlikely villains played by Liberace, Van Johnson, Art Carney and Zsa Zsa Gabor all appeared, in addition to the semi-regular performers, Caesar Romero, Burgess Meredith, Julie Newmar and the aforementioned Gorshin. Those that couldn't be villains turned up in cameos, from Dick Clark to Sammy Davis Jr. to Santa Claus (as portrayed by old time actor Andy Divine) all had a moment of Batman and Robin's time. Though perhaps the most puzzling cameo was when Colonel Klink of "Hogan's Heroes" turned up at a Gotham City window. Not only was he from presumably 23 years in the past, he would have been a Nazi in an American city AND he was from a program on another network! If you know of an explanation for this, please pass it along.

The elements that made the show work were the Batmobile, a beautiful and evocative vehicle that transported the heroes from their secret location the 14 miles to Gotham City before the opening credits for that episode were finished. It's still one of the most instantly recognized automobiles, based on the 1955 Lincoln Futura and restyled by George Barris. Add in the gadgetry, Batman's utility belt, the bust of Shakespeare that held the switch that opened the bookcase... "To the batpoles!" and of course, the talents of the stars, Adam West, Burt Ward, Alan Napier, who was nothing short of brilliant as Alfred, Neil Hamilton and Stafford Repp as the commissioner and chief of police and later the charm of Yvonne Craig as the addition to create "The Terrific Trio."

But even as the formula was working, it was wearing out its welcome as it went, and by the time the show started their third season, the ratings were clearly slipping possibly due to the tone change making the episodes sillier rather than more adventuresome. Despite the addition of Batgirl, and a change in the format so that each episode was self contained, rather than having a two part cliffhanger, the magical run ended and ABC canceled it.

There was a rumor that NBC was interested in giving the program a fourth season, however 20th Century Fox, the production company for the series had already demolished the centerpiece of the program, the batcave set, and NBC was unwilling to spend the time and money to rebuild it.

Probably just as well, as Batman has since been through numerous incarnations to get back to the standard that Bob Kane originally had for him.

Is a Classic

[gustavlem · 10/10 · 20 December 2002]

I enjoy this Batman because is funny, you can laugh a lot watching this show, has beautiful girls specially Batgirl and funny villains. Is one of my favorite shows, doesn't have sex, violence or drugs. Kids can watch this show and find it very entertaining. Is a real classic. Better than the dark movies.

10 STARS

Way better than modern Batman movies

[michelleishappy · 6/10 · 20 February 2022]

Lighthearted crime-fighting classic TV show. This is how Batman really is--not the dark, sinister-looking BORING Batman movies of modern days. This is the Batman I choose to remember, and it always brings a smile to my face. West and Ward are the REAL "DYNAMIC DUO."

Laughs From The Book Of Exodus

[animal_8_5 · 9/10 · 30 July 2006]

Bob Kane created Batman to be a creature of the night, but in the 1950s comics became so macabre (with be-headings, torture and other select anti-social behavior), the comics code authority came into being. It made comic books conform to such ridiculous restrictions, its a wonder the genre ever survived beyond 1960. The writers of the Batman TV show probably HAD to sling "camp" just to stay sane.

William Dozier had passed over such talents as Lyle Waggoner, to hire Adam West (Bruce Wayne/Batman) and Burt Ward (Dick Grayson/Robin) to be the show's stars. The real stars were the Batmobile and the criminals: Catwoman (Julie Newmar, Lee Meriwether and Eartha Kitt), Joker (Cesar Romero), Riddler (Frank Gorshin), Penguin (Burgess Meredith), Egghead (Vincent Price), Mr. Freeze (Otto Preminger) and many, MANY more! Batman and his teen sidekick Robin the Boy Wonder, were depicted as pristine, out-of-touch do-gooders, who seemed to be fighting a losing battle against hip and groovy criminals. I loved the Batmobile and of course, the labeling of every gadget in the Batcave, including the Batpoles (one labeled "BRUCE" and the other "DICK") always killed me. I laughed myself off my chair during the episode where philanthropist Bruce Wayne is awarded "The Golden Calf". You have to read the Book of Exodus to get the gag here. A little mashugginah with your coffee...?

Every boy who watched the show wished they had a Shakespeare head they could flip up to switch open a wall, revealing a secret entrance to a more exciting life! The Dynamic Duo's rationale for solving riddles, or clues always left me snickering to the point of near-death.

Then I'd revive myself by watching tomorrow's thrilling conclusion! What a Bat-hoot!

All Those Bright Colors!

[possumopossum · 7/10 · 28 March 2007]

I saw most of these in black and white. We didn't get our first color set until 1969, and I tried to imagine what it would look like in color. It was nothing like I pictured it. I thought it would look more noirish with a lot of dark colors. The first time I went to my dad's house one Saturcay and saw it in color, I was amazed. (In Birmingham, Alabama where I grew up, the show aired Wednesday and Saturday nights for some reason) I loved all those bright colors. Like many kids, I was annoyed when adults made fun of the silliness that was this show, but I enjoy it now, laughing at it for the same reasons. (By the way, the reviewer who said kids would love this show was wrong. I showed the movie to my then nine year old son, and five minutes into it, he looked at me, all serious business and said, "Dad, this movie sucks.") Anyway, like I said, I loved the bright colors, I collected the trading cards, and I also remember the Batman board game. If I remember, it was a mix and match game that was run on batteries and an electric light bulb lit up for correct answers. I had a Batman record, I started reading the comics. I was BATS (har!) Those "holy" comments from Robin were a hoot. (By the way, those comments have no place in these newer movies that have come out in the last eighteen years or so. For this show, perfect, but in the newer movies, they just sound stupid.) The Riddler was my favorite bat villain. I like the way he laughed and jumped around. I also loved George Sanders as Mr. Freeze. He gave Freeze a more menacing quality than Otto Preminger did. The less said about Arnold Schwarzenegger, the better.

Even as a kid, I knew what the Batman comics were all about, how he was the vigilante who was trying to avenge the murder of his parents. Back then, who cared? Those themes were too mature for an eleven year old kid. Now, I compare this with the original comic, and I appreciate how it laughs at itself. This show was a spoof, and when seen in that light, it is an enjoyable show, even for fans of the more brooding, dark-hued version. Sometimes, it's great to laugh at the things that we tend to take so seriously. It keeps a little balance and sanity in our lives.

Still a great show, for different reasons now than when I was a kid. As I said of the movie, silly, juvenile fun. Taken at its own terms, a helluva ride. 7 out of 10.

WHACK! BANG! KAPOW!

[paulwattriley · 9/10 · 17 January 2021]

Holy Macaroni! Batman what is not to love about this show, its fun, outrageous, unbelievable, did I say fun? Its what a comic superhero should be.

Yes in modern day people want more realism, they want characters to be dark, they want gore, they want violence, they want character development and relationships. However what happened to just pure honest slapstick fun.

A real BLAST from the past

[sharonlang59 · 7/10 · 24 July 2018]

I watched this show when it first came on TV in the 60s. It was the highlight of my school week along with "I Dream of Jeanie", "Bewitched " and "Gilligan's Island", "Lost in Space" and all those other wonderful shows of the era. Even though the show was totally ridiculous with repetitive plot lines played out by different villains assisted by their Henchmen and seductive women, as a small child I was mesmerised by the costumes and the fights where no one ever really got hurt. Flash forward to 2018.. and I watch it on cable tv. It makes me laugh so much..especially the way everything in the bat cave and bat mobile are labelled. I loved the episode when Alfred the butler had to pretend to be Batman complete with a moustache and Bruce Wayne changed into his "spare costume" behind some bushes in literally a few seconds.

Oh My God I am crying, my favorite show forever

[guillevica · 10/10 · 29 March 2019]

This show was my childhood, so diferent, so unique, so amazing, i really enjoyed every single episode, To be honest nowadays all this brains are gone nothing like all time, the best days

Tune In Tomorrow - Same Bat-Time! Same Bat-Channel!

[strong-122-478885 · 6/10 · 11 September 2015]

You know what? If I didn't know better, I'd honestly swear that this decidedly over-the-top, 1960s, live-action, superhero spoof had been directed by the likes of schlock film-maker, Ed Wood.

What I mean by that is (put plain & simple) TV's "Batman" was so bad that (Surprise! Surprise!) it was actually pretty-damn good!

Clearly aimed at a very adolescent viewing audience - I'm glad to say that this did not, in any way, destroy Batman's overall appeal and charm to a critical adult viewer, like myself.

One of this vintage TV show's greatest assets was that it actually dared to poke plenty of goofy, off-the-wall fun at all the annoying dead-seriousness that surrounds the likes of comic book superheroes. And if you ask me - It was certainly about time that someone finally got around to throwing a pie in the face of Batman. (I just wish this would happen more often)

Starring Adam West and Burt Ward as the fearless dynamic duo, Batman & Robin - Believe me, this TV series was a real hoot. Watching these 2 caped crusaders bravely protect Gotham City from such diabolical super-villains as Penguin, Riddler and Joker was truly priceless crime-fighting fun.

"POW!"... "BAM!"... "ZONK!"

Batman

[jboothmillard · 5/10 · 19 April 2005]

When I was younger anything with Batman in it was my favourite, this was one of them! With a good music and song to start the episode the rest is good. Adam West plays Bruce Wayne and Batman and Burt Ward plays Dick Grayson and Robin. Both had really amusing (but still good) costumes, especially Robin with his green knickers. My favourite part of any Batman was The Joker. In this one he was okay, played by Cesar Romero. There was also the likes of The Penguin (Burgess Meredith), The Riddler (Frank Gorshin) and The Catwoman (Julie Newmar). Every episode there was a good fight, and every episode these fights had colourful words on the screen (like a comic book). Pow! Wham! Holy hell! It was nominated for 3 Emmys. Batman was number 84 on The 100 Greatest Pop Culture Icons, and the programme was number 48 on The 100 Greatest Kids' TV Shows. Worth watching!