Batman (Ford Lincoln Futura Concept) 1955
Batman
Batman is a 1960s American live action television series, based on the DC comic book character of the same name. It starred Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin — two crime-fighting heroes who defend Gotham City. It aired on the ABC network for three seasons from January 12, 1966 to March 14, 1968.ranked 82nd greatest American television show of all time.
Theme Tune
“Batman Theme”, the title song of the 1966 Batman TV series, was composed by Neal Hefti. This song is built around a guitar hook reminiscent of spy film scores and surf music. It has a twelve bar blues progression, using only three chords until the coda.
The eleven cries of “Batman!” are sung by a chorus of four tenors and four sopranos (performed by The Ron Hicklin Singers). A long held myth purports that the chorus is actually a group of horns.
Cast
Adam West … Batman / … (120 episodes, 1966-1968)
Burt Ward … Robin / … (120 episodes, 1966-1968)
Alan Napier … Alfred / … (120 episodes, 1966-1968)
Neil Hamilton … Commissioner Gordon (120 episodes, 1966-1968)
Stafford Repp … Chief O’Hara (120 episodes, 1966-1968)
Madge Blake … Mrs. Cooper (96 episodes, 1966-1967)
Quote
[about to zoom out of The Batcave!]
Robin: Atomic batteries to power. Turbines to speed.
Batman: Roger. Ready to move out.
Trivia
The actor who played the villain would always be credited as the “Special Guest Villain”
In late 1965 20th Century Fox Television and William Dozier’s Greenway Productions contracted renowned Hollywood car customizer Dean Jeffries to design and build a ‘Batmobile‘ for their upcoming Batman TV series. He started customizing a 1959 Cadillac, but when the studio wanted the program on the air in January 1966, and therefore filming sooner than he could provide the car, Jeffries was paid off, and the project went to George Barris.
What became the iconic Batmobile used in the 1966–1968 live action television show and its film adaptation was a customized vehicle that originated as a one-off 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car, created by Ford Motor Company lead stylists Bill Schmidt, Doug Poole Sr., and John Najjar and their design team at the Lincoln Styling Department.
This Batmobile’s gadgets include a nose-mounted aluminum Cable Cutter Blade, Bat Ray Projector, Anti-Theft Device, Detect-a-scope, Batscope, Bat Eye Switch, Antenna Activator, Police Band Cut-In Switch, Automatic Tire Inflation Device, Remote Batcomputer—radio linked to the main Batcomputer in the Batcave, the Batphone, Emergency Bat Turn Lever, Anti-Fire Activator, Bat Smoke, Bat Photoscope, and many other Bat gadgets.
The show was aired twice weekly for its first two seasons and weekly for the third, with a total of 120 episodes produced during its run. The program was known for its upbeat theme music and camp moral lessons, which included championing the importance of using seat belts, doing homework and drinking milk among children
Quote
Alfred Pennyworth: [whispering to Bruce Wayne at the beginning of most every episode] It’s the Bat-Phone.
Trivia
After ABC canceled the series, the producers waited to see if anyone else would pick it up, then bulldozed the Batcave set when it appeared nobody would. Two weeks later, NBC offered to pick it up, unaware that the set had already been dismantled; unwilling to invest in the high cost of rebuilding the entire set, NBC ultimately declined to acquire the series.
Quote
Batman: Come on, Robin, to the Bat Cave! There’s not a moment to lose!
Batman: To the Batcave!
Batman: Quick! To the Batmobile!
Info
| Production companies |
Greenway Productions 20th Century Fox Television |
|---|---|
| Distributor | 20th Television (all rights, 1966–2014; primary distribution rights, 2014–2020) Disney Platform Distribution (primary distribution rights, 2020–present) Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (home video rights, 2014–present) |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Picture format |
16mm film Original broadcasts: 480i Blu-ray edition: 1080p (HDTV) |
| Audio format | Monaural |
| Original release | January 12, 1966 – March 14, 1968 |
Trivia
Fight scenes used 88 unique word overlays, alphabetically from “!ox?-eth!” and “Aieee!” to “Zzzzzwap!” “Kapow!” was used 54 times, “Boff!” and “Pow!!” were tied at 53 times each, and 32 overlays were used only once. The overlays appeared 832 times, with a total of 1120 exclamation points. The most exclamation points used in one overlay was in “Biff!!!!” Batman: The Great Train Robbery (1968) had the most overlays: 18. Batman: The Great Escape (1968) and Batman: Minerva, Mayhem and Millionaires (1968) have the most overlays in a single bat-fight: 15.
QUIZ 1
What are the true identities of Batman and Robin ?
A. Alfred Butler and Robin Grant
B. Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson
C. Bruce Wayne and Robin Ward
D. Bruce Butler and Rick Grayson
Press for Answer
B. Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson
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QUIZ 2
Which one of these was NOT a vehicle that Batman and Robin used at some point during the show ?
A. Batplane
B. Batboat
C. Batcycle
D. Batcopter
Press for Answer
A. Batplane
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QUIZ 1
What are the true identities of Batman and Robin ?
A. Alfred Butler and Robin Grant
B. Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson
C. Bruce Wayne and Robin Ward
D. Bruce Butler and Rick Grayson
Based on the DC comic book character of the same name. It stars Adam West as Bruce Wayne / Batman and Burt Ward as Dick Grayson / Robin – two crime-fighting heroes who defend Gotham City from a variety of archvillains
QUIZ 2
Which one of these was NOT a vehicle that Batman and Robin used at some point during the show ?
A. Batplane
B. Batboat
C. Batcycle
D. Batcopter
The Batplane was never used in the series. It would have cost too much to build and fly.
The first full-length feature film about Batman was released 50 years ago and they had some of the best vehicles including a lot of original ones that haven’t been used in any other movie like the Batcopter.
The Batcopter was a fully functional helicopter that was leased by 20th Century Fox and was the only Batman vehicle that they didn’t own. Although it doesn’t have the dark, black, batty look as the other vehicles we will see, it was surely one of the coolest.
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