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This Week's Batman TV Almanac (1/7-13/07) |
AH3RD
Posts: 61
Location: New Orleans, LA
Joined: 14.01.06
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| Posted on 07-01-2007 08:08 |
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JANUARY 12, 1966
"Hi Diddle Riddle" (prod. #6028-Pt. 1) first aired @ 7:30p.m. EST on ABC as the premiere episode of Batman, a thrilling new 30-minute action series based upon the characters created by Bob Kane appearing in Batman and Detective Comics Magazine published by National Periodical Publications, Inc., starring Adam West and Burt Ward and executive-produced/narrated by William Dozier.
First appearance of the late Frank Gorshin as The Riddler.
It was based on "Remarkable Ruse of the Riddler" from Batman #171 (May 1965), written by Gardner Fox; in it, The Riddler, jealous of the attention Batman is giving The Mole Hill Mob, arranges a trap so Batman will apprehend the gang and give The Riddler The Caped Crusader's undivided attention. Aunt Harriet Cooper (Madge Blake) was written into the series to counter the rumors that Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson were gay. The series producers felt that a female aunt would "round out" Wayne Manor.
The series would add a feature film version released by 20th Century-Fox in July 1966, and would air on ABC for 2 1/2 seasons and 120 shows until March 14, 1968. It has maintained a huge cult status in the rerun circuit ever since.
Holy Longevity, Batman! Your popularity in TV reruns'll exist beyond the end of time! Happy 41st Television Anniversary!!!
JANUARY 13, 1966
"Smack In The Middle" (prod. #6028-Pt. 2) first aired @ 7:30p.m. EST on ABC as the 2nd episode of Batman.
This is one of only two episodes of Batman in which characters lose their lives; the second is Episode #8705-Pt. 2, "A Death Worse Than Fate," wherein the gunmen, intending to drill Batman and Robin full of bullets, shoot each other to death as The Dynamic Duo dodge them, aided by Zelda The Great (Anne Baxter).
The Riddler's maniacal high-pitched giggle was inspired by the character Tommy Udo (portrayed by Richard Widmark) in the 1947 20th Century-Fox crime film-noir Kiss Of Death.
The Batmobile's ever-popular Emergency Bat-Turn Lever is put into use for the first time in this episode. In all the scenes of the villains hideouts, the camera is slanted at an angle, almost "crooked"--to reflect the villains' being crooked themselves! The scene of The Batmobile leaving The Batcave to race the remaining 14 miles to Gotham was really filmed at Bronson Cavern in Hollywood Hills. This cave was used in many horror films including Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (Allied Artists, 1956). The problem they ran into when filming the scene was that The Batmobile was just about the same width as the cave entrance. To keep from ripping the fenders off of George Barris's creation, they undercranked the cameras so it could come out slowly and then later speed up the film to give the illusion of speed!
The exterior shots of Wayne Manor were really filmed at 380 South San Rafel Ave, Pasedena, CA.
JANUARY 11, 1967
"The Zodiac Crimes" (prod. #9733-Pt. 1) first aired @ 7:30p.m. EST on ABC as the 71st episode of Batman.
These episodes were the series' first of 3 three-parters, simultaneously celebrating the show's one-year anniversary and helping to open ABC's second season.
Terry Moore (Venus) is best remembered for her role as Jill Young in Mighty Joe Young (RKO, 1949).
Dick Crockett (Neptune) portrayed Morgan in the 1966 Batman feature film.
The astrological name for The Crab is actually Cancer; it was changed to "Crustacean" for the TV show.
JANUARY 12, 1967
"The Joker's Hard Times" (prod. #9733-Pt. 2) first aired @ 7:30p.m. EST on ABC as the 72nd episode of Batman.
Part 2 of a 3-chapter story.
Plans to stitch these episodes together and release them as a second Batman feature film in Europe never reached fruition.
JANUARY 11, 1968
"Louie's Lethal Lilac Time" (prod. #1718) first aired @ 7:30p.m. EST on ABC as the 112th episode of Batman.
The second and final performance by the late, great Uncle Miltie as Louie The Lilac.
Footage of the driverless Batmobile is gleaned from Season-2 episode #9741-Pt. 2, "Penguin Sets A Trend."
In a twist on previous episodes, The Dynamic Duo disappear and Batgirl is left to ponder on who the two of them really are.
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RE: This Week's Batman TV Almanac (1/7-13/07) |
real-dark-knight
Posts: 726
Location: The Shadow Of St Albans Abbey
Joined: 28.07.06
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| Posted on 08-01-2007 15:39 |
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I've had a bit of a clearout out over Christmas, and I've dumped a massive pile of old VHS tapes - one of the things that I saved was 2 tapes of Batman 66. Each one has about 8 or 10 episodes on; they're recorded on an old video with long play facility - I dunno how watchable they'll be but I'm going to give them a go...............
There's a decent Ebayer who'll do the whole of the 66 series on DVD-r for ?30, reading this these TV weekly posts I'm more tempted than ever.
I've got to say I don't recall Louie The Lilac.............. |
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RE: This was one memorable week! |
Catfan
Posts: 262
Location: Upstate New York
Joined: 23.07.06
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| Posted on 09-01-2007 16:14 |
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Do I LOVE this week!
The premiere episodes of Batman are my all-time favourites! You should be able to figure this out from my avatar of Molly the Mole. I guess I fell in love with Jill St. John 41 years ago this week!
Seriously, the show made a huge impact on me at the time, and it has remained so since. What else can I say?
One note: The presence of Inspector Basch (Michael Fox) was clearly a reference to another ABC crime drama appearing at this time: The FBI, which ran from 1965 to 1974. That show starred Efrem Zimbalist Jr., who went on to play Alfred Pennyworth in Batman: The Animated Series.
Located at http://www.catwomanfan.com
The 1965 FBI Tribute site
MySpace: Batman 1969
Edited by Catfan on 09-01-2007 16:16 |
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RE: This Week's Batman TV Almanac (1/7-13/07) |
spencer1984
Posts: 1271
Location: Upstate NY
Joined: 30.06.05
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| Posted on 10-01-2007 10:43 |
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Can't fault anyone for a JSJ following - she was the only one to be able to match wits with both Batman and James Bond 
The complete history of the Batmobile: BatmobileHistory.com
Scale models of Batmobiles & more: spencer1984.com |
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