January 2006 marks the 40th anniversary of an American Legend. BATMAN: The Series premiered and changed the way people thought of the Dark Knight. The series was so popular that most well known actors such as Sammie Davis Jr. Dick Clark and Jerry Lewis were only a few to get cameo's in the ever popular Bat Climb.

Today, though very campy, the show is still alive in the hearts of those who grew up with it.

BYTB was able to ask TV's Own Batgirl, Ms. Yvonne Craig a few questions about her time as Batgirl. I hope you enjoy it!

First, I'd like to say thank you for taking a few moments out of your busy schedule to answer these questions. BYTB: What was it like being Batgirl?
Y.C.: It was just terrific - it was great going to a job that you enjoyed doing so much and then finding out they would even pay you for showing up - chuckle

BYTB: The series is 40 years old, however, the legend of Batman is over 65, are you glad that you will be known for being a part of the Batman legend?
Y.C.: Absolutely. I'm always honored to have been a part of such an innovative series.

BYTB: You've had several more traditional "girl" roles over the years, but at the same time you've mentioned enjoying hobbies like hiking and motorcycling. Did this dichotomy help you have more fun with Batgirl and her librarian/crimefighter sides?
Y.C.: I rode a motorcycle before getting the job - probably helped in getting the job actually - I've enjoyed hiking because it allows you to get back into areas that you can't see from the road - my husband and I have done extensive adventure travel over the past 30 years. Because I was a dancer and could ride a motorcycle I'm sure added to the interest of the people hiring me.

BYTB: Have you been approached for or considered doing animated voice work (Batman or otherwise)?
Y.C.: I do voice over work now and would love to be involved with doing animated voice over which I haven't done - my website has a contact as well as a voice over sample - CLICK HERE!

BYTB: Batgirl is considered by many to be a role model for young girls everywhere. How do you feel about it, and your own contribution to the character?
Y.C.: Actually, at the time of shooting this series, "role models" were not even a part of the English vocabulary. Fortunately, as I look back I can see that perhaps Batgirl was a role model, but we certainly didn't have that in mind at the time of the show. This credit of course goes to the writers for having developed a character that was strong and honest and had good morals. I enjoyed playing the role and am always happy to hear someone say that it gave them direction to become a librarian or go into law enforcement etc. so am happy if in that way her character was a positive influence in someone's life.

BYTB: From everything I've ever read, it seems that you've always wanted to have fun with what you do in life. How important is it to you now, especially compared to earlier in your career?
Y.C. I've always believed that success is loving what you do and doing what you love. This is still important to me - just as important as it was earlier on in my career.

BYTB: What did you think of the Batgirl portrayals after you played the part (Batman: TAS, Batman and Robin)?
Y.C.: I've gone into lengthly explanations on my website and in my autobiography in regards to this subject and just don't have the time to do it again here.

BYTB: What if any comics or cartoons did you read/watch as a kid?
Y.C.: Actually none - I wasn't a comic book person - bought one Archie and Veronica once, but didn't follow cartoons or comics as a child

BYTB: Did you have any comic background studying you did for the role of Batgirl?
Y.C.: Not really - you either have a sense of comedy timing or you don't -

BYTB: Is there anything you would have changed?
Y.C.: Nope

Now, a few questions from the members:

BATCROZ:
-How much preparation did you do for the "Batgirl" role?
Y.C.: I was a dancer for years prior to doing the show so I could add those years of dance training and preparation and come up with some number of years of preparation, but I think that is actually who you are and what your background has been before interviewing for a role and if chosen you just bring those talents with you for the role. There was no official pre-preparation for this role - other than the fact that I needed to spend some time watching some of the already existing episodes of this series as I had never seen it before, and needed to get some idea of the series that I was about to join.

-And just out of curiosity...who really steals Batgirl's heart, Batman or Robin?
Y.C.: Good question, but since the writers never actually wrote that in I can't answer - there seemed to be more flirting going on between Batman and Batgirl, but nothing in a romantic nature was ever written into the script in the 60's series.

BATBOY99:
A lot of men had a crush on you as batgirl (including my dad lol) what was it like walking on the street with die hard fans following you?
Y.C.: This question pertains more to actresses of this era and not 40 years ago - times were different, people polite and this was never an issue

CRISIS:
Who was your best friend on stage?
Y.C.: If this still pertains to this series, I didn't have a best friend - we shot an episode and a 1/2 per week - any down time was spent trying to rehearse lines or stunts and there wasn't time to sit around and visit

- I did enjoy when Vincent Prince was on the set as he was such an intelligent man and always had wonderful stories to tell - we were not "best friends" however, so I guess the answer would be no one. PIPECITO2112_YYZ1980: Did you read the Batgirl publications or get know about the character you helped to portray on screen and pop culture??
Y.C.: I knew nothing of this character prior to showing up for work and reading the lines that had been written for her. I didn't follow the comics or the portrayal of her character that had just recently been added to the mix.

BONN777:
Yvonne's 1967 TV Guide interview mentions her use of a "mock judo chop" while rehearsing a fight scene. Unfortunately, the producers nixed any martial arts fighting techniques. My three questions about this are:

1) What episode would have contained this fight scene?
Y.C.: I give up - this was 40 years ago and I haven't watched many of the episodes since - I haven't a clue

2) Did You ever have any martial arts training?
Y.C.: No I didn't

3) Was your kick-fighting style modeled after any specific performance? (Vera Ellen's kick-fighting in the movie "On The Town" comes to mind)
Y.C.: Not to my knowledge - I used my dance background and just more or less winged it - I think you are probably looking for far more complex answers than exist -

You are looking back and trying to figure out what motivated certain things and the best answer is that we went with what we thought was going to work for a scene and it wasn't calculated or trained or even rehearsed for any long periods of time, because we just didn't have the luxury of a lot of time with shooting the series in the manner that we did . We tried it and if it worked on camera, it ended up in the scene.

Ms. Craig had this to say about BYTB:
I've looked at the website and found it to be extremely informative - must be wonderful for fans to be able to go in and find so much information on various Batman related subjects, items and events. It is a well done website and I'm sure someone has spent hours on keeping things up-dated. Great job!

Again, we'd like to say thank you to Ms. Craig for taking the time to awnser these questions.

For more on Yvonne and her work check out her website: YVVONE CRAIG.com

To Discuss this Interview: CLICK HERE

To find out more about the show: CLICK HERE

Learn more about the Batmobile: HERE!