Batman (1966 version) (5 Stars)

Dancer's Top Films #13

This is the first and best Batman film. That's my opinion, and nothing will make me change my mind. It's a spin off of the Batman TV series. It was filmed immediately after the end of the first season. It's obvious from comparing the film with the TV series that more money was invested. The production quality is better, and there are more extras.

There's one place that extra money wasn't invested: Adam West's salary. He says that he was paid $60 for making the film. No, I didn't forget a few zeroes. Sixty dollars. That wasn't much money, even in 1966. He was badly exploited. Even though he was given free food and a trailer to live in, it's shameful. He was locked into a contract with the television studio. In late 1965 he was unemployed and desperate for work, so he accepted the job playing Batman for $20 a week, plus food and accommodation. The film was made as part of the same contract, and the filming lasted three weeks: sixty dollars.

Adam West also didn't receive royalties for the many, many repeat showings of the series on television. The series was made before actors were eligible for royalties. A contract guaranteeing royalties wasn't signed until 1974, and it only covered series broadcast for the first time after that date.

In later years Adam West laughed about it. Even though he hardly earned any money at the time, "Batman" made him rich. It made him famous, and it gave him the opportunity to earn money from guest appearances in later television shows.

The film stars not one, not two, not three, but four of Batman's best known villains. Burgess Meredith appears as the Penguin, Frank Gorshin as the Riddler and Cesar Romero as the Joker. Julie Newmar, who played Catwoman in the series, was unable to appear due to a back injury, so she was replaced by Lee Meriwether.

Lee Meriwether is a very good replacement. She has the same sultry beauty as Julie Newmar, and they have similar figures. Despite having sharp claws, she doesn't get involved in fights. She lets her three villainous partners throw all the punches. She caries a whip, but she doesn't use it.

Frank Gorshin is brilliant as the Riddler. He had the same zany sense of humour in real life. While his three fellow villains plan crimes, he puts all his effort into riddles that can be given as clues. For instance:

Q: "What weighs six ounces, sits in a tree and is very dangerous?"

A: "A sparrow with a machine gun".

It's obvious, isn't it?

The Joker jumps around laughing, usually at his own diabolical plans.

I have to apologise for this screenshot of the Penguin. I dislike smoking intensely, so I've avoided posting photos of cigarettes since I started this blog. Even when smoking is important to the plot, such as in "Basic Instinct", I haven't posted photos of cigarettes. I've made an exception in this case, because the Penguin always has a cigarette in his mouth on the end of that stick. What's it called?

Robin is furious with the villains. "How dare you try to conquer the world! Did you know that Batman is only getting paid $60 to stop you?"

The film is ridiculously over-the-top. It can't be taken seriously. That's what makes it so good.

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At the time of writing this post, there are problems with the availability of this film. It's either very expensive or impossible to buy at all. I recommend that you buy the German Blu-ray, which includes the original English dialogue.