How Adam West's Batman Lit the Way for the Dark Knight
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- Опубліковано 2 лип 2024
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▶Chapters:
0:00 - Intro / Bat-Opinions May Vary
01:17 - The Most Important Batman Ever
05:43 - Pure. West.
10:14 - Holy Enduring Characterization!
13:34 - Rogues of Renown
16:21 - Batmania Leads to Bat-Movie!
19:09 - Conclusion: A Batman for All Bat-Time - Розваги
Burt Ward ad-libbed "Holy priceless collection of Etruscan snoods!" in response to a museum heist, and it's one of the few times you can see Adam West crack a smile.
Which episode is this? :O
The Episode is named Catwoman's Dressed to Kill, in the third season.
@@veramae4098 There were I think two Green Hornet crossovers where Bruce Lee guested on Batman, popping out of a window as they climb up the wall, and in another episode Bruce, as Kato, fights Robin (to a draw) :) I like when shows guest random celebrities like that, it's like when Robin Williams showed up in Friends
Only one person was killed in the Bat cave during the series. Jill St. John as " Molly"
a girl who was misled by the Riddler.
"Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb!"
To quote Charlie Brooker; that's exactly how the Dark Knight Rises also ended.
Oh gawd it's true!
That is insight worthy of Aristotle.
No, seriously. Thanks for pointing that out. 👍
I never made that connection, because I love Batman: The Movie, and Dark Knight Rises is one of the dullest experiences I have ever had in a theatre.
@@renatocorvaro6924 I love Batman. But I fear I'm one of the few fans who frowns at the mention of Nolan's trilogy. Particularly DKR. I'll never understand why people think its a great movie.
@@williamwatson4354 The Critical Drinker said it the best: the Nolan trilogy has one really good movie that props the other two up.
Robin: "You can't get away from Batman that easy!"
Batman: "Easily."
Robin: "Easily!"
Batman: "Good grammar is important, Robin."
I always loved that one.
Followed by a little exchange of
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
To explain the power of the 1960s "Batman" -- I was hit by a car in an Orlando neighborhood when I was a kid. 1975. I was 7 or 8. A kindly woman took me inside her home, and turned on the television. I know there were paramedics who checked me. I know there were cops who talked to me. I know at some point my mom must have picked me up. But what I vividly remember from the whole affair isn't being hit by a car and the parade of events following. It's watching "Batman" in color for the first time in my life. I totally forgot about my pain.
Somewhat coincidentally I posted this on Facebook on this day 3 years ago:
"Look we can argue about Bat-men all day but only Adam West and Kevin Conroy were brave enough to fight crime without super advanced military armor."
In my defense I was not aware of the 40s content at the time.
But I agree, it's not heroic to use a tank to run down criminals in a car
I remember my older brother being disappointed because Batman wasn't serious. He never watched it.
@@Tymbus That's the point, though. In Arkham Knight, Batman is being influenced by the Joker's Titan-infused blood, hence why he's now so much more brutal. He's NOT a hero anymore. He's a vigilante, and half of the suspense of the game is wondering if and when Batman will break his one rule, because he's no longer "afraid" to do what he thinks is necessary.
Except Kevin conroy Batman's are shown multiple times fighting with high tech armour ..... batman beyond series even. A few episodes of justice League unlimited show batman wearing armour and then theirs Arkham games all his suits in those are high tech it isn't just cloth and Cape can't forget about injustice man literally has a kryptonite suit in the game
Loosely paraphrasing from dim memory, but ... "Have you ever noticed, Robin, how we always triumph over these villains?" "Yeah, because we're smarter than they are!" "I prefer to think it is because ... our hearts are pure." Great, great stuff.
Commissioner Gordon never caught on to how Alfreds voice was on the phone when he'd call either Bruce Wayne or Batman. Classic.
Omfg I just watched that episode
My favorite bit from the 60s Batman movie has always been the Giant Lighted Lucite Map of Gotham City conveniently labeled “Giant Lighted Lucite Map of Gotham City.”
I actually laughed out loud. This is like the fourth wall shattering of chowder or regular show but in love action.
Ever notice how Alfred can easily talk to commissioner Gordon on the phone with out Gordon ever getting suspicious that both Bruce Wayne and Batman have the same assistant answering the phone?.
" Robin.......the Bat shark repellant , hurry !!!".
" Robin.....prepare for a Bat turn !!!!
."
As a little red-haired girl growing up in the 60’s, Batgirl was everything to me!
Recently rewatched it.. Batman and Robin where... dumb as stumps, but everyone else in their world was even more cartoony and dumb, so, not a big deal. The last... season, on the other hand was, "Lets add a Batgirl, then make her virtually helpless, and not as smart.", followed by, "And, oh, while we are at it, lets have an episode where the cartoon villain picks the most self obsessed, self absorbed, cliché 'women' possible to take over the police, so she could do absurd crimes without them getting the way."
Needless to say, as a pure "cartoon" its great, and its treatment of the characters was, "More or less what you might expect from the day."
Personally, I think, in some ways, it remains a classic, but, in others... it ages even more poorly than a lot of other stuff that was on at the time - an a lot of the stuff from back then had some bloody stupid ideas in them. This could have been "intentionally" funny, or calling out such thinking, but.. yeah, it just doesn't come across that way, given others did this better, and even the dialog is some screwing stuff along the line of, in the case of Bat Girl, "Yeah, we all know she is bad it this, shouldn't be doing it, and girls are bad at crime fighting, but.. what are you going to do, other than just respect the attempt, and try to protect her when she screws up." - .... OK....
But, yeah, what I grew up with, and watched, as a kid, and what, looking back at it again it actually was... is just kind of cringe.
I agree Yvonne craig was the best
HAHAHAHAHHAAHHA YOUR GINGER HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAA!!!!!!!!
@@PloopusProductions South park
Batgirl seemed very smart to me when I saw her for the first time on MeTV, and later on tubiTV. I hated the version later putting her having an affair with Batman. I absolutely hate the animated version of Killing Joke as a direct result. 😡
There's a great scene where West has to portray Bruce Wayne talking on the phone to Batman (with people listening, so he actually has to talk to himself) that's emblematic of the whole series. On the one hand, there's the hilarity as he tells himself how much Batman and Bruce Wayne are simply awesome guys who admire each other so much, but it also showcases West's acting. While his Batman/Bruce Wayne aren't as different as Conroy's, there is a difference, and the way he keeps switching back and forth quickly but the audience never loses track of which persona is doing the talking at any moment is something I've seen suggested is a test any actor aspiring to play the character should have to be able to pull off.
Robin " Holy oleo!"
Cat woman. " I didn't know you could yodel." Pure bizarre gold.
I hope that’s what that Brave and the Bold movie is going to do in auditioning.
Adam West also voiced the character of Catman in Fairly Odd Parents, one of the recurring characters that shared Timmy Turner's magical adventures in the series, and an obvious homage to West's version of Batman.
Also did the voice of 'The Fearless Ferret' in Kim Possible, And, of course, we cannot forget 'The Gray Ghost' in Batman TAS.
I think a big part of West's influence is because, for many fans, he *was* the silver age of comics, more than any other live action or even animated comic book series. That was part of the fun. Watching the show is very much like watching a comic book come to life.
I really don't know if a show like that could ever exist today. Too bad, too.
I think we’re entering an era where it absolutely could be made again, as long as it was by the right people with the right mentality. Stuff like Batman ‘66 would thrive on UA-cam these days, so I think it’s possible for purposeful camp to be successful in the mainstream.
@@rogerschneider5971 okay, but clearly you have the correct vision of what camp should be. you clearly understand the restraint required. why assume that other people can’t use that same understanding to make good media?
In 2009 a friend of mine and myself did a cosplay of Batman & Robin from the 1966 show. I got a big bomb and some signs with "pow", "zap", "boom" and "sploosh" and of course I had a dose of "Shark repllant". 😁 My friend played the role of Robin for about 2 years and I played the caped crusader the last time in 2017. But I will definitly put on the cape again when conventions starting again here in Germany. 😊
I'm an old guy now, but I grew up with Adam West as my Batman. He was a big part of my childhood. He was one of the 3 'Bs' of the 1960s...The Beatles, Bond and Batman. Loved Batman 66.
Like him or not Westman was the most influential Batman just like Christopher Reeves for Superman. These two kept the fire burning for 90's and laters Superhero movies.
In the series, the police act like they can not do anything with out Batman's help.
@@johnbockelie3899 Yes. That's the joke. You might not think it's funny, and humour is highly subjective so that's totally fair, but to criticise a series for doing something silly when the whole point was to do silly things, is silly.
I had pretty much the same experience you did - loving Batman as a kid, then rejecting it as cheesy when I was a teenager, then discovering it was actually brilliantly made intentional comedy as an adult. I don't know who I would be today if I hadn't watched that show in my formative years.
growing up as a kid in the 80's was awesome ... we had EVERYTHING in syndication ... Batman '66, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlett, Green Hornet, St: TOS, TOS Animated, and others (also 80's cartoons)
As well as Japanese imports like Ultraman and Jonny Sokko.
100% agree that Merideth’s penguin is still the penguin! Also, Catwoman taught my young growing mind a lot about itself. 😏
Your journey as a fan of the Adam West Batman almost exactly parallels my own.
The Bat tusi was on the pilot episode " Hi diddle riddle" .
Fuckin' same.
Back in 1989, a friend of mine and I decided to be Batman and Robin for Halloween. We patterned our costumes.after the Adam West Burt Ward version. When we went to the mall, ( back then customers some times wore their Halloween costumes there at the time)
People stared at us up and down.
Best Halloween ever.
As a child of the early 70s, Batman was one of the three shows that shaped my childhood TV experience. The other two were Lost In Space and Star Trek. I can completely identify with not getting the joke as a kid and taking it all very seriously. For me, one of the big highlights was seeing who the guest villain was going to be.
And how come Batman doesn't dance anymore?
But seriously, Adam West's Batman was great. He set a standard that everyone was compared to for decades. Heck, even Bale's Batman trilogy ends with, and Spoilers for Dark Knight Rises, "you just can't get rid of a bomb." Not to mention, that he is *my* generation's Batman's Batman, aka The Grey Ghost in Batman: The Animated Series, which is one of the all time best episodes of an all time great series made even more perfect by West's acting.
Pure. West.
Maybe he doesn't dance but... he sings. "Am I bluuuuuue..."
I'll always have a spot in my heart for Adam Wests Batman. He's the first live action batman I got to see. Even if the show was ment to be a comedy I liked it.
That’s why West rightly believed he should’ve starred in a movie of Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns: 1) he was the right age and 2) he recognized that Miller was also writing humor, just of a far more bleak variety…
I had the same experience. When we saw the show as a kid and then acting it out in play we would scoff as how stupid the bad guys were (why don't they just shoot Batman). Years later when I caught it in reruns I realized it was camp, stuff like John E. Carson, and the folks who opened windows when they were climbing walls. I then of course recognized that the people who played villains were pretty famous actors who came on to mug for the camera.
The Adam West version has actually held up better than many more modern versions.
I have always loved this version.
Batman '66 came on when I was five. I took the show as deadly serious. Some years later when I caught the movie on TV, I was stunned at how campy it was. That wasn't how I remembered it! That incident provoked my first real thoughts about mind and perception.
Steve, have you ever read any of the Doc Savage stories? It's amazing how many of the tropes for both Batman and Superman were lifted directly from that magazine. I mean, they literally did not try to hide it -- the very first issue of Doc Savage features is secret, hidden laboratory somewhere deep in the Arctic, where Doc would disappear for months at a time doing important, ground breaking research and stuff, in a story titled (no bullshit) "The Fortress of Solitude". Supes is a direct copy of Doc, but Batman also steals a LOT from him, including the gadgets, the utility belt, the refusal to kill, and the secret asylum for curing captured criminals.
I know you included a reference to the Grey Ghost in your examination of Batman: The Animated Series. However, it should be noted how Adam West was sadly typecast and unable to find any major work for the next two to three decades, until the Batman TV series was reappraised and West became an accepted celebrity at last. This reappraisal may have arguably begun with "Beware the Grey Ghost."
I'd love to see a video in this series about the bat-backlash that happened in response to Batman 66. Many Batfans HATED this version of Batman from the jump, and the dark and gritty turn Batman made in the 70s was a direct response to the campy version of their favorite very-serious hero (that sometimes wore zebra and rainbow versions of his costume and fought alongside such *serious* heroes as Bat-dog and Bat-ape 😜).
I had a similar experience--watched the show as a little kid, took it absolutely at face value and loved it as a straight superhero adventure, then gradually realized it was knowing camp when I was a college student. The show was very carefully constructed to work on multiple levels that way. Adam West knew he was playing to kids as much as to the smart-alecks in the audience.
Comics fans during the 1980s hated the '66 TV Batman SO MUCH, since he was so different from the Dark Knight Batman they liked, and they hated the popular perception that Batman was silly camp. When the 1989 movie came out many regarded it as a kind of lifting of the curse (though Burton's Gotham was also wacky and bizarre in its own way, they appreciated its pervasive darkness and the implication that not all was well with Bruce Wayne). These days, it's hard to see what the fuss was about, and DC has embraced "Batman '66" as a valid and celebrated Batman universe, but I guess we accept now that there can be many Batmen. In hindsight, the thing that surprises me now is to learn how comics-accurate the TV show actually was in 1966--several of the early episodes were lifted directly from comics stories.
My favorite usage of this iconic Batman was found in the Planetary/Batman "crossover" by Warren Ellis - "Planetary/Batman - Night on Earth. This one-shot from the Planetary series pays a wonderful homage to a wide variety of the Caped Crusader, but their take on the Adam West version is a delight.
I'm confused how anyone can believe there is a better Catwoman than Eartha Kitt, Eartha Kitt is just the best so by the transitive property of bestness she is the best Catwoman.
The story that stands out in my mind is Penguin running for mayor. Penguin goes full Barry Goldwater with "Extremism in the defense of vice, moderation in the pursuit of virtue" and of course who could forget his famous attack:
"Whenever you’ve seen Batman, who is he with? Criminals!!! That’s who. You look in the old newspapers - every picture of Batman shows him with thugs, and with thieves, and hobnobbing with crooks. Whereas my pictures show me always surrounded - by whom?! By the police."
I remember at the time the debate over who was better; Julie Newmar or Eartha Kitt? Was every bit as big a deal as Mary Ann versus Ginger!? Or earlier; Veronica vs. Betty!?😎😻😷
Julie Newmar seemed too ordinary and normal to me (same with Lee Meriwether), whereas Eartha Kitt was convincingly odd in a way that matched the performances of the best-known male villains. It's a shame she wasn't in the movie.
As a kid, I would come home from school and watch the 60s Batman show. I’m certain it’s why I love the character, and why I love the detective, campy side of Batman even though it’s not the most popular angle anymore.
Count me among those who found a new appreciation for Batman '66 as an adult. Like Steve, I watched it as a kid (dubbed in French; it used to play on a channel out of Quebec). Then Batman: The Animated Series came out in the 90s and I began to prefer that more serious tone. As an adult, I still feel nostalgic for Conroy's Batman, but I can also watch clips of Batman '66 and find them genuinely entertaining.
I'm watching this show right now and it's great. I especially enjoyed the first Catwoman episode. Her first appearance was the first time when the show did something with cinematography.
Adam West was the Silver Age Batman personified. I mean, every single episode felt like a 1950s or 1960s Batman comic book. I wish they had made a “The Joker Pulled a Boner!” episode. Sure, censors would have thrown a fit, but it would have been perfect for the show’s sense of humor.
Personally my favorite Batman will always be Kevin Conroy, just like my Joker will always be a former moisture farmer from Tatooine.
I did like that they got Adam West to do the voice of the Gray Ghost for the Animated Series. Brining in the previous voice of Batman to play the character that was a direct inspiration for the current version of the characters was just... *chef's kiss*
I love both Kevin Conroy's and Mark Hamill's takes on the character as well. Fun fact, Mark Hamill has cited Caeser Romero's version of the Joker as one of his influences for the character on the Animated Series. I think that comedy energy is just perfect for the Clown Prince of Crime, and that taking inspiration from one definitive version of the character helped in creating another definitive version of the character. In my opinion, both actors just seemed to get what the Joker was about.
Silver AND bronze age too. Some people think of the 70s as a huge departure from the 60s, but the process was way more gradual. What Dennis o'Neil and Neal Adams did was like a darker sequel to silver age. If you read the comics you'll notice that Batman still feels very Adam West-like, but in a slightly darker world with more dangerous foes, and usually alone (since Robin only appeared some times). To me Adam West is the pre-crisis earth one Batman, from 50s to early 80s.
In addition to the guest cast being so enjoyable, several of them came to the show from the Black List and found employment here, something I appreciate about the production team.
Growing up in the 1960s, I watched "Batman" before buying any of the comics, and especially loved the great Burgess Meredith (the show was my introduction to this gifted actor), Eartha Kitt, and Newmar. Frank Gorshin, under-appreciated then and now, was a favorite too, thanks for giving him that little tribute.
Robert Reed's homilies and delivery on the Brady Bunch remind me at times of Adam West's Batman from the Sixties series.
Batman 66 movie is probably my favorite Batman movie, I can always watch it whenever I come across it. The rest I gotta be in a mood for it.
At the same time as the serials, Batman ALSO notably made an "Appearance" on the Superman Radio show.
I think the series, while definitely a comedy, was still in a sense earnest and fun. I forget the actual wording, but the opening text dedicating the film to the fans "of adventure everywhere" (paraphrasing) was genuinely touching to me in a way. Love Adam West + Burt Ward. Great film and engaging video.
Glad I woke to this.
Love you, Steve. Good morning.
I could listen to your talks for hours.
Not gonna lie, hearing "Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!" gave me goosebumps.
Note that every Batmobile from Keaton to Pattinson to the animated shows always have that jet engine in the back in homage to the original TV show
Bale-Bat is a very strange duck. As self-serious as the Nolan trilogy is, Bale's truly bizarre choices in his performance throughout the three films honestly make him-- not West-- the Goofiest of All Batmen. Batman '66 might have been more overtly silly, but it did so on purpose. Any time I'm laughing at Bale's duckface or the fact he uses the Batman Voice when he's alone, that wasn't the reaction they were going for. It's a really odd take.
No, you see, his Batman is a method actor, just like Bale!
His performance works better in "begins" where his voice is moreover a slight rasp or whisper. Rewatch the scene where he talks with Rachel in the subway again. You'll see what I mean.
@@jb888888888 No, I get it. It doesn't stop it from being incredibly silly.
@@galactic85 BATDUCK!
@@nikoteardrop4904 Two things: 1. I agree with you but I *THINK* that jb8888888888888888888888888888888888888888's comment might be the impression they were going for
2. Regardless if they were aiming for it or not, it wouldn't surprise me, with how he ramped up the excesses of the character, if Bale did it on purpose to inject humour.
13:54 Thank you. Not enough love for this salsa dancer. His face might be my first memory ever, the animated but frightening clown.
Great video. Deserves a like just for the "Holy Olio" line.
What I like best about this video is that Steve so unashamedly and unabashedly loves Batman, just as he also loves Star Trek and most of the other things he reviews. This emphasis on positivity makes Steve's channel a welcome relief from much of UA-cam. Keep it up, young sir.
Adam West was a brilliant comedic actor. When watching it as a adult, I am always surprised at how sharp the satire is in it.
Loved the video!🎉🎉🎉
Loving the comments! 🥰
My two bits of Batman '66:
• Seatbelts! It was a lot easier for my parents to strap in their 3 wriggling kids, because Batman and Robin wore seat belts in their car!
• The Batman Movie premiered in my future hometown of Austin Texas at the Paramount Theater. (I don't know why.)
Best? Debatable. But most important? I think you made a fantastic case. I'm convinced. I also loved watching this show as a kid on Nick at Night
I was a kid. The reruns were still on an my dad and I would watch them. over time West and Burts portrayals along with the rest... they were amazing and eave such a nice legacy still growing to this day. Certainly my sons and daughters will sit with me and eat sugary cereal while Batman and robin escape a big pot of tea. Bless them.
My first Batman '66 experience was watching the movie in elementary school (I saw a number of movies during my time at that school). The dehydration ray was terrifying to me at the time.
A few years later, in the mid-80s I wound up staying up late to watch Batman' 66, and it was amazing. In the early 90s, it was aired on an independent station, and I watched it every chance that I got, even though I was more into the daker Batman. It wasn't until the early teens when I realized the brilliance of the series.
Olan Soule was the first Batman that I can clearly remember (I have vague memories of watching a black and white Batman show when I was a toddler, and going to a safety show that I later found out was called "Batman and Robin Meet Dr Danger", but the Filmation show was what really gave me my best memories of the characters)
I saw the Scooby Doo movies with Batman and Robin, and Superfriends started airing shortly after, and l later got to see the Filmation show again not too long afterward. Looking back, I find that I had more exposure to Superman than Batman for a few years in the early 80s, mainly due to the very large Superman Sunday Special that ran in newspaper Sunday Comics sections.
I'm 35 and can say that the TV reruns of this show made me a forever fan.
I wasn't exposed to the Batman comics because l live in the UK and this series was my first experience of Batman and I loved it, even today the mere thought of this show makes me smile.
Adam West put Bat-Man on the map.
When I was growing up we only got one channel on our TV, the CBS affiliate (well, there was the UHF channel, the NET affiliate, but this was well before they became PBS).
My piano teacher next door had a big antenna so they got more channels. I started arriving half-an-hour early so I could watch Superman reruns.
My dad didn't get a big antenna until the summer of '67. We had already heard about the phenomenon the Bat-Man TV show was and we looked forward to seeing it.
But its influence had already been felt throughout prime time TV. If campiness sells, let's ALL go campy! The success of Get Smart didn't help.
We were all about Lost in Space at the time but by the middle of the second season they had started getting pretty silly. The James Bond knock-offs, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and The Wild Wild West were similarly affected.
I hated the effect it had had on my favorite shows but I really enjoyed Bat-Man. I had had a fierce crush on Julie Newmar ever since I saw her as the android robot AF-709 in the 1964 sitcom My Living Doll (she got me to ask my dad what a 'computer' was -- the Borg 'Seven of Nine' is said to be named after her).
And you just can't beat Yvonne Craig as Bat-Girl in that luscious purple outfit.
I didn't really catch on to Star Trek until we got cable in the early seventies and we had three different channels that ran Star Trek at 4:00, 5:00 & 5:30 every Monday thru Friday. I became a hard-core trekkie from that point on.
When they said Tim Burton was doing a Bat-Man movie everyone expected great things. When they announced Jack Nicholson as The Joker everyone said "Yesssss!" And when they announced Michael Keaton (mostly known for comedy) as The Bat-Man everyone said "Noooo!" But Keaton was excellent, no doubt by being a comedian earnestly playing it straight, the way we were used to from Adam West.
Your balanced and fair opening speech on how opinions are different, and how that's okay, is so refreshing, especially in a world that seems oversaturated, dare I say 'tainted', by the fact that people seem all too willing to hurt each other, and worse, over differences and disagreements in opinion. Thank you. 😊
It’s important that nearly every episode of “Batman” opens with Commissioner Gordon at the end of his tether and glancing significantly at the red telephone under glass. Batman never inserts himself in a police investigation. He’s always called in.
Its funny. When I was probably 4 or 5, Batman 66 was rerun afterschool. The fact that it was so far over the top made it seem very serious to us kids, and we missed the camp entirely.
Steve, I've got a model of the Batman 66 Batmobile setting on my desk by my computer monitor! The best Batvehicle by far! Also, I love the scenes where Batman and Robin were walking up or down the outside of a building. You never knew which famous celebrity would pop up!
This is what I come back for.
Anyone can piss off a few people, but pissing of every single person watching takes dedication and skill.
There is something awe inspiring about someone who not only is an asshole, but tries to perfect the art of assholyness.
Burgess Meredith as The Penguin? Totally with you there 👍
But, then, Burgess Meredith for almost, virtually, _anything_ 🤗
I´ve just stumbled on your channel by accident and man, you really got some great stuff goin´! It wasn´t until 1979 that "Batman - The movie" got its screening in Germany´s movie theaters (known as "Batman hält die Welt in Atem"). It was one of my very first movie experiences and ever since that, Adam West´s incarnation of the Batman still got a very special place in my heart. Cheers!
Great civil discussion Steve! That's why I love your videos!
This review is so good, I'm tossing a Batman '66 DVD into my player right now. You're right. Adam West IS Batman. He even took the role into his real life after the series was over, performing at state fairs and circuses.
First let me say wonderful video! i have just recently rewatched the entirety of Batman '66 and even though i knew theoretically that it was a comedy (that i loved as an action adventure show as a kid) i was really surprised just how many times i laughed out loud while watching it. Its funny in a way that most comedies made almost 60 years ago simply fail to be today.
Second just a bit of trivia after the show was canceled it was actually renewed by another network, but once they discovered that the set had been destroyed already and it would cost them millions to rebuild they decided to let the show remain canceled. But its something i think about if only they had held off on destroying the sets for a little bit, or if they network who bought the rights had acted sooner we could have had even more Adam West Batman
You know, he’s “fit in a dad who jogs” kinda way 😁💀. Just got you a new subscriber. GR8 content.
...but the best part of the whole tale is that Mr West, after many wilderness years, had his important work accepted and validated before he passed. I'm sure he always knew of a hardcore of fans, but the general outpouring of emotion, the ceremony, at the time was wonderful to see.
A fitting tribute.
Very good narration job done here "Steve Shives" as usual. I have watched quite a few of your other "Batman" videos here at your You Tube channel and you sure do know your subject matter. You are truly well informed on all things Batman and as a Batman fan since childhood I really appreciate your vids.
This is an AWESOME review, informative, entertaining & touching on all the important contributions of the series. At first I was puzzled by your method of referencing some of the best quotes, since no audio accompanies the video. But on second viewing, I appreciate how you speak the lines yourself, in sync with the actors on screen, which is definitely unique. All in all, I agree with both the facts you present & your general opinion. Holy accurate assessment...!
Still love Burt Ward's cameo in the Arrowverse Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover.
I’m loving the Batman featurettes on your channel, and you’re spot on about the 60’s show. You’re an excellent host, keep up the good work! 🦇
Holy I loved it, Steve!
The only things missing from this are snippets from Wally Wingert's "Adam West" song. Oh and Steve actually doing the Batusi. (C'mon man, you know you wanna!)
I enjoyed your commentary here "Steve Shives" And I agree with you completely regarding Adam West as Batman. And Tobey as Spidey as well lol. I'm going to be watching your other videos here as well.
My most prized Batman possessions are my autographed picture of Kevin Conroy’s Batman, and my autographed picture of Adam West as Batman.
Also, I live near Walla Walla, where Adam Weat grew up. Every year they have a Batman Day, where they celebrate the character. Particularly West’s version. The house where West was raised has been converted to a museum, complete with a bust of Shakespeare that opens up, revealing a button that, when pressed, opens up a doorway to two poles where you can have a phot-op. I got a picture of myself on Batman’s, and my son on Robin’s.
Thank you!
And through it all, West could even parody himself ala Simpsons et al.
West Impact is incredible to the point in later life when you saw his eyes and brows you see 60,s batman
Thanks for a perceptive and respectful deconstruction. Very good points made. You have a great delivery.
Steve, your videos never get enough likes, great stuff!
I think Bill Finger even wrote one episode, hence Adam West is more canon than any other adaption of Batman.
Glad you are as excited for Tobey maguire's potential return as I am steve.
Excellent episode Steve 🦇
Thank you! Always thought the same.
You should also do a series on portrayals of the Joker. It is a character that has seen so many iterations and nearly all have been great. I content that Jared Leto's Joker is not as bad as people think. It is bad, but all the other portrayals are so outstanding that it looks a lot worse in comparison than it really was.
And Caesar Romero is still the _best_ Joker. You know a man is really nuts, when he just paints over his moustache, instead of shaving it off.
I think Leto's Joker was an interesting experiment and a valid interpretation. Future viewers may agree.
Wow
3 seasons, 120 episodes…
Holy (insert here) production schedule
One element often neglected is that Batgirl brought the "stealth hi/bye" trope to Batman. Yvonne Craig was pulling the "how does she vanish like that?" trick on Batman, only for the comics to eventually reassign the schtick to Batman himself.
I am shocked that you did not mention that William Shatner played Two-Face in the second Batman 66 animated movie.
DCAU Batman is my favorite, and even that show did a tribute to the in universe version of '66, The Gray Ghost, who was voiced by Adam West.
My favorite Batman line is "Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb!"
West is the best. This is a perfect video. Thanks for your fantastically prepared and presented argument.
Adam West has always been my favorite Batman. Just subbed your channel.
Great commentary, Steve! I hope one of the videos in your series will focus on the LEGO franchise's Batman, which is so brilliantly played by Will Arnett.
Caesar Romero's moustache *still* owns The Joker.
I agree with you entirely. Long ago I watched those episodes on reruns and it is a lot of fun to watch it.
Adam West's Batman and Van William's Green Hornet and shows have an interesting relationship for me. As a kid I loved the Batman TV show, but kept wishing they'd just play it more serious, like the Hornet was done. And yet, when I'd sit down to see the awesome Bruce Lee and Green Hornet (both favorites of mine) done as I wanted, as entertaining as they were...they didn't capture my heart like Batman did each time.
I am old enough to have seen the Adam West's Batman when it originally aired. (I was 8 at the time.) I loved it as did all my friends. Sure it was hokey and campy but that was part of the fun of it. They said silly dialogue with straight faces which in some ways reminded me of Monty Python. I liked most of the Batman's but Adam West's version holds a special place in my heart.
Are you planning on doing Kevin Conroy's Batman? To me, the Animated Series is the pinnacle of Batman.
I did that one already! It's the video right before this one in the Best Batman Ever playlist. Check it out if you're interested!
@@SteveShives Excellent! Quick! To the UA-cam-mobile!
West has been and continues to be my favorite live action Batman. Thanks for shining the Bat-signal on this cultural legend.
12:37 Oh, hi Batman!
Excellent!