I saw most of these in black and white. We didn't get our first color set until 1969, and I tried to imagine what it would look like in color. It was nothing like I pictured it. I thought it would look more noirish with a lot of dark colors. The first time I went to my dad's house one Saturcay and saw it in color, I was amazed. (In Birmingham, Alabama where I grew up, the show aired Wednesday and Saturday nights for some reason) I loved all those bright colors. Like many kids, I was annoyed when adults made fun of the silliness that was this show, but I enjoy it now, laughing at it for the same reasons. (By the way, the reviewer who said kids would love this show was wrong. I showed the movie to my then nine year old son, and five minutes into it, he looked at me, all serious business and said, "Dad, this movie sucks.") Anyway, like I said, I loved the bright colors, I collected the trading cards, and I also remember the Batman board game. If I remember, it was a mix and match game that was run on batteries and an electric light bulb lit up for correct answers. I had a Batman record, I started reading the comics. I was BATS (har!) Those "holy" comments from Robin were a hoot. (By the way, those comments have no place in these newer movies that have come out in the last eighteen years or so. For this show, perfect, but in the newer movies, they just sound stupid.) The Riddler was my favorite bat villain. I like the way he laughed and jumped around. I also loved George Sanders as Mr. Freeze. He gave Freeze a more menacing quality than Otto Preminger did. The less said about Arnold Schwarzenegger, the better.
Even as a kid, I knew what the Batman comics were all about, how he was the vigilante who was trying to avenge the murder of his parents. Back then, who cared? Those themes were too mature for an eleven year old kid. Now, I compare this with the original comic, and I appreciate how it laughs at itself. This show was a spoof, and when seen in that light, it is an enjoyable show, even for fans of the more brooding, dark-hued version. Sometimes, it's great to laugh at the things that we tend to take so seriously. It keeps a little balance and sanity in our lives.
Still a great show, for different reasons now than when I was a kid. As I said of the movie, silly, juvenile fun. Taken at its own terms, a helluva ride. 7 out of 10.
Even as a kid, I knew what the Batman comics were all about, how he was the vigilante who was trying to avenge the murder of his parents. Back then, who cared? Those themes were too mature for an eleven year old kid. Now, I compare this with the original comic, and I appreciate how it laughs at itself. This show was a spoof, and when seen in that light, it is an enjoyable show, even for fans of the more brooding, dark-hued version. Sometimes, it's great to laugh at the things that we tend to take so seriously. It keeps a little balance and sanity in our lives.
Still a great show, for different reasons now than when I was a kid. As I said of the movie, silly, juvenile fun. Taken at its own terms, a helluva ride. 7 out of 10.