Some Bat-fans love Lorenzo Semple Jr.’s work; to others, he’s an arch-fiend worse (and sillier) than the Riddler or the Joker. He’s the creator of the old ABC Batman series, starring Adam West (pictured), that ran for two seasons in the ’60s. I always thought his light, unabashedly campy approach to the Bruce Wayne saga was hilarious fun, but I do sympathize with hardcore Batman flame-keepers who felt he ruined the character for decades, before Frank Miller and Tim Burton brought him back to his bleak, brooding roots. (See an overview of the Bat-history here.)
Now, in a Variety essay published on the eve of this week’s release of The Dark Knight, Semple defends his frothy, angst-free take on the character. Whether or not you liked Semple’s show, the article is a great read. Semple is, after all, quite the raconteur, as anyone knows who’s watched his delightful "Reel Geezers" series of online movie reviews, which he tapes with fellow octogenarian Hollywood veteran Marsha Nasatir. Sample Semple’s sensibility, then spill as to whether you prefer your Batman black and scalding or light and sugary.
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The Batman TV show in the ’60s was campier and lighter than what was going on in the comic books at the time, but not by much. After the moral crackdown on comics in the ’50s, Batman lost his edge (hello, Bat-Mite!). I wouldn’t say the TV show ruined the character for decades. I’ve read some pretty dark, well-drawn, iconic stories from the ’70s involving Ra’s al-Guhl and Man-Bat, and the Nightwing, Batgirl, and second Robin stories were all well-done (and in the latter two cases, tragic) in the ’70s and ’80s. That isn’t to say that Frank Miller didn’t deepen and darken Batman, but let’s not go overboard decrying the TV show’s deleterious effects on Batman’s mythology. It was simply a product of its time.
I was just a kid but could not resist Julie Newmar in that cat suit.
I’ve only seen episodes of the old Batman show in reruns, but I had no idea it had only run for two seasons.
I have to agree, BrandonK. The old Batman (on which I grew up) was definitely a product of its time, and should be viewed as such. The new Batman incarnations are also products of their time, and I think comparing them is a waste of effort. Each metamorphosis reflects something interesting about American self image and popular consciousness of the respective era. And let’s not forget–it’s just a story/TV show/film. People need to lighten up. Check out Fairly Oddparents’ take on Batman with their Adam West guest spots as Catman. It’s a hoot.
As a kid of the 80s, I also only caught the show in reruns. But it was my first introduction to Batman. I think it says something that I thought he was cool then, and think he’s even better now. Batman, even at his campiest is still one of the best superheroes out there.
I love the campy Batman from the 60s. You have to admit, a man in tights and a cape is ridiculous, no matter how serious a superhero movie attempts to be. I’d love to see the superhero genre incorporate some surrealist humor; the dark, angsty, brooding hero is getting overdone.
I freakin’ LOVE the old Batman!!! I don’t know if it was intended to be campy, but you have to laugh if you ever see the episode where Robin introduces himself as, “I’m millionaire Bruce Wayne’s youthful ward, Dick Grayson.” HA!
Brandonk makes a solid point. Batgirl’s character was invented directly as a result of criticism that Batman’s close relationship with his “ward” Robin was gay.
In an era where the comics code reigned supreme (and when all tv had to be “family” oriented), it’s easy to understand why the original show was so campy. After all, the vast majority of comic book readers in those days were kids. Back then, Senators talked down on comics they way they talk about video games today.
I’d argue the tv show was sort of the “cartoony” kids version of Batman, made to appeal to a younger audience and to network censors.
No matter how you slice it, Batman is still about a guy that dresses up like Dracula and beats up psychotic clowns. The old Batman series was silly but great. There’s plenty of room for many interpretations.
It’s funny, as a kid, I took the show dead seriously, as I got older, I started to realize they were being silly.
I remember when Tim Burton was making his Batman movie, fans were saying that he should cast Adam West as Bruce Wayne’s father, because they would love to see him get shot, lol.
For all the drubbing Adam West got, I dig that he’s always had a good sense of humor and a willingness to make fun of himself. His role as the mayor of Quahog, RI on Family Guy has made me an Adam West fan for life!
Some days, you just can’t get rid of a bomb!
I remember watching the old Batman reruns with my little brother when I was 7/8/9 years old, and have very fond memories of the bright colors, crazy villains, and *kapow!*s. It’s certainly not high-quality entertainment like the newer fare on the big screen, and I’d probably laugh myself silly if I watched it now, but it’s fine for what it is: cheesy, mindless, and a fun (and certainly much more cheerful) introduction for all ages to the superhero saga and it’s collection of characters.
I THINK THAT MICHEAL KEATON WAS THE BEST BATMAN! THE OLD WAS WAS SO PATHTIC WITH THOSE COMIC LOOKING BAM AND SO FORTH THE NEW ONES ARE JUST SO MUCH BETTER AND THE COSTUMES ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD AND MORE LIKE THE COMIC WAS BASED ON AND MORE PEOPLE SHOULD LOOK AT THIS FROM DC COMICS POINT!
When, oh when, are we going the complete series on DVD? Is this because there’s no interest in it (even though there’s an extremely popular Batman movie out right now), or is it because Warners now owns DC and the 60’s series was created by 20th Century Fox? What gives? Holy anguish!
Thanks for the info