Batman (1966 Film)

Batman (1966 film)

Batman, often promoted as Batman: The Movie, is a 1966 film based on the Batman television series, and the first full-length theatrical adaptation of the DC Comics Batman. Released by 20th Century Fox, the film starred Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin. The film was directed by Leslie H. Martinson, who also directed a pair of the television series episodes; "The Penguin Goes Straight" and "Not Yet, He Ain't", both from season one.

The cast includes members of the original TV cast, including Alan Napier as the Wayne Manor butler Alfred Pennyworth, Neil Hamilton as Commissioner Gordon, Stafford Repp as Chief O'Hara and Madge Blake as Aunt Harriet. Appearing as the criminal characters that they played on TV (and given the name the Rogues Gallery of Villains) are Cesar Romero as the Joker, Burgess Meredith as the Penguin, and Frank Gorshin as the Riddler. Julie Newmar, who left the movie before production started in order to do other work, is replaced by Lee Meriwether as Catwoman. Lee Meriwether stated in an interview that Julie Newmar had hurt her back and was unable to do the feature film.