MEET BATMAN & ROBIN! Vintage 1960’s Newspaper Advertisement
My good friend John sent me this Vintage Oklahoma Newspaper Ad ( John & I both live in Oklahoma City ) the other night. This old advertisement announces that the real-life Batman & Robin, The Boy Wonder will appear at the Founder’s Fair Department Store. Of course this was Adam West & Burt Ward from the 1966 TV Show! The copy reads, “Dynamic Duo Due Here – TV’s famed Batman and Robin will appear at Founder’s Fair Sunday at 1 p.m. in a Rolls Royce. They will be there from 1 to 3 p.m. and from 6 to 7 p.m. to pass out rings and autographs for the kids. The store will stay open till 8 p.m. for numerous prizes & drawings.” Oh man, this would have been an amazing event to go to as a little kid back then. I bet that those lucky ones that did totally freaked out, ha ha! Thanks John for sending this wonderful piece of Bat-History.
Custom 1966 BATMAN TV SHOW Action Figure Doll ( Adam West )
Oh man, check out these crazy photos! A cool company called Classic Plastick, famous for making extremely awesome model kits, made this Prototype Action Figure ( Doll ) of Adam West from the 1966 Batman TV Show. Actually, it’s more like a Custom Toy since I don’t think they actually sell them but did it for fun! Anyway, they did an incredible job on it & I totally love all the details, even the Display Box design is great! My favorite parts are the super-detailed Bat-Belt & the accessories, the Bat-a-Rang & Bat-Radio, very cool. The head sculpt is really great too as it looks exactly like the real person. I really wish this figure was available at Wal-mart or Target, ha ha! I mean, I would buy TWO of them: One to display, unopened, mint in original box. Then another one to play with, ha ha!
Exclusive Burt Ward ROBIN, THE BOY WONDER Ceramic Coffee Mugs!
Just a quick post: Over at Burt Ward’s Official Website they have expanded the “Merchandise Area” to include Exclusive ROBIN, THE BOY WONDER Ceramic Coffee Mugs! They are very high resolution “Create Your Own Custom Mugs”. Graphic, Photos, Single Sided, Double Sided, and Fully Wrap Mugs available. The graphics are so clean, extremely bright and perfect registration. The photos (color & black and white) look just as incredible!!! While there also be sure to check out the Writing Pens & Mouse Pads. Also, in the future there will be some “Robin” Hats ( Baseball Caps ) & T-Shirts too! The Bat-Blog will be letting y’all know about that, so stay tuned!
HBO Making a New ‘Westworld’ Series
Westworld remains one of the most seminal films in science fiction thanks to Yul Brynner’s iconic performance as a gunslinger robot gone mad at a futurist theme park. How they’re going to stretch the simple concept of the original movie (and the original novel by Michael Crichton) into an ongoing series, has not been revealed, but the series has a pretty good pedigree and a home on HBO to start with.
Deadline announced the deal earlier today that the cable channel had greenlighted the series, which will be shepherded to the screen by J.J. Abrams, Jonathan Nolan and Jerry Weintraub. This will be the second team-up of Abrams and Nolan, who collaborate on Nolan’s series Person of Interest, about to go into its third season on CBS; Weintraub is the prolific producer behind the Karate Kid and Ocean’s 11 franchises. According to Deadline, the series will be “a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the future of sin.”
“The future of sin?” Now we’re talking. The pilot will be written by Lisa Joy (Burn Notice, Pushing Daisies), while Nolan will direct the pilot. Deadline adds that HBO’s commitment to the series is amongst the biggest in the channel’s history, but what that means is unknown, as no further details have been given at this time.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time a Westworld series has come to TV. Beyond Westworld ran a short five short in 1980 and followed an evil scientist trying to take over the world with the robots from the theme park, and the security chief of Delos Corporation who was trying to stop him.
So are you Bastards eager to see a Westworld TV show? Obviously, HBO engenders a lot of trust, and Person of Interest is actually a pretty good show that subverts CBS’ overly procedural format. Will Westworld be a hit? Time will tell.
More news as it develops.
Source: /Film
VIDEO: 1966 BATMAN TV SHOW German Promo Ad Commercial
Here’s an interesting piece of Bat-History, a TV promo spot for the 1966 Batman TV Show that aired in Germany! And for people who understand German, read this: Programmhinweis von Pro7 zur Batman Serie von 1966.
RARE 1966 TOPPS Batman TV Show Trading Cards
Sometime one problem with being a Batman Collector is trying to find inventive ways to display your favorite items. You want to be able to enjoy it, but you also need to protect it as well. OK, here’s a perfect example you might like ( Click on the pics above for larger examples ). Our friend Dallas recently had one of his favorite pieces framed. It’s a set of TOPPS 1966 Batman TV Show Trading Cards, still in the original package. Now the special thing about these is that it they are not the “wax wrapper” package but it’s another type of packaging that TOPPS did later where you got 3 sets of cards, sealed in clear cellophane, that were placed in a long narrow bag which had a Cardboard Header Card attached to the top ( also, I don’t think these came with bubble gum like the others did ). These packages hung on hooks in retail store displays & are extremely rare! But Dallas found a very clever way to display this unusual item. He had it framed between 2 pieces of glass with a die-cut mat background. This way the item has some space around it so it’s not flattened & because it’s “open on the back” you can remove the frame from the wall to still read the other side…AWESOME! I wanna thank Dallas for sharing the cool pics & great idea. If any other Bat-Blog Readers have come up with clever ideas like this then please be sure to let us know so we can share it! Also, CLICK HERE for some more examples of these RARE BATMAN Topps “Hangers” Cards & other Wrappers and Display Boxes.
VINTAGE BATMAN TOYS – Wacky Wallpaper Wednesday!
OK, since today is “Wacky Wallpaper Wednesday” and the Bat-Blog is mainly all about the love of collecting Vintage Batman Toys, I thought that today’s Desktop Backgrounds would be “Retro Bat-Toy” related. The 1st one is the totally beautiful BOX ART for the 1970’s MEGO BATMAN BATCAVE PLAYSET! This is one of those vinyl case toys that open-up to become an environment for dolls or figures. In this case, it’s the Mego Doll 8″Action Figures…CRAZY! The next wallpaper uses the graphics found on an original package of 1966 BATMAN TV SHOW VIEW-MASTER REELS. I used to completely love these things as a little kid & would stare at them for hours, ha ha! Now, if you don’t like these backgrounds then please keep in mind that we have hundreds more here at the Bat-Blog! Just click the button down below for the most current ones ( around the last 20 or so ) or be sure to check the BAT-BLOG ARCHIVES ( located at the lower left-side of this page ) for many many more!
1966 BATMAN FINE ART PRINTS From 3-D Monster!
Shown up above are some crazy-groovy art prints made by a Graphic Designer named Dan Bru. He really loves unusual pieces of pop culture from the 1960’s & 70’s especially Old Toys, Horror Movies, Vintage TV Shows, Tin Robots, etc…just about anything “retro”. So you know he has to do a few pieces of art that are about the 1966 Batman TV Show! Let’s take a look at them. The 1st one is kinda weird, but in a good way. It’s a parody of the graphics from an old Vintage Poster for the ’66 Batman Movie. Adam West is shown wearing RED tights which is pretty groovy because that’s how he looked on some foreign movie posters. The next 2 are an homage to the famous 1966 LIFE Magazine Cover featuring Adam West. The 1st one is pretty straight-forward & looks just like the original, very cool. The 2nd one shows different color variations & looks very much like Pop Art done by Andy Warhol. If you would like to see more artwork by this guy, or just read his blog, then here’s a link, click HERE! Oh yeah, while there be sure to click on that button ( top, right-hand side ) that says, “Art Prints”.
George Barris Kustom 2010 Chevrolet Camaro “Spirit” to Premiere This Saturday
This weekend will mark the historical delivery of the first Barris Kustom 2010 Chevrolet Camaro “Spirit” to a Chevrolet dealership in the USA. This long awaited American automobile industry event will be held Saturday, April 10th, at Community Chevrolet in Burbank, California. George Barris, “King of the Auto Kustomizers” and American icon, will drive the 1st car into the dealership himself immediately following the 2010 Annual Burbank on Parade. George Barris and the new Barris Camaro “Spirit” are a major feature in this year’s parade. Along with other unique kustom cars, the famed Barris 1966 BATMAN TV Show Batmobile will also be on display. Yeah, you read that right! If you go to this event you can see one of the original ’66 Batmobiles in person! ( Now, something to keep in mind is that George Barris will ONLY be available for autographs between 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm ). Awesome! So, if any Bat-Blog Readers go to this thing then please send us some pictures!!
The ROBOT CHICKEN DC COMICS SPECIAL – New Animated TV Event
PRESS RELEASE:
Creators/Executive Producers Seth Green and Matthew Senreich combine one of Adult Swim’s highest-rated original shows with DC Comics most popular characters
First they tantalized you with three Emmy -nominated Robot Chicken Star Wars specials, now Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, in partnership with DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, bring you the awesomeness of the DC Comics universe of characters as only Robot Chicken can, with amazing guest stars and the stop-motion sketch comedy you’ve come to love after five seasons of the popular Adult Swim series.
The all-star cast includes Green as Batman, Robin and the put-upon Aquaman, Paul Reubens as The Riddler, Neil Patrick Harris as Two-Face, Alfred Molina as Lex Luthor, Nathan Fillion as the Green Lantern, Megan Fox as Lois Lane, Breckin Meyer as Superman, plus Abe Benrubi, Alex Borstein, Clare Grant, Tara Strong, Senreich, Tom Root, and Zeb Wells.
Green said, “Having been raised on DC Comics and the Super Friends vs. Legion of Doom, it’s exciting to tell a whole Robot Chicken story within this awesome universe.” Senreich adds, “We’ve been working with Geoff Johns for over 15 years, so playing together on this special only made it more fun to work in the worlds we all love so dearly.”
The Robot Chicken DC Comics Special airs this Fall and features many Robot Chicken favorites including the Robot Chicken Nerd, the Humping Robot, Composite Santa, and the Mad Scientist who will be joined by the DC characters to poke fun at those with the most impressive powers and the lesser ones who can’t really be called superheroes.
“Working with Seth and Matthew and the rest of the Robot Chicken crew has always been nothing short of insanity over the years. DC, Warner Bros. Animation and Adult Swim together? How could anyone resist?” said Geoff Johns, DC Entertainment Chief Creative Officer.
Dave Meets 1966 BATMAN and ROBIN, THE BOY WONDER ( Adam West & Burt Ward )
Here’s a great set of vintage photos sent in by our buddy BatDave. Back in 2001 he was lucky enough to meet both Adam West & Burt Ward! Of course we all know them as Batman & Robin, The Boy Wonder from the 1966 TV series. Thanks to Dave for sending this photo, it’s very cool! Actually, I’m sort of jealous a little bit because I have never got to meet these guys, ha!
Bobbi’s Special 1966 BATMAN TV SHOW BIRTHDAY CAKE!!
There’s a story behind this special Batman Birthday Cake. The flowers along the top of the cake are blue and yellow for Adam West’s costume and the bottom flowers are red, yellow, and green leaves for Burt Ward’s costume ( their names are written by their colors ). This cake was for a special party for a Bat-Fan named Bobbi & she loved the the idea of a Batman-themed Birthday. I mean, it’s just too cool! The neat thing is she got many compliments on this cake. Plus, that t-shirt is one of her favorites because it signifies the 1966 Batman exclusively. Same with the cake. It was 1966 themed as well. They’ve been her heroes since 1977 when she was first introduced to them on TV ( She was 7 yrs old at the time ). The great thing is that she got to meet both Adam & Burt this past April in Anaheim, CA. It was a definite dream come true! So, a special thanks goes out to Bobbi Lynn for sharing her wonderful photo & great story. She got to meet the Dynamic Duo!
Weird Batman Backgrounds – Wacky Wallpaper Wednesday!
For this week’s “Wacky Wallpaper Wednesday” I thought I would post some Batman Wallpapers that are just totally weird! Yeah, I know, these are kind of strange but they still make an interesting background on your desktop. The 1st one is sort of an homage to the older BATMAN BEYOND TV cartoon. I did it because I’m very excited about the “Batman Beyond: The Complete Series” coming to DVD. The next one is a wonderful image of the JOKER ( Cesar Romero ) from the 1966 Batman TV Show that I found while surfing the net. So, whattya think of these? Good? Bad? Well, the Bat-Blog has 100’s more you can see if you did through the Bat-Archives that’s located on the left side of this blog, about 1/2 way down.
DVD Review – Batman: The Brave And The Bold, Season One, Part Two
Just a few days ago Warner Bros released their latest animated TV cartoon DVD, “Batman: The Brave And The Bold, Season One, Part Two”. The special thing about this DVD is that it’s a 2-Disc Set. The packaging is pretty cool & it contains 13 complete episodes. Now, there are not a lot of extras here but DISC ONE has a nice Movie Trailer for the next DC Universe Animated Film, “All-Star Superman”. DISC TWO has a preview for the “Hot Wheels Battle Force 5” Animated TV Series. One last note would be that the shows are avaliable in three languages: English, Spanish, & Portuguese.
Now I gotta say that this is one GREAT series & a very nice DVD Set. I wish it was the Complete Season but it does have quite a bit of entertainment value. Plus, it’s nice to watch the show without all the TV commercials, ha! Another thing I like is that it includes some of my most favorite episodes of Season One: “Trails of the Demon”, because of the “Sherlock Holmes” angle. “The Color of Revenge”, because of all the references to the Golden Age Comic Books & also the 1966 TV Show. “The Last Bat on Earth”, because it showcased some Classic Jack Kirby-Inspired Characters & it brought back a lot of childhood memories for me. Actually the list could go on because every episode is fun! This set also includes the famous “Music Meister” episode, which was completely done as a Musical, a very strange ( but fun ) concept. I think that if you’re a Fan of this TV Cartoon then you’re gonna be pretty happy with this product. Now, just for fun, I have embedded some preview videos down below that are clips from a few episodes shown on this DVD, enjoy!
Episode Guide:
- Mystery in Space ( The Question, Aquaman & Adam Strange )
- Trials of the Demon ( Golden Age Flash, Sherlock Holmes & The Demon )
- Night of The Huntress ( Black Canary, The Huntress & Blue Beetle )
- Menace of The Conqueror Caveman ( Wildcat, Booster Gold )
- The Color of Revenge ( Robin The Boy Wonder, Modern-Day Robin )
- Legends of The Dark Mite ( Bat-Hound & Bat-Mite )
- Hail The Tornedo Tyrant ( Green Arrow, Red Tornado )
- Duel of the Double Crossers The Outsiders, Jonah Hex )
- The Last Bat on Earth ( Mr. Miracle & Kamandi )
- When OMAC Attacks ( Hawk and Dove, OMAC )
- The Fate of Equinox ( Dr. Fate )
- Mayhem of the Music Meister ( Aquaman, Green Arrow, & Black Canary )
- Inside The Outsiders! ( Green Arrow, The Outsiders )
The Crazy List of Super-Villians include:
The Joker, Riddler, Bane, Catwoman, Mr. Zero, Gentleman Ghost, Scarecrow, Gorilla Grodd, Tweedledee & Tweedledum , Baby Face & Mrs. Man Face, Solomon Grundy, Two-Face, Cobra, Penguin, Polka Dot Man, Killer Moth, Kiteman, Crazy Quilt, Catman, Calendar Man, Black Manta, Clock King, Psycho Pirate, & many more!
eBay Find of The Week – BATMAN 1966 TV Show ADAM WEST & BURT WARD Autographed Photo
I thought I would experiment with a new idea of, each week, posting a cool Batman item I come across on eBay, that is still for sale. Now, this is NOT an invitation for eBay Slaves to spam me with what they’re selling, ha! ( That’s not gonna happen! ) I’ll just find something fun & post it on my own. This item is pretty cool. Here’s a Framed Color Photo of Batman and Robin from the Classic 1960’s TV Series. It’s signed by both Actors from the BATMAN TV Show, Adam West & Burt Ward. It’s a photo you don’t see that often & the signatures look really good. Here’s a link to check it out, just click HERE!
BAT-BLOG CONTEST – Win a Copy of the New BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD ( Season Two, Part One ) DVD Set!
The Bat-Blog is famous for it’s beautiful contest prizes and, thanks to the kindness of Warner Bros’ Public Relations Department, we will be giving away a FREE COPY of the latest ( Brand-New! ) BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD (Season Two, Part One ) 2-Disc DVD Set!! Yes, you might have read our review of this new product right here, but just in case you didn’t, it’s AWESOME! ( I mean the DVD Set, not the review, ha ha! CLICK HERE! ). Now, you have a chance to win a free copy!
Here’s the simple rules on how to enter: First, Just email your full name/address with the phrase “NEW BATMAN BRAVE AND THE BOLD DVD SET!” in the title. Second, Please be sure to tell all your friends about the Bat-Blog.Com. It’s that easy! The contest is open to all countries & the only thing we ask is that if you already own a copy then please pass on this contest to allow someone who doesn’t have it to get it, whew! Plus, the CONTEST ENDS on Saturday, September 3rd, 2011. We will announce the WINNER on the very next day right here at the BAT-BLOG.COM on September 4th, 2011. Our email button is down below, click on it NOW!!
CONTEST RULES:
- The contest is open to the general public as well as anyone currently reading the BAT-BLOG on a daily basis. Employees of the Bat-Blog and employees’ immediate family members and persons with whom such employees are domiciled are excluded from this contest.
- The prize is not redeemable in cash and must be accepted as awarded.
- Decisions of the contest judges are final – no substitutions will be available.
- By claiming the prize, the winner authorizes the use, without additional compensation of his or her name and/or likeness and/or voice/photograph and municipality of residence for promotion and/or advertising purposes in any manner and in any medium (including without limitation, radio broadcasts, newspapers and other publications and in television or film releases, slides, videotape, distribution over the internet and picture date storage) which Bat-Blog may deem appropriate.
- In accepting the prize, the winner, and any reader(s), acknowledges that the Bat-Blog may not be held liable for any loss, damages or injury associated with accepting or using this prize.
- The person whose name is drawn as being the winner of the specific prize will be required to send us their correct mailing information before the prize is awarded to them. Postage to be paid, free of charge, by the Bat-blog.
- Detailed contest rules applicable to this contest, including contest entry dates, how to enter, and prize value, number and any restrictions applicable to these prizes are available upon request by reading these Contest Rules, ha ha!
- The Bat-Blog retains the rights, in its absolute and sole discretion, to make substitutions of equivalent kind or approximate value in the event of the unavailability of any prize or component of the prize for any reason whatsoever.
- This contest is subject to all federal, provincial and municipal laws.
- The Bat-Blog reserves the right to withdraw or terminate this contest at any time without prior notice.
- Approximate value of prize varies.
- Contest open to loyal Bat-Blog Readers only.
- One entry per person, per household.
Special BATMAN GUESTS Today at The NJ COMIC EXPO!
I totally failed at reporting this yesterday so I apologize. But hey, there’s still time to share this important news! Today, November 12th, in New Jersey they’re having the NJ COMIC EXPO & there will be many special guests who once appeared in the 1966 BATMAN TV Series plus, CATWOMAN! Yes, Lee Merriwether, who played the feisty feline in the 60’s BATMAN Movie will be there! It all takes place from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm at the Teaneck Armory in Teaneck, NJ. Then, at 7:00 pm, there will also be a special screening of the 1960’s BATMAN MOVIE at the Loews Jersey Theater in Jersey City.
Other TV Guests include: Terry Moore ( Venus ), Donna Loren ( Cheerleader Susie ), Deanna Lund ( Annagram, The Riddler’s Sidekick ), & Susan Silo ( Another Riddler Sidekick, Mousey ). Also showing up at the event are Jim Beard ( Editor, Gotham City 14 Miles ) & Joel Eisner ( The Official Batman Batbook ) who have each worked on some very popular 1966 Batman TV History Books! One last thing, our friend John Stacks will be there to share some of his Batman Toys & Model Kits Collection and there will also be some 1966 Batmobile & Bat-Cycles Replicas AND the original 1966 Bat-Copter, whew!
For more info on the event be sure to click HERE!
TODAY IN BAT-HISTORY It’s Barbara Rush’s Birthday!
The BAT-BLOG.COM would like to extend the happiest of “Happy Birthday” Greetings to Barbara Rush! She was born today on January 4th, 1927. Serious TV Fans of the 1966 BATMAN Series will know her as “Nora Clavicle”, the Feminist Evil Super-Villain! That character is famous for putting Batman, Batgirl, and Robin in a trap called the “Siamese Human Knot”. Will they ever escape?! For highlights of that check out the video clip down below:
Paul’s 1966 BATMAN TV Show Logo T-Shirt – Vintage Family Photo
Here’s a wonderful Vintage Family Photo that I’m completely proud to post. This is our Friend Paul, who lives in Canada, and this was taken when he was 3 years old. It’s from around 1968 and shows Paul wearing a classic 1966 BATMAN TV Show Logo T-Shirt!! ( Click on it for a larger version ) It was a sick day and Paul’s Mom hooked him up with a French “Spirou” Book, a Superman Comic Book, and his favorite T-shirt. Ya gotta love that! ( Thanks Paul for sharing this special pic, it’s great! )
New UK Book – HOLY FRANCHISE, BATMAN! By Gary Collinson
I just got some news about a brand-new “Batman Movie & TV History” Book titled, “Holy Franchise, Batman!”, which was written by Gary Collinson. The book covers the ENTIRE film and television history of the character. We’re talking from the 1940’s Serials to Tim Burton, Joel Schumacher, Christopher Nolan, and all of the animated TV cartoons. It even has a full episode guide for the 1966 Adam West and Burt Ward TV Series.
One thing though, I think this book will only be available in the UK & I’m guessing it will be available on UK Amazon? Sorry, Publisher didn’t share many details. But one thing I do know is that the release date is June 29th, 2012. Also, sorry my description is kinda vague but the Publisher never sent me a Review Copy either. So, I can’t really review it or anything. But it sounds like a fun book, especially for fans of the bat-films.
BATMAN’S ADAM WEST and BURT WARD To Appear at New Jersey SUPER MEGA SHOW & COMIC FEST This Weekend!
This post is a friendly reminder that the SUPER MEGA SHOW & COMIC FEST in New Jersey will be this weekend, June 9th & 10th, 2012. The cool thing is that the Guests of Honor will be ADAM WEST & BURT WARD!
Yes, Batman & Robin, The Boy Wonder, will make a special appearance! They will also have the lovely Lee Merriwether, who played Catwoman in the 1960’s Movie, and Donna Loren ( Robin’s love interest on the 1966 TV Series ). But wait, there’s more!
They will also have some amazing Batman Replica Batmobiles and bat-Vehicles. Yeah, we’re talking about the 1966 Bat-Cycle and amazing 60’s Batman Movie Bat-Copter!
This event looks way too good to miss! For more info, CLICK HERE!
New RETRO BARBIE & KEN DOLLS as 1966 TV Series Catwoman and Batman
As reported here at the Bat-Blog awhile back, the Mattel Toy Company has plans to release a special set of RETRO BARBIE AND KEN DOLLS dressed as Catwoman (Julie Newmar) and Batman (Adam West) from the 1966 TV Series. Now, when they say “retro” what they mean is that the dolls look like the vintage-style that was made back in the 1960’s. Here is a photo of the dolls that will be released later this year. We don’t have an exact release date right now but stay tuned to the Bat-Blog and as soon as we know, you will know.
By the way, this image shown here is also a BATMAN TOYS Wallpaper background you can use to brighten your Desktop, click on it for a larger version & please enjoy.
Listen To BATMAN: CAPTURE AND ESCAPE – The 45 rpm Record by Burgess Meredith
Here are some cool audio wavs I knew I should share because they’re really fun and will probably bring back a lot of fond memories for the people who owned this 45 rpm record back in the day. I found them at a website called BIG GLEE! It’s written by a friend of ours, named Al Bigley, and he went to the trouble of recording them for online play.
Here they are, down below, two very rare “Penguin” songs recorded to cash-in on the 1966 BATMAN TV show craze. Sung by Burgess Meredith, the actor who portrayed the Penguin in the TV series. ( Thanks Al )
iCosplay Blog 