Batman

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Batman is a 1960s American live action television series, based on the DC comic book character of the same name. It stars Adam West as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Burt Ward as Dick Grayson/Robin – two crime-fighting heroes who defend Gotham City from a variety of archvillains.[1][2] It is known for its camp style, upbeat theme music, and its intentionally humorous, simplistic morality (aimed at its largely teenage audience). This included championing the importance of using seat belts, doing homework, eating vegetables, and drinking milk.[3] It was described by executive producer William Dozier as the only situation comedy on the air without a laugh track. The 120 episodes aired on the ABC network for three seasons from January 12, 1966 to March 14, 1968.

## Plot

The Caped Crusader and his young ward battle evildoers in Gotham City.

## Cast and Characters

### Regular cast

* Adam West as Bruce Wayne/Batman:
A multi-millionaire industrialist whose parents were murdered when he was a child and who now secretly uses his vast fortune to fight crime as the masked vigilante Batman. With the exception of two episodes, the series refrains from mentioning his origins as a "crime orphan". Producer William Dozier cast Adam West in the role after seeing him perform as the James Bond-like spy Captain Q in a Nestlé Quik television advertisement. Lyle Waggoner had screen-tested for the role, though West ultimately won out because, it was said, he was the only person who could deliver his lines with a straight face. West later voiced an animated version of the title character on *The New Adventures of Batman*.
* Burt Ward as Dick Grayson/Robin:
 Batman's sidekick, dubbed the "Boy Wonder": a high school student noted for his recurring interjections in the form of "Holy \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, Batman!" (The series avoids referencing Robin's origins as Bruce Wayne's fellow "crime orphan", as whose legal guardian the courts appoint Bruce.) Ward voiced an animated version of this character on *The New Adventures of Batman*.
* Alan Napier as Alfred:
 Batman's loyal butler and Batgirl's discreet confidant. He is the only person who knows the true identities of Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, and Barbara Gordon.
* Neil Hamilton as Commissioner James Gordon:
 The Commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department and one of Batman's two major police contacts. He summons the Dynamic Duo via the Batphone or the Bat Signal.
* Stafford Repp as Chief Miles O'Hara:
 Gotham City's Chief of Police, and Batman's other major police contact. The character was created by Semple for the series, as someone for Gordon to talk to, and later briefly added to the comics.
* Madge Blake as Harriet Cooper:
Dick Grayson's maternal aunt. She first appeared in the comics, two years before the series premiered, to give Bruce and Dick a reason to be secretive about their dual identities.
* Yvonne Craig as Barbara Gordon / Batgirl:
 Commissioner Gordon's daughter, Gotham City librarian and crime fighting partner for Batman and Robin for the third season. Occasionally, this threesome was nicknamed the "Terrific Trio".
* William Dozier as Narrator (uncredited).

### Recurring villains

* Cesar Romero as The Joker:
A clown-themed, prank-loving villain and Batman's archenemy, who leaves behind jokes as clues to his next crime.
* Burgess Meredith as The Penguin:
A penguin-themed gentleman thief who commits crimes using multipurpose umbrellas.
* The Riddler played by:
	+ Frank Gorshin (Seasons 1 and 3 and the movie)
	+ John Astin (Season 2):
	A criminal who leaves behind riddles as clues to his crimes.
* The Catwoman played by:
	+ Julie Newmar (Seasons 1 and 2)
	+ Lee Meriwether (the movie)
	+ Eartha Kitt (Season 3):
	A cat-themed jewel thief and cat burglar in a complicated love-hate relationship with Batman.
* Victor Buono as Professor William McElroy / King Tut:
 An Egyptologist who developed a split personality after being struck on the head during a student protest. Each time he is hit on the head, he switches between the personalities of a university professor and a reincarnated version of the pharaoh Tutankhamun.
* Dr. Art Schivel/Mr. Freeze played by:
	+ George Sanders (Season 1)
	+ Otto Preminger and Eli Wallach (Season 2):
	A mad scientist who, after exposure to a freeze solution, now needs below-freezing temperatures to survive. His weapon of choice is a freeze-blast gun, capable of freezing its target solid. In his first appearance, the gun could also produce a heat/incendiary beam.
* David Wayne as Jervis Tetch/Mad Hatter:
A formally dressed villain with an obsession for collecting hats (he steals the hats from his victims, then knocks them out with a mesmerizing ray that pops out of the top of his hat).
* Vincent Price as Egghead:
 A smug, bald-headed genius whose crimes and speech patterns involve eggs.
* Carolyn Jones as Marsha, Queen of Diamonds:
A criminal with a fondness for jewelry.
* Cliff Robertson as Shame:
A Western-themed villain, whose partners at various times include Okie Annie and Calamity Jan. The three of them spoof famous Western characters from the movies (namely Shane, Annie Oakley, and Calamity Jane).
* Anne Baxter as Olga, Queen of the Cossacks:
 A Russian-accented, redheaded villainess often paired with Egghead. Baxter had earlier appeared in one story as "Zelda the Great", a master of illusion whose crimes are tied in with magic tricks.
* Milton Berle as Louie the Lilac:
A gangster with a fondness for flowers.

## Seasons

* Season 1 (1966)
* Season 2 (1966-1967)
* Season 3 (1967-1968)