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8 DC Characters who made their screen debut on Batman 1966
The 1966 show introduced many of Batman's biggest rogues and allies to the screen.
Batman's supporting cast has grown exponentially through the years since his debut back in The '40s, especially on screen. Did you know some of his biggest castmates made their debuts on the 1966 show? Read on to find out who!
1. King Tut
A character created for the 1966 show, King Tut is the alter ego of Dr. William MacElroy, who after a bump on the head believes that he is the reincarnated Pharoah and schemes to take Gotham City as his new kingdom. Since his role in the series, King Tut has appeared in the Lego Batman Movie along with the animated sequels for the series Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders and Batman vs. Two-Face
2. Harriet Cooper
Dick Grayson's Aunt Harriet was actually created by original Batman creator Bill Finger two years before the release of the 1966 series. Portrayed by Madge Blake, Aunt Harriet would appear in many episodes and would later go on to appear in the show's animated sequels Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders and Batman vs. Two-Face.
3. Clock King
Batman's time-based foe actually started out life as a villain for DC's Emerald Archer - Green Arrow. Making his first screen appearance in season two of the '66 series, Clock King would later make animated appearances in Batman: The Animated Series and Harley Quinn as well as his role as an antagonist for Green Arrow in the CW's Arrow.
4. The Riddler
Believe it or not, Batman's quizzical foe wasn't always at the top of the rogues gallery. Riddler's prevalence in much Batman related media today is thanks in no small part to Frank Gorshin and John Astin's portrayal of him in 1966. Thanks to this breakout apperance, Riddler has appeared in many TV shows, movies and video games, with some standouts being in Batman Forever portrayed by Jim Carrey and in The Batman portrayed by Paul Dano.
5. Mister Freeze
Though the more modern portrayals of Batman's frozen foe are adapted from his appearance on Batman: The Animated Series this in fact wasn't where Mister Freeze got his screen debut. In the 1966 series, Mister Freeze is the criminal moniker of Dr. Art Schivel who was created after Batman accidentally exposed him to cryogenic chemicals during his first arrest. Mister Freeze has gone on to appear in many pieces of media including Batman and Robin portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger and had a large role in the Batman: Arkham Game series.
6. The Penguin
One of Batman's most well-known villains, The Penguin made his on-screen debut in 1966 portrayed by the late Burgess Meredith. Following his rise to popularity attributed to the show's success, The Penguin has appeared in many adaptations across media, including the tv show Gotham, portrayed by Robin Lord Taylor, on the big screen in Batman Returns, portrayed by Danny Devito, and in The Batman portrayed by Collin Farrel.
7. Catwoman
The feline femme fatale has always had a tenouous relationship with Batman, and it was the '66 series that brought this relationship to the screen. Portrayed by actresses Julie Newmar, Lee Merriweather and Eartha Kitt, Catwoman left a mark on the Batman mythos which led her to being featured in adaptations to this day. Some notable outings for the Cat include Batman Returns where she was portrayed by Michelle Pfeifer and most recently in The Batman portrayed by Zoe Kravitz.
8. Batgirl
One of Batman's most trusted allies outside of his Robins, Batgirl got her on-screen start in 1966 portrayed by the late Yvonne Craig. Since this appearance, Batgirl has had some starring roles in Batman: The Animated Series, Birds of Prey and Harley Quinn.
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And hey, I know Arnold did a admirable job as Mr Freeze, but the pic in this quiz does not look like him. Am I wrong or does it resemble Eli Wallach?
1. Bill Finger has been acknowledged as a Co Creator but not the "original" creator; he contributed ideas to a character already created by Bob Kane, for which Bill was hired.
2. With the exception of Penguin and Catwoman (2 of Kane's favorites) most of these characters were after thoughts. False Face was created for the show because Two Face and his ghastly origin was too terrifying for T.V. Even. recent mass media efforts use a revised version of his origin.
3. Aunt Harriet may have been created by editorial mandate to assure some that Batman and Robin were just really good friends.
4. The Barbara Gordon Batgirl was actually Co Created by one of the show's producers! They wanted a new female character and suggested she be Comissioner Gordon's ( unmentioned in the comics) daughter! Her debut in the comics was timed to come close to the first episode of Season 3! And if you notice, Yvonne Craig's costume is very similar to the costume MOTH wore in The Riddler 2 parter "Ring Of Wax"!
Julie Newmar's Catwoman had the hots for him. When she wasn't trying to kill Batman, she wanted him to be her boyfriend. It would have been interesting to see Eartha Kitt's Catwoman have the same relationship, but racial mores of the time wouldn't have allowed it.
But I can't remember which Catwoman. I think you're right, but most of that was changing before I was aware.
People make a fuss about The Kiss in Star Trek, but at about eight, it meant nothing to me. But I liked her character.
Little known fact. Newmar's professional listing had her at 5'11" because at the time it was considered unseemingly for a woman to be 6'. Some studio heads thought it a liability, my guess being that because so many leading men were considerably shorter than 6'.
This perceived Height disadvantage wasn't limited to women either. A studio head once told Christopher Lee to seek another vocation because at 6'5" he was too tall to make it as an actor.
When "Julia" came on, I was aware that people said it was groundbreaking, but ut was just another show to me.
I'm not perfect, but I missed a lot of that baggage by being born in 1959.
