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William Dozier, the creator of the 1960's Batman series: ''I didn't feel there was anything meaningful about Batman.''
Dozier wasn't shy about the importance of silliness on a show like his.
Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution
Look, if you ever discover the meaning of life, be sure to let us know. However, it seems like people get so caught up in what everything means that they forget to actually live and enjoy their lives. Sometimes, doing something for the purpose of having fun is a decent enough reason in itself.
While today, Batman is considered one of the more serious superheroes, older generations will remember a time when the character was openly and brazenly silly, much to the delight of fans everywhere.
Of course, we're talking about the 1960's series, Batman, starring Burt Ward and Adam West. In previous interviews, West actually explained that what drew him to the role was the absurdity of the series played completely seriously by the characters.
Serious creator William Dozier was open about the fact that there wasn't any deeper hidden agenda in Batman.
"I didn't feel there was anything meaningful about Batman," said Dozier during an interview with the Los Angeles Times. "Batman wasn't intended to be meaningful."
While West found a certain charm in the series, Dozier explained that creating the series was more of a professional decision than anything else.
"I'm in business too," he said. "The same as the networks. I don't feel that every television show has to be meaningful. They couldn't possibly be. There must be a variety. Batman was designed primarily and totally to entertain, and it did. It didn't demean its audience. Children didn't learn anything bad from Batman. They learned a few very high moral principles."
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15 Comments
In my opinion, THIS was the one and ONLY Batman! Forget those damn Rated R movies and animated specials with the brooding, angry, anti-hero, that's not my Batman! Batman is heroic, strong, and family friendly! Adam West will always be the Batman I love!
Well, i think the new Prime cartoon is pretty good if you can get past the fact that Penguin is transgender...LOL!
Penguin is WHAAAAAAAAT?! DEAR GOD, they're even ruining Batman!! I assume that one is R rated too?
I disagree with Dozier here. Sure, the series was funny. However, if anyone learned a "few very high moral principles", that is meaningful to me.
As a child growing up in the 70's I would have to disagree with Mr. Dozier's assessment of the Batman TV show and the character itself...Batman. In my opinion the Batman TV show was meaningful in many ways reflecting on the mind of a child. And when I think about my experience coming home after school anticipating the clock winding down to 4:30 in the afternoon. That was the time when I would sit on the floor in front of that floor model television excited about the next adventure for my hero or watch how my hero and his sidekick gets out of the latest trap for them ensuing in the cliffhanger episode the next day. The fact that as a child I was even unacknowledging why millionaire Bruce Wayne chose to create a costume that hopefully would strike fear in criminals causing chaos and mayhem in Gotham City, as well as the challenge of dealing with criminals possessing psychological issues such as guys who label themselves with names like The Joker, The Penguin and The Riddler to name a few. The good guy versus the bad guy was meaningful to me. Just as I would see a cop walking the beat in New York City where I was born and raised. As an adult in my late 50's I still watch Batman on MeTV, I must admit I'm no longer glued to the TV as I watch it the way I was so focused watching Batman as a kid. Although I was oblivious to the silliness at 10 years old, However I certainly laugh and shake my head at the silliness I can acknowledge now at my age. Coincidentally, Mr. Dozier re-introduced to the world by way of television for the first time as opposed to kids going to the theater and pay their three or five cents in 1966. The year I was born, my admiration started 9 years later in front of that floor model Zenith television. That was meaningful for me, not business of course. Which is why I disagree with the businessman Mr. Dozier, I understand but I don't agree. As a middle aged man Batman is still my hero and I definitely can't wait for the Batman 2 premier in 2026 hoping I will be around in my 60th year of life to watch it in the ol theater with my popcorn in my lap..I'm certain that will be meaningful for me.
That is a very nice and inspiring post. I was also born the same year as you. I also remember coming home from grade school with my younger brother in the 1970s and watching Batman; we always looked forward to it. I don't remember all of the episodes now though, like the one with Jerry Lewis. I am sure you will enjoy the premiere of Batman 2 when it comes out in 2026, as will I.
Thank you very much @ Jacki, and the fact that you and I are the same age assures me that you know and understand my sentiment towards the Batman character as you do as well. Did your brother watch Batman along with you? Lol.. My favorite episode(s) are the very first episodes Pts. 1&2 with The Riddler, the first season two part episodes with False Face, and the two part episodes featuring The Green Hornet and Kato. Speaking of the character of "False Face" that particular character was the first and last time you saw him on the Batman show because the producers and Mr. Dozier received several letters from concerned parents that the "False Face" character was too "scary" for their children to watch as parents supposedly were experiencing traumatic emotional experiences after watching the character on the show, so the producers and I suppose Mr. Dozier scrapped the False Face character for good. His appearance on the show didn't overwhelm me into a post traumatic frenzy Lol. Do you remember those particular episodes? I enjoyed those episodes mainly because I saw those two episodes as being quite unique as opposed to the zany escapades when The Joker, Catwoman or even the character "Shame" co-starred on the show. The one show from my childhood that caused me several traumatic experiences was the 60's "The Munsters" TV show Ha!. I had a difficult time watching actor Fred Gwynne in his Herman Munster/Frankenstein make-up. As the youngest of three children with two older bossy sisters they would sometimes hold me down in front of the television attempting to force me to get over my fears and watch The Munsters which I scrambled and flung my arms and legs to try to get free from their restraints to run from the television. My sisters version of "Aggressive Therapy" Ha! You mentioned Jerry Lewis being on the show, I remember Jerry Lewis in the "window scenes" where a surprise actor, entertainer, or performer would suddenly pop out of a window as Batman and Robin are performing their "Bat-walk" up a roof. I remember actor Alan Hale Jr. (The skipper from Gilligan's Island) was a guest star on the show featuring the villain "Egghead" aka Vincent Price. Alan Hale portrayed the owner of a malt shop named "Gilligan" on that episode. Also another episode I remember featuring actor Jerry Mathers aka The Beaver of the "Leave it To Beaver" TV show of the 50's portraying an ice cream shop employee and as "Pop" the stage doorman on the show as well. I wish The Batman 2 was coming out in theaters sooner like 2025! Lol but hey I can wait Lol and Thanks I'm sure I will enjoy it and I'm certain you will enjoy it as well.
Hi Kaydee, actually my brother was the one who got me interested in watching Batman. He loved that show, so I watched it with him. He has a better memory than me on some things; he probably remembers more about the show than I do. Lol. I do share your sentiment about the show. I loved the premise; the good guys vs. the bad guys, and I liked the fact that millionaire, Bruce Wayne, dedicated himself to fight against evil even though he could have lived the life as a rich playboy, he wanted to fight against evil. I did like the episodes with the Riddler. I remember episodes with the Penguin, the Joker, and Egghead. I do remember seeing False Face; I didn't think he was scary either. Now Cesar Romero's makeup for the Joker was a little "ugly" to me, but not too scary; he reminded me of a clown and to this day I don't care for clowns, they sort of "freak me out" Lol. I used to love the "bat-walk". I wish I could remember the one with Jerry Lewis, but I can't; maybe I'll come across it on MeTV reruns. You have an excellent memory. I remember seeing the Munsters on reruns and the Adams Family as a kid; I didn't really care for either of those shows. I'm so sorry your sisters did that to you. As an older sister, I didn't make my brother watch anything he didn't like. We tried to look out for each other even to this day. I'm sure that the Batman 2 movie will be good; it seems like Hollywood always takes so long to make a movie. I'm sure we'll enjoy it when it's released. Oh, and by the way, when I signed up for the MeTV app, my name "Jackie" was already taken, so I had to take the "e" off for the app. It's been nice posting with you about the Batman show and the upcoming The Batman 2 movie. Maybe Hollywood will surprise us and release the movie sooner than 2026, stranger things have happened. 😊
He does sound cranky and a bit of a "know-it-all". Things can be fun and silly; why not? Everyone needs something to smile about. 😄
Bill sounds a little cranky ... just enjoy Batman's success, man! It was great at the time!
It was just good fun not everything has to be Shakespear
The meaning I came away with is...when ascending the side of a building via rope ALWAYS be on guard for sudden, frightening, Jerry Lewis.
That is too funny ... I remember well when Ol Jer popped out that window ... it was like he had to be everywhere at that time, and yeah it was jarring. "HeeeyyyyLLLAAAAAAA-DEEEEEEEE!"
😂
Oh, I haven't seen that episode. I'll have to be on the lookout for it. 😄