Pages

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Batman On Screen

This month marks the long-awaited release of Christopher Nolan's last film of his Batman trilogy "Batman: The Dark Knight Rises" starring Christian Bale in the title role. Batman is arguably the most famous super hero in the world and has been a constant source of entertainment since his first appearance in Detective Comics #27 as The Bat-Man.


Today's blog isn't so much about photos but rather a chronolgy of Batman's appearance on both the big screen and little screen. Sometimes he took center stage and was the main character of the show. Other times he appeared as part of a super hero ensemble and he doesn't always appear with his side-kick Robin. He first appeared in Columbia's 15-part serial in 1943 and wouldn't reappear until 1949 when Columbia released another 15-part serial. Then there was a long dry spell when at last he shows up in a highly unusual and very campy television series in 1966. It was this extremely popular series which seemed to have finally kick-started Batman's popularity and he's hardly been out of sight since.



This list was a real bear to put together. At first I figured it would only take a couple of quick clicks on the Internet and I'd have everything I needed - NOT! Just as soon as everything looked to be in place, there were more shows popping up in searches and, although there are some good sites with a lot of information, no one site has it all. I do believe the list presented here today is the most comprehensive currently available in regards to dates, titles, and format (serials, TV series, movies, etc). HOWEVER, it does not include comprehensive plots, production notes, etc., and is therefore meant only as a springboard for further research. Enjoy!


1) 1943: 15 Chapter Serial “Batman”
Columbia Pictures (Columbia’s first foray into the superhero serial and National/ DC Comic’s  first character to be adapted for film).

Batman: Lewis Wilson
Robin: Douglas Croft
Alfred: William Austin
Dr. Daka: J. Carrol Naish


2) 1949: 15 Chapter Serial “Batman and Robin”
Columbia Pictures

Batman: Robert Lowery
Robin: Johnny Duncan
Commissioner Gordon: Lyle Talbot
Professor Hammil: William Fawcett
The Wizard: Leonard Penn


3) 1966: Television Live Action Series “Batman”
20th Century Fox airing on ABC
Jan 12, 1966 – Mar 14, 1968

This campy, near slap-stick style take on Batman has been called “the biggest TV phenomenon of the mid-1960s” and was broadcast twice weekly for its first two seasons resulting in a production run of 120 episodes.

Bruce Wayne / Batman: Adam West
Dick Grayson / Robin: Burt Ward
Alfred Pennyworth: Alan Napier
Barbara Gordon / Batgirl: Yvonne Craig
Commissioner James Gordon: Neil Hamilton
Chief Miles O’Hara: Stafford Repp
Catwoman: Julie Newmar (Season 1 and 2) / Eartha Kitt (Season 3)
Joker: Cesar Romero
Penguin: Burgess Meredith
The Riddler: Frank Gorshin (Season 1 and 3)/ John Aston (Season 2)
Olga, Queen of the Cossacks: Anne Baxter
Louie the Lilac: Milton Berle
King Tut: Victor Buono
Marsha, Queen of Diamonds: Carolyn Jones
Mr. Freeze: George Sanders (1st appearance)  / Otto Preminger (2nd appearance) / Eli Wallach (final appearance)
Egghead: Vincent Price
Shame: Cliff Robertson
Mad Hatter: David Wayne
Colonel Gumm: Roger C. Carmel


4) 1966: Leslie H. Martinson’s “Batman: The Movie"
20th Century Fox

Bruce Wayne / Batman: Adam West
Dick Grayson / Robin: Burt Ward
Alfred Pennyworth: Alan Napier
Commissioner James Gordon: Neil Hamilton
Chief Miles O’Hara: Stafford Repp
Catwoman: Lee Meriwether
Joker: Cesar Romero
Penguin: Burgess Meredith
Riddler: Frank Gorshin


5) 1968-69: Animated Series “Batman/Superman Hour”
Produced by Filmation and airing on CBS

The first Saturday morning cartoon featuring the classic ensemble of Batman, Robin and their legion of classic enemies like Joker, Riddler, Penguin, Catwoman, etc.


6) 1968: Animated Series “The Adventures of Batman” (aka Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder)
Ducovny Productions airing on CBS
Sep 14, 1968 – Jan 4, 1969

A showcase of the 12-minute Batman segments from The Batman/Superman Hour, sometimes broken up by and surrounding another cartoon from Filmation's fast growing stream of superheroes.


7) 1968 Animated Series “Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder”
Sep 1969

A re-branded 30-minute version premiered on CBS on September 13, 1969 as Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder. This version was repackaged without the Superman and Superboy segments.


8) 1972: The New Scooby Doo Movies “Scooby-Doo Meets Batman"
Hanna-Barbera

a) Episode: “A Dynamic Scooby-Doo Affair”
Season 1 Episode #2 aired Sep 16, 1972

Batman
Robin
Joker
Penguin

b) Episode: “The Caped Crusader Caper”
Season 1 Episode #15 aired Dec 16, 1972

Batman
Robin
Joker
Penguin


9) 1973: Animated Series “Super Friends” (aka Super Friends I)
Produced by Hanna-Barbera and National Periodical Publications airing on ABC
Sep 8, 1973 – Aug 24, 1974

Superman
Batman
Robin
Wonder Woman
Aquaman


10) 1977: Animated Series “The New Adventures of Batman”
Produced by Filmation and airing on CBS
Feb 10, 1977 – May 28, 1977

Bruce Wayne /  Batman: Adam West
Dick Grayson / Robin: Burt Ward
Batgirl
Bat-Mite

Per Wikipedia: “The New Adventures of Batman was produced concurrently with Super Friends, which was produced by the competing Hanna-Barbera Productions and included Batman and Robin as members, marking a rare occurrence in animation history which saw two studios simultaneously producing series featuring the same characters. The main distinction was that in Filmation’s series, Batman and Robin were voiced by Adam West and Burt Ward, the lead actors of the 1960s Batman series. Hanna-Barbera's Batman and Robin were voiced by Olan Soule and Casey Kasem, who also voiced the Dynamic Duo for Filmation's 1968 version, The Batman/Superman Hour.”


11) 1977: Animated Series “The All New Super Friends Hour” (aka Super Friends II)
Produced by Hanna-Barbera airing on ABC
Sep 10, 1977 – Sep 2, 1978

Per Wikipedia: “The popularity of TV's Wonder Woman and The Six Million Dollar Man spurred network interest in reviving the Super Friends program, which had run in the 1973/1974 season. When it was again unveiled in 1977, more young children and teenagers than before tuned in, making The All-New Super Friends Hour a huge ratings success. The success prompted the ABC television network to plan a new and even more innovative series for the fall of 1978.”


12) 1978: Animated Series “Challenge of the Super Friends” (aka Super Friends III)
Produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions for Warner Bros. Television
Sep 9 1978 – Dec 23 1978, 16 episodes

Arguably the best effort to-date  to portray comic book heroes in animated television series.


13) 1979: Animated Series “The World’s Greatest Super Friends” (aka Super Friends IV)
Produced by Hanna-Barbera airing on ABC
Sep 22, 1979 – Sep 27, 1980

This particular incarnation of Super Friends relied heavily on folklore and classic fairy tales for plots.


14) 1980: Animated Series “Super Friends” [aka Super Friends V (Season 1) & Super Friends VI (Season 2)]
Produced by Hanna-Barbera airing on ABC
1980 - 1982

A series of seven minute shorts in a one hour format.


15) 1984: Animated Series “Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show” (aka Super Friends VII)
Produced by Hanna-Barbera airing on ABC
1984 - 1985


16) 1985: Animated Series “The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians” (aka Super Friends VIII)
Produced by Hanna-Barbera aired on ABC
1985 - 1986


17) 1989: Theatrical Movie, Tim Burton’s “Batman"
Warner Bros

Batman: Michael Keaton
No Robin
Alfred Pennyworth: Michael Gough
Commissioner James Gordon: Pat Hingle
Joker Jack Nicholson


18) 1992: Theatrical Movie,  Tim Burton’s “Batman Returns"
Warner Bros

Due to violence and sexual innuendos the movie suffered a ‘parental backlash’ deeming it unsuitable for children. As a result McDonald’s canceled its happy meal tie-ins for this movie.

Bruce Wayne / Batman: Michael Keaton
No Robin
Alfred Pennyworth: Michael Gough
Commissioner James Gordon: Pat Hingle
Penguin: Danny DeVito
Catwoman: Michelle Pfeiffer


19) 1992-1995: Animated Series “Batman: The Animated Series”
Warner Bros. Animation and airing on the Fox Network

The distinctive visual combination of film noir imagery and Art Deco designs with a very dark color scheme was called "Dark Deco" by the producers.


20) 1993: Animated Movie, Released Theatrically “Batman: Mask of the Phantasm” (also known as “Batman: The Animated Movie”)
Warner Bros. Animation

(Based on “Batman: The Animated Series”)


21) 1995: Theatrical Movie, Joel Schumacher’s “Batman Forever"
Warner Bros

Bruce Wayne /Batman: Val Kilmer
Dick Grayson / Robin: Chris O’Donnell
Alfred: Michael Grough
Commissioner James Gordon: Pat Hingle
Harvey Dent / Two-Face: Tommy Lee Jones
Edward Nygma / The Riddler: Jim Carrey
Dr. Chase Meridian: Nicole Kidman


22) 1997: Theatrical Movie, Joel Schumacher’s “Batman and Robin”
Warner Bros

Panned by critics and fans alike, this movie is widely considered to be one of the worst super hero films of all time.

Bruce Wayne / Batman: George Clooney
Dick Grayson / Robin: Chris O’Donnell
Alfred: Michael Grough
Barbara Wilson / Batgirl: Alicia Silverstone
Commissioner James Gordon: Pat Hingle
Dr. Victor Fries / Mr. Freeze: Arnold Schwarzenegger
Dr. Pamela Isley / Poison Ivy: Uma Thurman
Bane: Jeep Swenson


23) 1997-99: Animated Series “The New Batman Adventures"
Warner Bros. Animation


24) 1998: Animated Film, Direct to Video “Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero
(Also based on “Batman: The Animated Series”)


25) 1999-2001: Animated Series “Batman Beyond"
Warner Bros. Animation


26) 2000: Animated Film, Direct to Video “Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
(Based on “Batman Beyond”)


27) 2001: OnStar TV Commercial / “Birds of Prey” Pilot Episode

Batman: Bruce Thomas


28) 2003: Television Movie “Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt”

A tongue-in-cheek reunion of Adam West and Burt Ward combining recreations of the filming of the original series using younger actors playing Batman and Robin in flashbacks interlaced with modern day footage of the two searching for a stolen Batmobile

Adam West as himself
Flashback Adam West / Batman: Jack Brewer
Burt Ward as himself
Flashback Burt Ward / Robin: Jason Marsden
Frank Gorshin as himself
Julie Newmar as herself
Waitress: Lee Meriwether
Lyle Waggoner (who originally auditioned for the 1966 TV series)
Betty White


29) 2003: Animated Film, Direct to Video “Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman
(Based on “The New Batman Adventures”)


30) 2004-2008: Animated Series “The Batman"
Warner Bros


31) 2005: Theatrical Movie, Christopher Nolan’s “Batman Begins”

This re-boot (re-telling of a story) re-imagines Bruce Wayne’s transformation from playboy to crime fighter and introduces an entirely new type of Batmobile, called ‘The Tumbler’.

Bruce Wayne / Batman: Christian Bale
No Robin
Alfred Pennyworth: Michael Caine
Lucius Fox: Morgan Freeman
Henri Ducard / Ra’s Al Ghul: Liam Neeson
Sergeant James Gordon: Gary Oldman
Dr. Jonathan Crane / Scarecrow: Cillian Murphy


32) 2008: Theatrical Movie, Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight”
Warner Bros.

Having earned over $1 billion in revenue worldwide, it is the eleventh highest-grossing film of all time. The film received eight Academy Award nominations, and won for Best Sound Editing and Best Supporting Actor for Ledger's performance.

Bruce Wayne / Batman: Christian Bale
No Robin
Alfred Pennyworth: Michael Caine
Commissioner James Gordon: Gary Oldman
Lucius Fox: Morgan Freeman
Harvey Dent / Two-Face: Aaron Eckhardt
Joker: Heath Ledger


33) 2008-2011: Animated Series “Batman: The Brave and the Bold”
Cartoon Network


34) 2008: Animated Films, Direct to Video “Batman: Gotham Knight” (a collection of six short films based on “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight”)
DC Universe Animated Original Movie


35) 2009: Animated Film, Direct to Video “Superman/Batman: Public Enemies” (based on the comic book)
DC Universe Animated Original Movie


36) 2010: Animated Film, Direct to Video “Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths” (inspired by “JLA: Earth”)
DC Universe Animated Original Movie


37) 2010: Animated Film, Direct to Video “Batman: Under the Red Hood” (based on “Batman: Under the Hood”)
DC Universe Animated Original Movie


38) 2010: Animated Film, Direct to Video “Superman/Batman: Apocalypse” (based on the comic book)
DC Universe Animated Original Movie


39) 2011: Animated Film, Direct to Video “Batman: Year One” (based on the graphic novel)
DC Universe Animated Original Movie


40) 2012: Animated Film, Direct to Video “Justice League: Doom”(based on “JLA: Tower of Babel”)
DC Universe Animated Original Movie


41) 2012: Animated Film, Direct to Video “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns”(the graphic novel adapted into two parts)
DC Universe Animated Original Movie


42) 2012: Theatrical Movie, Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Rises”
Warner Bros

Scheduled for release July 20, 2012

Bruce Wayne / Batman: Christian Bale
No Robin
Alfred Pennyworth: Michael Caine
Commissioner James Gordon: Gary Oldman
Lucius Fox: Morgan freeman
Bane: Tom Hardy
Selina Kyle/Catwoman: Anne Hathaway

43) 2013 CGI Animated Series “Beware The Batman”
DC Universe & Cartoon Network

Produced in 2012 the series is not due to air until 2013 on Cartoon Network and is the replacement for Batman: The Brave and the Bold.