20th Century Fox Licensing/Courtesy Everett Collection
Burt Ward and Adam West are seen here using a Batphone inside of the Batmobile in the 1966 film. The film also featured the Batboat and the Batcopter, both used later in the second and third seasons of the television show.
On Jan. 12, 1966, the television series 'Batman,' based on the popular DC Comics, premiered on the ABC network and featured Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as his sidekick Robin. Take a look back at the iconic show-turned-film that brought the Batman comics to life.
Here, Victor Paul (stunt double for Burt Ward) and Hubie Kerns (stunt double for Adam West), are seen cruising in the Batmobile in the 1966 film. The car was a customized 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car created by Ford Motor Company stylists.
Neil Hamilton portrayed Commissioner Gordon of the Gotham City Police Department, one of Batman’s two major police contacts with the force.
Who could forget in the very first episode when Batman goes to a dance and pulls the “Batusi” in one of his moves? The dance move became popular in the 1960s after people saw it on the popular television show.
Sadly near the end of the third season, ratings for the show had dropped off significantly and ABC decided to cancel the show. Reruns of the show were played for a couple years after and can still be seen today on classic television networks.
Robin is pictured here with Batman’s loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth, played by Alan Napier in the television series. If Batman was ever in danger, sometimes Alfred would don the Batman costume to ward off villains.
Burt Ward and Adam West are seen here using a Batphone inside of the Batmobile in the 1966 film. The film also featured the Batboat and the Batcopter, both used later in the second and third seasons of the television show.
Vincent Price played the role of Egghead, one of the dynamic duo’s biggest enemies who called himself “the world’s smartest criminal.” Most of his crimes usually had an egg-motif to them and he frequently would use the word “egg” in his words, like “egg-cellent.”
Although the show only last for three seasons, it was the beginning of a franchise that would turned into numerous films, including one set for release later this year. The dynamic duo reunited in 2014 as spotlight guests at San Diego Comic Con.
