Batman at the Chateau Marmont

As a kid, the 1966 “Batman” TV series was one of my favorites; as an adult, its appeal has only increased as I now appreciate even more the nuanced performances by Adam West and Burt Ward. Amidst the absurdity of the guest stars, the scripts, and the costumes, those two played the characters as if they were grounded in reality. Brilliant! It was a no-brainer during my recent illness that while relegated to the couch I would pull out my “Batman” blu-ray set and indulge in a little nostalgia. While doing so I noticed a few interesting details in the episode that originally aired on January 20, 1965 titled “The Penguin’s a Jinx.” Leslie Parrish has a bit role as a bored movie star, Dawn Robbins, who wishes something exciting would happen in her dull life.



Where is she staying while in Gotham City? Naturally at the Pelican Arms Hotel!



Batman & Robin race to save her from being kidnapped by the Penguin. As they pull up in the Batmobile, you can see a large billboard in the background.



What’s this? Holy Governess, Batman! It’s a poster for “The Sound of Music!”



Much of the 1966 TV series was shot on the 20th Century-Fox backlot. The studio owed a lot to that blockbuster musical; even a few years back when I visited Fox, they were still paying homage to the Julie Andrews movie with this mural on the side of one of their parking lots:



Back to Batman…as the camera shows an exterior shot of the Pelican Arms Hotel and Dawn’s penthouse apartment, viewers see...what’s this? Holy Hollywood, Batman, it’s the Chateau Marmont!



Who knew there was a Gotham City connection to my favorite hotel?



See more “Batman” photos at my main website.

RIP Green Hornet

Van Williams, best known as Britt Reid, aka "The Green Hornet," in the 1966 TV show, passed away on November 2016. My apologies for just finding out! Here are some shots of him working out with Robert Conrad at what I believe is the Warner Brothers Studio gym. The things guys will do for publicity.



I wonder what direction the photographer was giving while these were being shot?



Here are some shots of Adam West and Van, promoting their blockbuster TV shows, "Batman" and "The Green Hornet."



Both casts and vehicles from the two shows.



For more Movie, TV, and Pop Culture photos visit my main website.

Yvonne Craig as Batgirl

Growing up, I used to love to watch the 1960's TV classic, "Batman," starring Adam West and Burt Ward as the Caped Crusaders. The powers that be decided that Season 3 of the wildly popular show needed a jolt of estrogen; dancer and actress Yvonne Craig fit the bill perfectly. As mild-mannered librarian Barbara Gordon, she was privy to all of the Caped Crusader's activities, thanks to her father being the Police Commissioner. In this first photo, we see some serious goings on with Neil Hamilton on the left (Commissioner Gordon), Stafford Repp (as Chief O'Hara), and Craig. Barbara was a smart cookie who somehow was able to afford a very chic apartment in Gotham; was daddy subsidizing the rent for her?

As this photo shows, there was no denying that Craig as Barbara Gordon had appeal.



But when she transformed into the ginger-wigged Batgirl, sporting a very form-fitting purple lycra costume, she was a literal knockout. Craig's training as a ballet dancer served her well when fighting criminals. Her high-kicks were legendary.



Sadly, the powers-that-be decided to stick with a decidedly 1960's chauvinist approach to the Batgirl character. Inevitably, Batgirl got captured by the criminals (in this case, Cliff Robertson as Shame) and it was Batman and Robin that had to save her. Still, Craig did her best to play Batgirl as a very liberated yet sexually flirtatious heroine.



If only the writers had been allowed to have Craig be the rescuer; maybe the show would have lasted a bit longer.



Holy Toledo! Want more Batgirl photos? Ride your Bat Cycle on over to my main website.