Victor Lana: Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the 'Batman' TV Series

In this last of a series of posts celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Batman TV series, I am turning the spotlight on Batman/Bruce Wayne. I've written about the Batmobile – which deservedly gets a spotlight – the most recurring villains, other villains, and Team Batman, but there was no series worth watching if all those luminaries did not orbit around Batman's sun.

West before Batman

One key ingredient for the success of this series was the casting of Adam West. Series producer and creator William Dozier got the idea to bring in West for an audition after seeing him in a commercial for Nestle's Quik playing a James Bond type spy. West seemed to have the right blend of good looks with a penchant for humor.

Dozier chose him over Carol Burnett Show actor Lyle Waggoner (who also auditioned) because West seemed to have a "cultured persona" that he could work with as Bruce Wayne, a quick wit, and West accepted the fact that this was a live action comic book show. Nothing – absolutely nothing – would be taken seriously. West impressed Dozier because he could say the dialogue that no one else could deliver without laughing.

Having watched all 120 episodes and the movie, I can tell you that West fully embraced the campy, colorful, and total lack of seriousness with vigor. The key was that West had to play both Wayne and Batman as if they were completely unaware of the hilarity all around them.

Batman dancing the Batusi

West had an excellent way of delivering deadpan lines. In one scene he walks into a bar in costume where everyone else is dancing and noticing him, and the waiter asks him if he would like a table. Batman says that he prefers to stand at the bar as to not attract any attention. I laughed out loud at the way he delivered that line perfectly.

Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson

West was handsome with a charisma that exuded from him in every scene. What is interesting is how he interacted with Burt Ward who played Robin/Dick Grayson. Whether they were in the living room of stately Wayne Manor playing chess or out in the street chasing some villain, Bruce/Batman never took his responsibility for his young ward for granted. He would find teachable moments, and we kids who were watching took notice.

While nothing was being taken seriously on screen and the guest actors were over the top and flamboyant, Batman always stood his ground and remained slightly aloof, as if the outrageous goings on did not seem like anything but another normal day on the job.

Driving in the iconic Batmobile

As a kid, I didn't know anything about what was campy or outlandish. I was a fan of the comic books, and I just felt that what I loved to read had been brought to live action in the most perfect way possible. Years later as I watched the series again, all I felt was an overwhelming sense of happiness. Drama and adventure stories have their place, but there is nothing quite like the Batman TV series. It is truly a unique, joyful entertainment experience.

If you are only familiar with the series and West in a casual way, you are doing yourself a disservice. I highly recommending watching the series. Now, it makes me feel like I am in on the joke and, even though I know the punchline, I'm going to laugh anyway.

I hope that you have enjoyed my series of articles about this classic TV series. I will end by saying that I will always be ready for the same Bat time, same Bat channel.

Please check out the videos below to get a feel about what this series was all about!

Batman dancing the Batusi