Batman: The Complete First Season

The best of the three seasons of the Batman television series (1966-1968) was the first HALF season in early 1966. This was when the show was at its best in terms of having a delicate balance of memorable characters, stories, good scripts, quality sets, suspense, seriousness, darkness, humor, camp, and overall quality in general. The first half season of early 1966 was when the camp element was there, but didn't go overboard. It had the highest budget as well. Beginning with the second season (which was still good), which ran from late 1966 to early 1967, the scripts started getting ridiculous and the show got more and more campy as time went on. Overall quality was starting to go downhill as well. It was also when guest stars started taking over with their window cameos and guest villains were numerous. Don't get me wrong, it was still a good season and very entertaining, but it wasn't quite the same as the first half season. The third season (late 1967 to early 1968) was when the episodes just got way too campy and ridiculous (though I do like Batgirl). I still like this camp element I'm describing, but there's a noticeable night and day difference between Season 1 and Season 3. So, if you don't want to purchase the entire series, but want the best of the three seasons, then Batman: Season 1 is the DVD set to get. I feel it is the best overall batch of episodes in the entire series. It was when the show was in its infancy and struck that delicate balance I mention above. The set contains 5 DVDs for a total of 34 episodes. The picture and sound quality are both excellent. Much better than watching re-runs playing on cable TV. There are no extras on this set, but if you just want the episodes and nothing more, then this set will deliver. If you already own Batman: The Movie (1966) and Holy Batmania! like I do, then you know that both of those contain excellent extras and documentaries. The documentaries/extras on those two DVDs might make you feel that it's unnecessary to acquire the extras and documentaries that are part of the newly released complete three season, 120 episode Batman television series DVD sets (DVD or Blu Ray). At least that's how I feel, anyway. I'm satisfied with what I already own. On the other hand, YOU might want to acquire the new extras/documentaries on the 120 episode set. But again, if you just want the episodes and no extras, then Batman: Season 1 is the set to get.

Batman was the very first show I watched on a color TV as a young child. I often watched it in reruns as a young adult; now I'm looking at it through the eyes of a middle-aged person, and as an amateur reviewer. For the first time I'm noticing how the 1966 Batman Live-Action TV Show was a product of its times, in much the same way the 1950's Adventures of Superman (AOS) was. There is a little moralizing in Season One, none of which I really noticed as a child; also brief references to God and prayer. As in AOS, despite being a "kiddie" show, the regular actors and guest stars take their roles seriously, even if the plot-lines weren't always very good. I will elaborate more on this later. Episode-wise, season 1 has mostly the "usual" rogue of regular guest star villains: The Riddler, the Joker, the Penguin, and Catwoman. Riddler appears in four two-part episodes, Penguin in three two-part episodes, Joker in three two-part episodes, and Catwoman in one two-part episode. There are six non-regular guest-villains in Season 1: Mister Freeze, Zelda the Great, The Mad Hatter, False Face, King Tut, and The Bookworm. Zelda, False Face, and the Bookworm make their only appearances in the first season, while Mister Freeze and Mad Hatter also appear in Season 2. King Tut appears in all three seasons. As another reviewer stated, Batman's first season hadn't yet been taken over by the special guest star villains. In Season One all of the episodes are in two parts: Part one introduces the guest villain, and ends with Batman and Robin in a cliff-hanger predicament; part two has Batman and Robin escaping their predicament, and, with the exception of the Zelda episodes, near the end, physically battling the villains (to some rocking music, and punch "POW" graphics), eventually bringing them to justice. Well, being gentlemen, neither Batman nor Robin would ever think of hitting a villain-ness... There is a flyer included in this collection that lists all of the 34 episodes in the order they first appeared, the dates they were originally shown (one of which was first broadcast on my sixth birthday!), and a synopsis of the story (which I may, or may not give). The episodes on Batman: Season 1 are as follows: 1-2: HI DIDDLE DIDDLE/SMACK IN THE MIDDLE. The pilot episode and concluding part, featuring Frank Gorshin as the Riddler. It introduces the regular non-villainous characters Bruce Wayne/Batman, Dick Grayson/Robin, faithful Wayne butler Alfred Pennyworth, Police Commissioner Gordon, Police Chief O'Hara, and Dick Grayson's Aunt, Harriet Cooper. (I don't recall Chief O'Hara or Aunt Harriet ever being in the comics; perhaps they were ad-ins to just this show?) It also introduces some neat Bat-gadgets, and, of course, the neatest gadget of all, the Batmobile! Part one is the only time there is any mention of the murders of Bruce Wayne 's parents, and it is done very poignantly by Adam West as Bruce Wayne. This is also the first of the three episodes where the villain hopes to unmask Batman and Robin. Ironically enough, in part one Riddler hopes to do so through the legal system! This is the first of three stories from season one where only Robin is placed in jeopardy. 3-4: FINE FEATHERED FINKS/THE PENGUIN'S A JINX. This features the villain Penguin, who is played by Burgess Meredith, whom was Sylvester Stallone's trainer in the first two Rocky movies, and part of the third Rocky movie. Part one of this episode is the first of the two stories that feature only Batman in jeopardy, and the first as his alter-ego Bruce Wayne. In part two the reason for Batman's costume is disclosed. In the first Batman comic book, Bruce Wayne gives the explanation; in this episode, Commissioner Gordon explains. 5-6: THE JOKER IS WILD/BATMAN IS RILED. This features the villain Joker, who is played by Cesar Romero. Part one ends with the Joker threatening to unmask Batman and Robin. Part two begins with Batman and Robin getting out of that predicament through Batman's utility belt, and ends in similar fashion. 7-8: INSTANT FREEZE/RATS LIKE CHEESE. This features Mister Freeze, portrayed here by George Sanders (who was the best of the three at playing the frosty fellow. Two other actors played Mister Freeze in Season Two). Part one gives a brief synopsis of the causation of Mister Freeze's inability to live outside of frigid temperatures and it concludes with Batman and Robin being frozen. Part two begins with the dynamic dual being thawed out. Later on, Batman is involved in a hostage exchange that Robin exerts himself into to save his pal. We also learn yet another reason the Gotham City Police Department needs extra help, as O'Hara and company get lost trying to follow Robin's directions to Mister Freeze's hideout! 9-10: ZELDA THE GREAT/A DEATH WORSE THAN FATE. Zelda, played by Anne Baxter, is the first of the only two female villains in season one. Zelda is an escape artist who, in the conclusion of part one, holds Aunt Harriet hostage. Part two concludes with Zelda saving the lives of Batman and Robin after they escape an inescapable doom trap. 11-12: A RIDDLE A DAY KEEPS THE RIDDLER AWAY/WHEN THE RAT'S AWAY THE MICE WILL PLAY. This is the second two-part episode featuring the Riddler. In part one, the Riddler kidnaps a visiting King from a foreign country to lure Batman and Robin into a death-trap. Part two begins, as usual, with Batman and Robin escaping their doom, and ends with the dynamic dual outriddling Riddler. It is also when Bruce/Batman explains to Dick/Robin that Riddler gave himself away: Riddler reveals what his actual crime is when his stops giving riddles. 13-14: THE THIRTEENTH HAT/BATMAN STANDS PAT. The Mad Hatter, played by David Wayne, steals the jurors that convicted him, and in both parts seeks to uncowl Batman. He almost succeeds in Part one. 15-16: THE JOKER GOES TO SCHOOL/HE MEETS HIS MATCH, THE GRISLY GHOUL. The second two-part episode that features the Joker. Joker rigs high school vending machines, and lures a class mate of Dick Grayson's into a life of crime. Here we learn that Dick Grayson's first name is really Richard. 17-18: TRUE OR FALSE FACE/HOLY RAT RACE. Part one ends in Batman and Robin facing being run over by a train; part two concludes with the derailment of False Face's counterfeiting plans. The identity of the actor who played Face Face is not revealed in the opening credits of either part one or part two, but is revealed in the closing credits. 19-20: THE PURR-FECT CRIME/BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME. Catwoman's one and only appearance in the first season. At the end of part one, Batman faces being killed by a tiger; at the beginning of part two, Robin faces death from two tigers. Catwoman herself faces an uncertain end at the story's conclusion. But, CW resurfaces in the other two seasons. Julie Newmar was Catwoman for seasons one and two. I read that she had adopted two kittens just so she could learn from them how a cat behaved. Smart lady! To me, she will always be the best Catwoman. 21-22: THE PENGUIN GOES STRAIGHT/NOT YET HE AIN'T. The second appearance of Penguin. In part one, Penguin feigns being a good guy, and sullies Batman and Robin's reputations. In part two, Batman and Robin feign insanity, while Penguin steals the Batmobile (albeit temporarily). 23-24: THE RING OF WAX/GIVE 'EM THE AX. The third appearance of Riddler. Riddler waxes long with his riddles while trying to get a book about lost treasures. He gets the book in part one and attempts to dip Batman and Robin in hot wax. As usual, Batman and Robin escape death in part two, and in a museum basement Batman must fight the villain and his henchmen alone to save Robin and the valuable treasures. In part two it is revealed that Riddler hates liars. 25-26: THE JOKER TRUMPS AN ACE/BATMAN SETS THE PACE. The third appearance of the Joker. In part one Joker kidnaps a Maharajah, and traps Batman and Robin in a tower that he is filling with poison gas. In part two, Batman and Robin escape being gassed to death unmask a phony royal. 27-28. THE CURSE OF TUT/THE PHARAOH'S IN A RUT. King Tut, played by Victor Bueno, makes his first and only appearance in these two episodes. In part one, we learn that Tut was once a Yale professor who became Tut by a bad konk on the head. (Tut reverts back to being the Yale prof at the end of part two.) In part one, Bruce Wayne is in jeopardy; in part two it is Batman. 29-30: THE BOOKWORM TURNS/WHILE GOTHAM CITY BURNS. Bookworm, portrayaed By Roddy McDowall, makes his only appearance in this story. At the end of part one, Robin is tied to a bell clapper, with only a minute left before it rings. In part two, Bookworm attempts to scald Batman and Robin to death in a giant cook book, and steals the Batmobile, using its bat-beam to break into a library of rare books. 31-32: DEATH IN SLOW MOTION/THE RIDDLER'S FALSE NOTION. The fourth appearance of the Riddler. In part one, we see part of the range of Frank Gorshin's acting ability, as at the beginning of the story he mimic's silent screen star Charlie Chaplin's Little Tramp. Part one's conclusion leaves Batman trying to maintain order at a spiked Lemonade party, while Robin's in the Riddler's clutches, about to be sawn in half. In part two, Batman has Robin use his teeth to keep from plunging to his death. This is the third time that Robin alone is held captive by a villain, and two of the three it has been the Riddler. 33-34: FINE FINNEY FIENDS. The last episode of the first season, and the third appearance of Penguin. In the story, the Wayne Butler Alfred is kidnapped and brainwashed to reveal secrets about a charity dinner. Part one ends with Batman and Robin trapped in a chamber that steals all the oxygen once all the balloons inside are popped. In part two, Batman and Robin escape the death chamber, and eventually foil Penguin's plans to abscond with the charity money. It is now 'later"... Reiterating my previous comments, everyone who acted on the show, during the first season, at least, took their tasks seriously, even though the material may not have always warranted it. I am impressed at what a good job Adam West does of differentiating the dual characters of Bruce Wayne and Batman in Season 1. At times Burt Ward's portrayals as Dick Grayson and Robin aren't as distinctive For instance, in "The Joker Goes To School" at one point Dick Grayson uses a "Holy..." expression that Robin would normally use. And Dick's mannerisms in that same episode seem more like Robin's. The rest of the regular cast do an excellent job at their respective roles, although sometimes the police seem rather inept. I cannot imagine any others doing the parts of Gordon, O'Hara, Alfred, or Aunt Harriet. I now have a better appreciation of the acting abilities of the guest villains. For some reason, a as child the Joker always scared me. Maybe that's why I don't like clowns very much. Riddler never scared me (although he probably should have!). And Julie Newmar will always be Catwoman to me! Now, my conclusion: Some shows lose their attraction over time as people grow up. The first season of Batman isn't one of those shows. It's just good fun. Lots of silliness, with some sprinklings of seriousness thrown in. I haven't decided yet if I will get the other seasons. Guess I'll turn that Bat-dial when I come to it.

"Batman: Season 1" represents the classic series at its best, for many reasons. Many of this season's episodes were adapted, either directly or indirectly, from stories appearing in "Batman" and "Detective Comics" magazines. Lorenzo Semple Jr.'s pilot script, "Hi Diddle Riddle/Smack in the Middle," for example, was based upon a story which had appeared less than one year earlier in the pages of "Batman." Semple's pop-art adventure writing style defined this season before his participation declined and writers more inclined to camp comedy and outright slapstick took over and sent the series into creative decline. Also, writers during this season were more inclined to use villains such as the Joker, the Penguin, Catwoman and the Riddler-all of whom had originated in comics-rather than creating their own. This season also prominently features Frank Gorshin's wonderfully insane portrayal of the Prince of Puzzlers. Gorshin appeared in nine episodes, then held out for a salary increase during Season 2 in the wake of his Emmy nomination. One Riddler script was rewritten for the Puzzler; the other was produced with John Astin in the role. Astin's a fine actor, but he merely inhabited the role, whereas Gorshin defined it. He returned for one episode in the forgettable final season. Stars Adam West and Burt Ward are also in top form, facing the most absurd of situations and delivering simple moral lessons with great seriousness. Visually, Fox Television was spending money on the series, which showed in the elaborate sets and the use of rotoscoping to superimpose comic book sound effects on each episode's climactic Batfights. If you can afford to purchase only one season of the "Batman" series, this is the one.

Batman: Season 1 is a very different animal from the 2 seasons that followed it. With the highest budget of all 3 seasons, Batman: Season 1 also had the very best writing, attention to detail, stylish cinematography, moody lighting in some episodes, minimal camp, and flat out sense of danger that is downright chilling in some episodes. Who can forget in particular Frank Gorshin as the Riddler in the episode "A Riddle a Day Keeps The Riddler Away?" The Riddler's blood curdling laugh near the cliffhanger as Batman and Robin are spinning to death strapped to those wheels is unsettling to say the least. This episode in particular gives the strongest indication yet that you as the viewer, have stumbled upon an alternate credible reality of comic book mahem come to life where Batman and Robin are up against arch villains (the Riddler in particular) who are all truly insane. Multiple bravos to this episode as well for its dark lighting and spooky cinematography sometimes with the face of the unhinged Riddler filling the television screen. Of course, special praise to the late Frank Gorshin as well for his truly disturbing and unsettling performance as a mad man in this episode. He really threw himself into this episode in particular and just gave it everything he had as a professional actor. Bravo!! The "Purr-fect Crime" had its chilling moments as well. In this first appearance of the Catwoman (Julie Newmar), we the viewers sense that Catwoman has a beginning attraction to Batman, yet she would sick a dangerous tiger on Batman at a moment's notice, mine a dirt road with explosives, and have spiked walls close in on the Dynamic Duo. The spikes ultimately were made out of rubber, but still. This episode is also neat in that we see the Batmobile is definitely a nuclear powered vehicle, requiring a repowering of some sort with Alfred and Robin doing the chore. This changed in seasons two and three in that references were made to the Batmobile needing a quart of oil and regular fuel. My third favorite episode in this first season is the Bookworm episode with Roddy McDowell. The late Roddy McDowell deserves special mention for his performance in this episode as well. He suddenly starts yelling and going off his rocker here and there in this episode, and I also like how he slowly and methodically adjusts the light on his hat. Season 1 of Batman in particular leans in the direction of the manic danger of the Tim Burton Batman films in some instances. The cast and crew went to great lengths in this inaugural season to ground Batman and Robin in a credible and insane alternate reality more nightmarish than the mid 1960s Batman comic books of the time. Yes, Batman runs around in broad daylight in this version of the superhero, but despite that this first season has just the right amount of straight drama, moody atmospherics, traces of camp here and there, unsettling danger, and Batman and Robin really thinking their way through the problems these insane villains create for them. You get the impression that no matter how insane these villains are, Batman and Robin are accustomed to dealing with them, and know how to deal with them without letting the insanity get to them. The Dynamic Duo are seasoned veterans.

This abbreviated season from 20th Century Fox was the one that started the Batman phenomenon when it debuted on ABC in the Winter of 1966 making this comic book character into animation by having Adam West portraying Batman as well as stellar millionaire Bruce Wayne and Burt Ward as Batman's sidekick Robin & Bruce's ward(Dick Grayson), fighting surging crime in Gotham City, NY against unruly crooks like Joker(Cesar Romero), Riddler(Frank Gorshin), Catwoman(Julie Newmar), and Penguin(Burgess Meredith)during this series 1966-68 run on ABC, which showed twice a week with a cliffhanger. This BATMAN series also had some interesting guest starred villains to such as *David Wayne as The Mad Hatter *Roddy McDowell as The Bookworm *Art Carney as The Archer *Van Johnson as The Minstrel *Vincent Price as Egghead *Milton Berle as Louie the Lilac *Rudy Vallee as Lord Marmaduke Fogg *Liberace as Chandelle I used to watch BATMAN in reruns in syndication as a kid and then on the back then Family Channel in 1989, and then on FX from 1995-98, then on TV Land from 2002-03, and now I watch it on MeTV every Saturday night at 7PM before catching WONDER WOMAN at 8PM as part of MeTV's Sci-Fi Saturdays.

A great series full of campy and colorful villains. Viewing the whole family may enjoy.

Behind the poles leading to the bat-Cave was the sign "Bat Poles to Access the Batcave!" Who is that sign for?!? I never noticed when I was a kid how many things are so literally spelled out in the show! The examples of good citizenship can be so funny too! Batman and Robin cut off an iron grate over a building window a few floors up. Robin is about to toss it off the ledge and Batman reminds him about pedestrian safety, then pulls out a handy "bat-hook" and hangs the metal grate on the hook on the buildings wall. :-) All the crazy, campy stuff from the 1968 first season and the stories as they were told. Great image quality, clear audio and unedited content. I couldn't believe in a kids show they would have someone die in the first show and in the second Batman is chained up headed for death in a furnace! Not very politically correct for little kids, but that was why it was so exciting for kids in the 1960s! Great! Plus the one DVD holds 34 episodes with Riddler, Joker, Penguin, Cat woman and more! That's less than a dollar an episode!

The '60s Batman will always be an all time classic for me. I am glad they finally came out in re-mastered and colorfully sharp sets. I enjoy pulling out a disc once in a while and watching one of my favorite episodes. Now I tried to get the kids to watch it, but they respectfully declined. Our boy is in his mid thirties and loves superheros, but he was not interested. This may be because of the impression that the show is campy and stupid. I agree that some of the characters or situations are a little goofy, but that is part of the fun. Give it a try and I think you would also grow fond of the series. For car lovers, the Batmobile is one of the best versions of all. As for characters: the Catwoman, Penquin, Riddler, and Joker are great. Some old series do not stand the test of time. This one is a beloved favorite to fans around the world.

Formidable!!! Il 'est le Batman premier en mon opinion est Adam West est Burt Ward est fantastic - Burgess Meredith aussi

de beaux souvenirs pour les plus vieux d'entre nous , a voir absolument si vous êtes fan .

I love watching these brings back memories I still enjoy watching these as much when I was a child

a described good buy

4 stars instead of five just because there's no French language. I grew up watching the reruns in French. Would have been great to have that option but regardless I'm just glad its finally available on DVD!