Batman: The Movie
Directed by Leslie H. Martinson
Written by Lorenzo Semple Jr. based on characters created by Bob Kane
1966/USA
William Dozier Productions
First viewing/Amazon Instant
[box] The Riddler: You and your trained, exploding shark!
The Penguin: How was I to know they’d have a can of shark-repellent Batspray handy?[/box]
I remember the TV series fondly from my youth. This feature-length version is just as fun.
The fate of the planet is at stake when the world’s most dastardly villains – the Penguin (Burgess Meredith), the Joker (Cesar Romero), the Riddler (Frank Gorshin) and Cat Woman (Lee Meriwhether) team up to form the United Underworld. They hope to take over the world by dehydrating the members of the United World Security Council!
It’s Batman (Adam West) and Robin(Burt Ward) to the rescue! Ninety minutes of comic-book style chicanery and adventure ensue.
I didn’t fully remember just how entertaining this stuff was. Smile plastered across face the entire time. The villains are the best part and Meredith’s Penguin is beyond perfect. Pure mindless entertainment at its best.
