60s Batman show rights issues resolved!

[Admiral James Kirk]

nightwind1 wrote:

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Whatever your smokin', I hope you brought enough for the whole class...

Thank you for contributing nothing of value to the discussion. I stated an opinion. You're just being an asshole.

[nightwind1]

Admiral James Kirk wrote:

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Thank you for contributing nothing of value to the discussion. I stated an opinion. You're just being an asshole.

You're contributing nothing by calling someone an asshole.

I was making a joke.
You were calling someone an asshole.

See the difference?

[Neroon]

Admiral James Kirk wrote:

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Thank you for contributing nothing of value to the discussion. I stated an opinion. You're just being an asshole.

Infraction for flaming. Comments to PM

[inflatabledalek]

With Batman Forever I was 15, exactly the right age for it and especially to appreciate Nicole Kidman's slinkyness.

On the other hand I think I was a bit too young for Batman Returns at the cinema and found it very dull, though now I think it's the most interesting of the films (and by far the darkest, Dark Knight at least ends with some hope, the message of Returns is we're all fucked up and only getting worse), even if it is hard to love.

[The Mighty Monkey of Mim]

BATMAN FOREVER is the worst one. It's worse than BATMAN & ROBIN. Why? Because BATMAN & ROBIN is clearly intended to be pure camp, much in the vein of and even taking many of its beats from the 60s TV series. It didn't work and it wasn't a good movie but at least it was committed to being a farce from start to finish. It was put on for laughs. BATMAN FOREVER is a heinous mess of a film, its juvenile humor, absurd casting, and ridiculous production design completely at odds with the "dark" "psychological" tone it repeatedly tries very hard to set.

[Ian Keldon]

NONE of the live-action Batman films has come anywhere close to matching the quality of the animated "Timm-verse" Batman films (Mask of the Phantasm, Sub-Zero, and Mystery of the Batwoman).

[Turtletrekker]

Ian Keldon wrote:

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NONE of the live-action Batman films has come anywhere close to matching the quality of the animated "Timm-verse" Batman films (Mask of the Phantasm, Sub-Zero, and Mystery of the Batwoman).

Agreed.

[Christopher]

Ian Keldon wrote:

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NONE of the live-action Batman films has come anywhere close to matching the quality of the animated "Timm-verse" Batman films (Mask of the Phantasm, Sub-Zero, and Mystery of the Batwoman).

Although there's kind of a downward trend in quality there; none of them is bad, but none is as good as its predecessor. Although Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (the director's cut) is very good.

[Frontier]

If there was some redeeming quality about that old show, something akin to how the Original Trek had a good ethical message or some such, I'd be much more accepting of it.

The fact of the matter is though, it's a cheese festival of nonsense. The only argument in it's favor is from the point of view of childhood nostalgia.

Yes, Batman may have been campy in the comics for a long time. But such was due to the society in which comics had to be published, not due to design. You couldn't have a dark and gritty comic in the 50s. Or on TV in the 60s.

The characters origins speak for themselves. A child orphaned at the age of 8-to-10 by a lone gunmen who robs and shoots his parents right in front of him, who grows up to pursue justice and, frankly, vengeance. That isn't light hearted. It simply couldn't be done justice for a long time.

It's just like the old Battlestar Galactica compared to the new. A show which in 1978 couldn't do the premise of a rabble of survivors fleeing a mass holocaust justice. Come 2003, boom. It gets done right.

Every argument in favor of the campy Batman, or the campy Galactica, or anything else campy for that matter, is based wholly in childhood nostalgia. In recapturing the wonder of something enjoyed as a kid. Not in a logical or reasonable argument of "campy is superior because A, B and C" or so forth. The only time camp is good is when you're a small kid and can't handle reality as well.

People want to remember the 60s show fondly? I can't (nor would I) stop such. That's everyone's right, to recall something fondly from childhood. I have such things. We all do.

But at least admit, it's a pale watered-down imitation of the character that existed because corporate big-wigs didn't think people, especially kids, where sophisticated or smart enough to deal with actual drama or any sense of reality.

[Disruptor]

What's redeeming about the original Star Trek? It's low-budget, sexist camp with cookie cutter moral messages. It wasn't doing its premise justice. We had to wait for JJ Abrams to get it right.

Sarcasm aside...

There'd be no NuBSG without the original Battlestar Galactica.

It debatable if Batman would 've become as popular with the general public as it is without the 60's t.v. show. Without it, maybe no movies or "Timm-verse" animated series.

Things become dated. The Dark Knight and NuBSG may very well be seen differently through jaded eyes 20 years from now, their fans dismissed as "nostalgic" types. But no one is gonna make them watch it...unless I'm in charge, then they will be required viewing in school.

[The Mighty Monkey of Mim]

Frontier wrote:

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You couldn't have a dark and gritty comic in the 50s. Or on TV in the 60s.

I do agree with some of what you said, but I would point out that not everyone thinks comics and TV shows should be dark and gritty, or need to be in order to be worthwhile. If that's what the comic-buying, TV-watching public had wanted, they would have gotten it. But that's not what people wanted or expected from these media at the time, and it isn't always what people want and expect from them today. A lot of this stuff isn't just camp in hindsight, it was camp at the time, too. Some people like camp. Some people enjoy farce. Some people don't mind their entertainment not making any pretense of being real, because it's not.

[Christopher]

Frontier wrote:

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If there was some redeeming quality about that old show, something akin to how the Original Trek had a good ethical message or some such, I'd be much more accepting of it.

The fact of the matter is though, it's a cheese festival of nonsense. The only argument in it's favor is from the point of view of childhood nostalgia.

It was an absurdist situation comedy. Of course it was nonsense -- that was the whole idea. Would you ask for a deep, profound ethical message from a Marx Brothers or Mel Brooks movie? You're judging it by the wrong standards.

As as sitcom, which is what it was, it has many redeeming qualities. It was fresh and funny, one of the most innovative entries in an era of experimental, absurdist sitcoms. It was a landmark of design, widely praised for its psychedelic, pop-art sensibilities. It had a strong, funny cast and (in the first two seasons) excellent production values. It had awesome music. It was loaded with cultural in-jokes and satire that are probably lost on viewers unfamiliar with the 1960s, although a lot of the satire is timeless, like the bitingly cynical view of political campaigns in "Hizzoner the Penguin/Dizzoner the Penguin" or of the art world in "Pop Goes the Joker/Flop Goes the Joker."

Yes, Batman may have been campy in the comics for a long time. But such was due to the society in which comics had to be published, not due to design. You couldn't have a dark and gritty comic in the 50s. Or on TV in the 60s.

First off, that's a commonly held myth, that the comics remained dark and gritty until they were forced to change by the Comics Code. But that's simply not true. Batman started out as a violent pulp character, but they lightened him up as soon as they introduced Robin a year later, all of which was done to make the comics more accessible for children.

Second, what the hell is wrong with doing comedy? It's not a bad thing to be funny. They are called comic books, after all, a word that literally means "pertaining to comedy." The first comic strips and books were called that because they were comedy-oriented; it was only subsequently that the genre broadened to include serious adventure, but humor has always, always been part of it. So it's pretentious ridiculousness to complain about the presence of comedy in a genre that has the word "comic" in its name.

The characters origins speak for themselves. A child orphaned at the age of 8-to-10 by a lone gunmen who robs and shoots his parents right in front of him, who grows up to pursue justice and, frankly, vengeance. That isn't light hearted. It simply couldn't be done justice for a long time.

There's more to any character than where he comes from. Superman's origin is very dark -- the destruction of his entire civilization -- but he's historically been a bright, upbeat character and often been approached light-heartedly. Spider-Man has a profound tragedy and personal guilt motivating his superheroics, but he's one of the funniest characters in comics.

And no, Batman is not about vengeance. That's a common but fundamental misconception. If he were just about vengeance, he would've killed Joe Chill and retired. But he's not. What motivates Batman isn't getting back at anyone; what motivates him is protecting innocent people from having to suffer the way he suffered. Like Spider-Man, his past tragedy inspires him to do everything in his power to spare others from similar tragedies. But while Spider-Man is motivated by a sense of guilt and responsibility -- not letting anyone else die when he has the power to prevent it -- Batman is motivated by overcoming the feelings of helplessness he had that night in Crime Alley -- making sure he's never again too weak to stand up and protect innocent people from crime.

So while, yes, you can interpret Batman in a way that focuses on his darker emotions and pain and obsession, you can equally well interpret him in a way that focuses more on the nobility of his mission to combat crime and protect the innocent. What matters most about Batman isn't that his parents died; what matters most is what he became because of that event, which is the world's greatest detective and most dedicated, unwavering champion of justice. He's the ultimate hero, even without superpowers, because of his all-powerful convictions and determination to do the right thing, and because he has the intelligence and resources to fulfill that determination. And so it's perfectly valid to do an interpretation of Batman that focuses on his heroism, goodness, dedication, and resourcefulness without dwelling much on the past event that catalyzed them. It's just a shift of emphasis. Different iterations of the same fictional premise should have different emphases and develop different facets of its potential. If they were all exactly like one another, that would be boring and pointless.

Every argument in favor of the campy Batman, or the campy Galactica, or anything else campy for that matter, is based wholly in childhood nostalgia. In recapturing the wonder of something enjoyed as a kid.

That's bull. I appreciate the '66 series even more as an adult than I did as a child, because I'm able to see the aspects of it that flew right over my head when I was a kid. As a child, you take the show at face value as a thrilling adventure series, but as an adult -- if you're smart and open-minded enough to look at it fairly -- you can see the adult levels of humor in it, the satire and sexual innuendo and '60s cultural references. And you can appreciate the good writing (when it was good) and the strong performances and the lavish production design and the wonderful, wonderful jazz music of Nelson Riddle.

And believe me, brother, you cannot truly experience the wonders of Julie Newmar and Yvonne Craig in catsuits until you reach puberty. Ain't no childhood nostalgia there nohow.

If anything, you're the one whose judgment is constrained by nostalgia, because you're unwilling to open your mind to a version of Batman different from the one you learned to enjoy.

Not in a logical or reasonable argument of "campy is superior because A, B and C" or so forth.

Not superior, just also valid. There's room for multiple styles of storytelling in the world. Different isn't better or worse, it's just different.

The only time camp is good is when you're a small kid and can't handle reality as well.

You really don't understand what camp means at all. Children can't recognize camp, because they can only perceive it at face value. It takes more maturity and experience to recognize the ironic, allusive, and deconstructionist underpinnings of camp. Camp is about making a satirical commentary on something unrealistic by exaggerating its contrasts with reality and sense. So you've got it completely backward.

But at least admit, it's a pale watered-down imitation of the character that existed because corporate big-wigs didn't think people, especially kids, where sophisticated or smart enough to deal with actual drama or any sense of reality.

I won't "admit" a falsehood based in ignorance. What it is, in fact, is a very faithful adaptation of what Batman had been in the comics for decades at the time the show was made: an adventure-comedy about characters living in an absurd world of bizarre, flamboyant criminals and reacting to it as serious, life-or-death business. What it is, in fact, is a stylistically bold, innovatively formatted situation comedy whose impact on popular culture was considerable and well worth acknowledging. What it is, in fact, is something that can be legitimately enjoyed by people who are sophisticated and smart enough to deal with comedy, satire, and absurdism rather than pretentiously dismissing them as inferior.

[Professor Zoom]

Frontier wrote:

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If there was some redeeming quality about that old show, something akin to how the Original Trek had a good ethical message or some such, I'd be much more accepting of it.

The fact of the matter is though, it's a cheese festival of nonsense. The only argument in it's favor is from the point of view of childhood nostalgia.

Yes, Batman may have been campy in the comics for a long time. But such was due to the society in which comics had to be published, not due to design. You couldn't have a dark and gritty comic in the 50s. Or on TV in the 60s.

The characters origins speak for themselves. A child orphaned at the age of 8-to-10 by a lone gunmen who robs and shoots his parents right in front of him, who grows up to pursue justice and, frankly, vengeance. That isn't light hearted. It simply couldn't be done justice for a long time.

It's just like the old Battlestar Galactica compared to the new. A show which in 1978 couldn't do the premise of a rabble of survivors fleeing a mass holocaust justice. Come 2003, boom. It gets done right.

Every argument in favor of the campy Batman, or the campy Galactica, or anything else campy for that matter, is based wholly in childhood nostalgia. In recapturing the wonder of something enjoyed as a kid. Not in a logical or reasonable argument of "campy is superior because A, B and C" or so forth. The only time camp is good is when you're a small kid and can't handle reality as well.

People want to remember the 60s show fondly? I can't (nor would I) stop such. That's everyone's right, to recall something fondly from childhood. I have such things. We all do.

But at least admit, it's a pale watered-down imitation of the character that existed because corporate big-wigs didn't think people, especially kids, where sophisticated or smart enough to deal with actual drama or any sense of reality.

IE, there can be only ONE Batman!

Pass.

I'm glad that YOU can justifying why I like a TV show... You're WRONG, but I'm glad that you're doing your best to inception me.

I know for a fact that you're wrong because I enjoyed the hell out of the Cartoon Network's Batman: The Brave and the Bold, something that was camp as well. It was a fantastic romp. Energetic. Fun. And a great way for kids to have Batman be a hero in their lives.

[Christopher]

People today don't realize how popular the '66 show was with adults at the time. As I believe I alluded to already, it inspired nightclubs based on its characters and imagery, not to mention a fad haircut for women imitating Batman's eyeholes. It was admired by avant-garde intellectuals for its camp and irony (perhaps the forerunners of today's "hipsters"). It was one of the highest-rated shows on television in its first season or two, and two-thirds of its viewers were over 18.

[RandyS]

Frontier wrote:

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If there was some redeeming quality about that old show, something akin to how the Original Trek had a good ethical message or some such, I'd be much more accepting of it.

The fact of the matter is though, it's a cheese festival of nonsense. The only argument in it's favor is from the point of view of childhood nostalgia.

Yes, Batman may have been campy in the comics for a long time. But such was due to the society in which comics had to be published, not due to design. You couldn't have a dark and gritty comic in the 50s. Or on TV in the 60s.

The characters origins speak for themselves. A child orphaned at the age of 8-to-10 by a lone gunmen who robs and shoots his parents right in front of him, who grows up to pursue justice and, frankly, vengeance. That isn't light hearted. It simply couldn't be done justice for a long time.

It's just like the old Battlestar Galactica compared to the new. A show which in 1978 couldn't do the premise of a rabble of survivors fleeing a mass holocaust justice. Come 2003, boom. It gets done right.

Every argument in favor of the campy Batman, or the campy Galactica, or anything else campy for that matter, is based wholly in childhood nostalgia. In recapturing the wonder of something enjoyed as a kid. Not in a logical or reasonable argument of "campy is superior because A, B and C" or so forth. The only time camp is good is when you're a small kid and can't handle reality as well.

People want to remember the 60s show fondly? I can't (nor would I) stop such. That's everyone's right, to recall something fondly from childhood. I have such things. We all do.

But at least admit, it's a pale watered-down imitation of the character that existed because corporate big-wigs didn't think people, especially kids, where sophisticated or smart enough to deal with actual drama or any sense of reality.

Well, we all have our opinions, and rather than taking this point by point as Christopher already has, I'll just say that there's nothing wrong with liking Batman 1966, comedy is what we need, now more than ever.

And as for your comments on Galactica, it was already done right in 1978. Sure, there was room for improvement, but they still got it right. It was Ron Moore's pomposity that ruined that franchise.