We conclude our look at the Filmation 68 Batman series.  In it, we discuss the voice work, the animation, and our favorite stories.  In addition, John and Dan Greenfield, creator and author of the 13th Dimension talk about the times the series aired on cable, how the show managed to take some of the better elements of the 66 series while also leaning on the comics, and how the series got better as it progressed.

​Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

So how does one approach a Batman spoof that wasn't intended to be one?  John and Robert are sitting in the Batcave and watching the infamous Ray Dennis Steckler film, Rat Pfink A Boo Boo.  In it, our hero's girlfriend is being menaced in the first 45 minutes of the film.  Based on the setup, one would think that our hero would turn detective to try and stop it, but when she's kidnapped at the halfway point, he and the gardener in his girlfriend's building enter a closet and come out as the masked avengers - Rat Pfink and Boo Boo.

​John and Robert Long are watching their Bat-Monitors and are cringing at the turn of the events for this film as well as the costumes our heroes wear, while marveling at some of the directing choices and laughing at some genuinely funny lines.  It all adds up to a movie that leaves you scratching your head and wondering what it was you just watched.​

Take a listen and let us know what you think by commenting here or writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

Robert Long is a full time graphic designer and independent filmmaker.  As a first generation Batman syndication kid, he manages the 1966-68 Batman Television Series Group on Facebook.  He has had the pleasure to meet and work with Adam West and Julie Newmar with various projects in the past.  Visit Robert's production company - Smash or Trash Independent Filmmaking to learn more about it.

"It Takes Two to Make a Team" &

"Opera Buffa"

Aired January 1, 1969

Our final look at the Filmation Batman 68 series is a celebration of all that your hosts love about the series.  It has a multi-villain story, Batgirl, Alfred, many nods to the Batman comics of the 50s, current pop culture references and so much more.  In the first story, Riddler, Penguin and Joker team up to break up the team of the Terrific Trio by playing mind games with Robin.  In the second story, the Joker thinks he has finally rid himself of the Dynamic Duo, but he finds himself haunted by their ghosts.

​In addition, John and Dan Greenfield, creator and author of the 13th Dimension discuss how the second half of the series really hit its stride in terms of story telling and lament that there wasn't more after that.  They also give a brief wrap-up by talking about their favorite comics adapted and original villains.

​Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.

Links

13th Dimension Website

Facebook page

Twitter

The Wild World of Batwoman

John and Robert Long take on a Batman inspired movie that clearly was trying to cash in on the Batman craze with a heroine that calls herself Batwoman, has an army of Batgirls who help her fight crime, and that's about it.  Producer Jerry Warren exploited not only Batman, but the women in this movie about a mad scientist who wants to create a better world by having beautiful women mate with monsters he's created.  (At least, that's what we got out of it.)

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John and Robert Long are watching their Bat-Monitors and are finding this one difficult to understand or appreciate even with thought it is in English. 

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Take a listen and let us know what you think by commenting here or writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

Robert Long is a full time graphic designer and independent filmmaker.  As a first generation Batman syndication kid, he manages the 1966-68 Batman Television Series Group on Facebook.  He has had the pleasure to meet and work with Adam West and Julie Newmar with various projects in the past.  Visit Robert's production company - Smash or Trash Independent Filmmaking to learn more about it.

"The Sorcerer's Golden Trick"

​Aired: September 11/18, 1976

As part of the Krofft Supershow, Electra Woman and Dyna Girl ran for 16 weeks in two part installments.  The series clearly borrowed a great deal in terms of concepts from the Batman 66 television show.  John and co-host Kevin Eldridge of The Flopcast take on these episodes, discussing them scene and scene and exploring what the "Voltage Vixens" have in common with the "Caped Crusaders".

​In the opening episode, The Sorcerer escapes from a maximum security prison with a scheme to steal all the gold from Fort Knox.  But there is something wrong with the scheme as it involves the use of mirrors.  John and Kevin discuss the episode, the guest cast, and try to determine how the Electra Comps work and the extent of their powers.  Let us know what you think by writing us here or at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

When is a Batman movie not a Batman movie?  When is a wrestling movie not a wrestling movie?  When it's the Batwoman.  This 1968 gem may not have the elements one expects in a Batman ripoff film, but it still has much more going for it than the previous outings.

​John and Robert Long are watching their Bat-Monitors and enjoying this movie with only a few reservations.  

​Take a listen and let us know what you think by commenting here or writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

Robert Long is a full time graphic designer and independent filmmaker.  As a first generation Batman syndication kid, he manages the 1966-68 Batman Television Series Group on Facebook.  He has had the pleasure to meet and work with Adam West and Julie Newmar with various projects in the past.  Visit Robert's production company - Smash or Trash Independent Filmmakingto learn more about it.