ALTHOUGH THIS ESSENTIALLY "one reeler" is a heretofore unknown part of the saga of the singularly spectacular phenomenon of the BATMAN TV Series of 1966-68, it wasn't intended that way. It was rather a unique method of introducing a potential series to the network. It was then, if you will, a sort of promotional tool, "Promo" for short.
IT WAS FAVORED as an introductory method by BATMAN Producer, William Dozier; as he followed the same route with his acquisition of the film rights to WONDER WOMAN with the similarly structured short, WONDER WOMAN: WHO'S AFRAID OF DIANA PRINCE? The series failed.*
TODAY'S HONORED REVIWEE then, was intended to launch Dozier's 2nd BAT-SERIES in a separate, though elated title of BATGIRL. The plan called for relegating one of the two nights' half hour to be given over to the new series. The BATMAN Show wound up giving ground which it never regained; as the ratings-slumping series was cut to one night. The BATGIRL concept was, in turn, incorporated into the show for what proved to be its last season.
AS FOR THE question of this 8 minute oddity, it is surprisingly well done; with some of the high quality trappings that were present in the BATMAN shows first half year, beginning in January of 1966. For example: the on screen use visual, descriptive "POWS!", "WHAMS!" & "E-OWS!" and what ever other descriptive words, were overlaid on the individual frames of film. With the coming of the Fall 1966 episodes, the practice had given way to cutting away to a sort of pinkish, solid but plain background. It was obviously a co$t cutter; but this BATGIRL film reverted to the original, more expensive mode.
AS IS THE case with so many of the better BATMAN installments, this story, ever so abbreviated as it is, is indeed an adaptation of the first BATGIRL story from DETECTIVE COMICS # 350. As had been the practice already established, there is no credit given to the comics page work, nor to the original writer.**
ALTHOUGH WE HAD heard of this diminutive "Pilot", wee hadn't viewed it until today, being August 19, 2015. We had just heard of the death of the lovely and talented Yvonne Craig; who did such a fine job in bringing the Batgirl from the comics page to the screen. Much like Adam West's portrayal of Batman, hers was at once serious, believable and multi-layered with humor and parody; but never obviously or cheaply "funny." And the feminine pulchritude that was always present with her screen appearances was greatly appreciated by this then 21 year old.***
ON BEHALF OF all of buffs of the BATMAN TV show, may we say a most sincere, "Thank You, Miss Yvonne Craig!"
NOTE: * Of course, as we all know, WONDER WOMAN did make it to the screen about ten years later. First done as a TV movie with "revamped" character portrayed by Cathy Lee Crosby, it was followed with the original treatment starring (woo, woo, woo, woo!) Lynda Carter.
NOTE ** As was the case with the 1950's the ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, the best episodes of the series were adaptations of comics stories. These included the first episodes featuring Joker, Penguin, Riddler and others. Most, if not all of these original stories, were penned by Bill Finger,. the unsung "co-creator" of the BATMAN Feature.
NOTE: *** We had the honor to meet Yvonne Craig at a movie fans fair about 20 years back. She was most youthful, beautiful and couldn't have been more gracious.
