(ABC Primetime, 1966 - 1968)
[a fad sensation when it first appeared, this series brought to
live action the cartoon character first created by Bob Kane
in 1939; although animated cartoon series followed from 1968
through 1981, this was the original "camp" live-action version
of "the caped crusader" and "his boy wonder"; the series took
a mock-serious approach known as "camp", and in cartoon fashion
animated action ballons were superimposed over fight scenes;
Adam West played the dual roles of Bruce Wayne who slides down
the fireman's pole to become "Batman"; and Burt Ward played
the dual role of "his ward", who becomes "Boy Wonder" Robin;
The series was such a pop phenomenon, that both competing
networks produced short-lived imitations -- "Captain Nice
on NBC and "Mr. Terrific" on CBS]
[ASCAP title variation...
aka: "Main Title - Batman Theme";
Neal Hefti who was known for his catchy, sophisticated jazz
tunes including "Cute", "Lil' Darlin'", "Girl Talk" from "Harlow"
and the "Theme from the 'Odd Couple'" came up with a decidedly
unsophisticated tongue-in-cheek THEME based upon the 12-bar
blues progression; the melody was harmonized using the unusual
relatively dissonant interval of a major second instead of
more typical 3rds and 6ths; so it was a bit "in your face";
But since the whole camp concept was "in your face" with the
cartoon baloons of "Bam!" and "Ka-pow!" on the screen, this
approach seemed to work; and the THEME became a pop hit as
recorded by Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra;
Episode cues for the series were composed by Neal Hefti,
Nelson Riddle, Elmer Bernstein, Robert J. Drasnin, Warren
Barker and Billy May]
Composer: Neal Hefti (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: Miller Music Corp. (ASCAP)
2001 Publisher: EMI-Miller Catalog, Inc. (ASCAP)
c/o EMI Music Publishing
of New York, NY
Published Copyright Date: Jan. 25, 1966; EP 225 496.
Published Renewal Date: Jan. 24, 1994; RE-666-356.
Recordings: