Batman is a comic book super-hero who has also expanded into film, television and other forms of media.
The 1966 Batman television show starring Adam West was a cultural phenomenon and has had a lasting affect on pop culture. It also featured Cesar Romero and Burgess Meredith as recurring villains the Joker and the Penguin, respectively. It ran for 3 seasons and resulted in a feature film as well.
During the 1970s and into the 80s, Batman's filmed appearances were almost entirely for television animation. Batman was a regular character in the various incarnations of The Superfriends (typically voiced by Olan Soule). At one point during the 1970s, Batman was appearing as a member of Hanna-Barbera's Superfriends, and in his own animated series from Filmation (in which Batman was voiced by Adam West).
Following the success of the 1989 Batman film starring Michael Keaton, Batman: The Animated Series made its debut. Mark Hamill was featured as the voice of the Joker. The show had a long-lasting cultural impact, especially on American television animation.
Riffed Movies[]
- Batman & Robin (1997) - 1st Annual Summer Blockbuster Review (clip), RiffTrax
- The Dark Knight (2008) - RiffTrax
- Batman and Robin (1949) - RiffTrax
- Episode 3, "Robin's Wild Ride" was also riffed live during the Night of the Shorts: SF Sketchfest 2016 show.
- Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) - RiffTrax
- Legends of the Superheroes: The Challenge (1979) - Movie Jo Night
- Batman Forever (1995) - RiffTrax Presents featuring THEGUYWITHTHEGLASSES.com
Other MST3K Connections[]
Writer Bill Finger was responsible for introducing some of the most well-known elements of the Batman mythos, and he also wrote some movies used by MST3K. The production of the movies The Wild Wild World of Batwoman (Episode #515) and The Batwoman (Episode #1308) were apparently inspired by the success of the Batman TV show.
During the second national season of MST3K, Dr. Clayton Forrester and TV's Frank would be listed in the end credits as "Special Guest Villians" [sic]. This is how the featured Batman foe would be listed in the episode credits of the 1960s series.
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Many actors who appeared in major roles in various Batman productions also appeared in other films used by MST3K. See their individual pages for details.
Batman and Robin (1949 serial)[]
- Jane Adams (Vicki Vale)
- George Offerman (Jimmy Vale)
Batman (1966)[]
- Adam West (Batman, also voice of Simon Trent/The Grey Ghost in The Animated Series)
- Cesar Romero (The Joker)
- Burgess Meredith (The Penguin)
- Alan Napier (Alfred)
- Neil Hamilton (Commissioner Gordon)
- Roddy McDowall (The Bookworm, also voice of the Mad Hatter in The Animated Series)
- Jerry Dunphy (himself)
Batman (1989)[]
- Jack Nicholson (The Joker)
- Jack Palance (Grissom)
Batman Forever (1995)[]
- Tommy Lee Jones (Two-Face)
Batman & Robin (1997)[]
- George Clooney (Batman)
- Arnold Schwarzenegger (Mr. Freeze)
Other[]
- Olan Soule (voice of Batman in Superfriends and other projects)
- Mark Hamill (voice of the Joker in The Animated Series and other projects)
- Adrienne Barbeau (voice of Catwoman in The Animated Series)