Batman -The Original Series (1966) on DVD

[romantico]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 11:46am

OK, Last night I was on the Digitalbits and there was a story saying Batman-The Original Series with Adam West and Burt Ward was coming to dvd this year. This is one dvd I have been waiting for! I was really tired, so I just skimmed it really fast. This morning I went back and I couldn't find it. (and no, I didn't dream it) I've been to several sites and not a word.

Has anyone seen this?

[Lavieboheme2]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 12:05pm

surprisingly no i havent seen, heard, or cared, about this

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 12:38pm

I think it would be a pretty big announcement as it is one of the most requested TV series DVDs. The legal problems with rights are very complicated and (I believe) Fox and Warner can't settle.

[romantico]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 1:10pm

I agree. It would be big news and I was wondering if maybe they were premature in announcing.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 1:14pm

romantico---I haven't even read that on Digital Bits. They were talking not long ago about the MOVIE from the TV series being released on Blu-ray, but not the actual series itself.

Do you have a link?

And sue is right. This would be a huge announcement. I believe it is THE most requested film or TV show not yet on DVD. And it's tied up in a three-way legal Hell struggle, between Warner Bros., Fox and DC Comics.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 1:19pm

Here's some quotes from Wikipedia as to why this has never been released on VHS or DVD. Take it all as "rumor," but I find it fascinating, nonetheless:



Despite considerable popular demand[3], no official home entertainment release (VHS, laserdisc or DVD) of the series has occurred to date in North America, with the situation seemingly unlikely to be resolved in the near future.

Conflicting reports of the reasons behind the non-release of the series point to a number of different factors, some, none or all of which may indeed play a part. These include:

* Disagreement between DC Comics (who own the Batman character. DC's sister/parent company Warner Bros., which took over DC in 1976 could also be involved) and 20th Century Fox (who own the program itself). Gord Lacey's influential TV/DVD website TVShowsonDVD.com is often quoted in support of this much-discussed theory, after a story the website ran in December, 2005.[4]
o Some commentators have suggested that DC Comics itself is not involved, and that Warner and Fox are reluctant to work with each other. This was denied by a Warner spokesperson in 2005 during their semi-regular "Home Theatre Forum" chat, where it was stated that the issues were between Fox and DC alone, with Warner playing no part in negotiations.[5]
o Some slight suggestion has been made that DC does not wish to distort the current image of the Dark Knight by having the overtly-campy 1960s series competing head-to-head with more modern takes, such as Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, Batman & Robin and Batman Begins. However, such alleged suggestions that readers might become confused are easily countered by noting the different versions of Batman comics already published, which regularly number at least three (the main series, the children's series The Batman Strikes! and All-Star Batman, etc.) in addition to the film series (and the four earlier films), the DVD releases of the 1940s film serials and various cartoon incarnations. (As an interesting aside to possible rights issues and DC distancing itself from that incarnation, in October 2005 issue #7 of the DC Comics series Solo was released without it's solicited cover by Mike Allred of the Adam West-Batman doing the Batusi. Allred explains that the cover was pulled by "higher ups" for reasons largely unknown.[6] Speculation over the reasons first intimated that potential infringement of rights were the issue, but this was soon replaced with suggestions that it's "campy" nature was the real factor in its removal, both because the release coincided with the DVD releases of Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, Batman & Robin and Batman Begins, and editor Dan Didio reportedly does not like camp.[7]


* Other complications/rights issues:
o Christopher D Heer, writing at the "1966 Batman Message Board", clarified a quote by moderator Lee Kirkham, noting that there will likely be the need for complicated deals regarding cameos, since "..at least some of the cameos were done as uncredited, unpaid walk-ons -- which means that Fox does NOT have home video clearances for them. Either those scenes would have to be cut or an agreement reached with the actors."[11]
o Kirkham's initial quote also noted that, alongside music clearance issues, there could also be problems over some of the costumes, and the original Batmobile:

"It may surprise you, but then there are also rights issues concerning the design of the unique Batmobile design used in the show, and possible a separate issue regarding some of the costumes as well!"

[Jon]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 1:32pm

"Tune in next week - same Bat Time, same Bat Channel - to see if we can come up with and even gayer Guest Villain than we had this week!"

I'll see your Victor Buono and raise you a Liberace and a Roddy McDowell!

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 1:46pm

Don't forget Cesare Romero...and throw in the Merm for good measure!

[romantico]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 1:47pm

It was about 2 or 3 this morning when I saw it (eastern time) I wish I had paid more attention or posted a link. It was about 2 sentences and it was the first story.

I remember reading that about the movie not long ago as well. I hope they can settle this soon. I really loved this show as a kid!

Updated On: 5/10/08 at 01:47 PM

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 1:52pm

Did I hear that the commentary with Ward and West had already been recorded, just in case this case outlasts either of them, or did I make that up?

[JbaraFan1]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 1:57pm

Besty's right, it's the '66 movie version on Blu-Ray hi def (which I went to see at 8 or 9 years old with my boyfriend Stevie Vinson! lol)
Here's a link to a page at tvshowsondvd.com with dvd art.
http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Batman-The-Movie-1966/9303

(edited to further agree with what Besty posted)


Updated On: 5/10/08 at 01:57 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 7:24pm

Aww. I like the blu-ray cover art better than the regular DVD release. Though, it does look like they're intentionally trying to downplay the camp aspect.