TMC
01-27-2022, 09:28 PM
https://www.looper.com/749298/every-live-action-batman-theme-ranked/
2. Batman (1966)
When looking at all the themes used in live-action Batman adaptations, the song composed by Neal Hefti (https://youtu.be/EZ9ymE2Rcxo) used in the campy 1966 television series (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060153/?ref_=fn_tt_tt_6) seems very out of place. While the others are dark and foreboding, this is an earworm of a track that you can't help but get stuck in your head. Like the show it introduces, it is poppy, colorful, and groovy.
Does it represent the character as depicted in the comics? That depends on the era. Go back far enough into Batman's adventures and this '60s series doesn't actually seem that far off the mark, even though the show's creator William Dozier (https://youtu.be/vUIMP3k6y90) was intentionally spoofing the character. However, it does not adequately capture the character as originally developed by Bob Kane and Bill Finger (https://www.looper.com/40257/really-created-iconic-superheroes/). While their Batman could certainly smile and crack jokes, he wasn't totally silly.
Still, we did say one of the considerations in this ranking was how closely identified with the character each piece of music is. In this case, it would be impossible to use this music anywhere else unless it was being done as a direct reference. The name "Batman" is sung 11 times. This song belongs to Batman, and Adam West's Batman belongs to this song. Therefore, it comes in at No. 2.
2. Batman (1966)
When looking at all the themes used in live-action Batman adaptations, the song composed by Neal Hefti (https://youtu.be/EZ9ymE2Rcxo) used in the campy 1966 television series (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060153/?ref_=fn_tt_tt_6) seems very out of place. While the others are dark and foreboding, this is an earworm of a track that you can't help but get stuck in your head. Like the show it introduces, it is poppy, colorful, and groovy.
Does it represent the character as depicted in the comics? That depends on the era. Go back far enough into Batman's adventures and this '60s series doesn't actually seem that far off the mark, even though the show's creator William Dozier (https://youtu.be/vUIMP3k6y90) was intentionally spoofing the character. However, it does not adequately capture the character as originally developed by Bob Kane and Bill Finger (https://www.looper.com/40257/really-created-iconic-superheroes/). While their Batman could certainly smile and crack jokes, he wasn't totally silly.
Still, we did say one of the considerations in this ranking was how closely identified with the character each piece of music is. In this case, it would be impossible to use this music anywhere else unless it was being done as a direct reference. The name "Batman" is sung 11 times. This song belongs to Batman, and Adam West's Batman belongs to this song. Therefore, it comes in at No. 2.