Exclusive Portrait: A Bat Anniversary for Adam West & Burt Ward

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CHICAGO – In the 1960s, the entertainment world was summed up by the three “B’s” – Bond, Beatles and…Batman. On January 12th, 1966, the pop culture TV phenomenon called “Batman” – starring Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman and Robin – made its debut on ABC-TV. Happy 50th Anniversary to the Dynamic Duo.

Holy Anniversary! Burt Ward (Robin) and Adam West (Batman) Celebrate Their 50th
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

With the episode entitled “Hi Diddle Riddle, Smack in the Middle” – with Frank Gorshin as the villain “The Riddler” – the show was beamed into American living rooms in living color, during an age when only three networks had programming. It immediately became a sensation, and aired twice-a-week in the first two seasons, “same Bat-Time, same Bat-Channel.” It spawned a revival for the character of Batman, and actually helped to create the Dark Knight. The show’s silly humor so altered the heroic character, that DC Comics took him to the dark side later in the decade.

”Batman” Made Its Debut on January 12th, 1966 on ABC-TV
Photo credit: Warner Home Video

The two actors who portrayed Batman and Robin – Adam West and Burt Ward – have become cult phenomenons on their own, with many references to their heroics over the years from their fans in show business. HollywoodChicago.com photographer Joe Arce took this 50th Anniversary picture of the Dynamic Duo at the Hollywood Show in May of 2015. Batman and Robin LIVES!

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By PATRICK McDONALD Writer, Editorial Coordinator HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com