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1966 Batman Film Debuts, Introducing Joker, Riddler, Penguin

8/3/2026

25 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The 1966 Batman film premiered on July 30, 1966, starring Adam West and introducing The Joker (Caesar Romero), The Riddler (Frank Gorshin) and The Penguin (Burgess Meredith).
Producer William Dozier adapted the 1943 Batman serial into the ABC series and then the 1966 film.
Adam West played Batman on the TV series until its 1968 end and later said in a 1986 PEOPLE interview that his fame made leading roles impossible.

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Story summary

The 1966 Batman film premiered on July 30, 1966, starring Adam West and introducing The Joker (Caesar Romero), The Riddler (Frank Gorshin) and The Penguin (Burgess Meredith).
Producer William Dozier adapted the 1943 Batman serial into the ABC series and then the 1966 film.
Adam West played Batman on the TV series until its 1968 end and later said in a 1986 PEOPLE interview that his fame made leading roles impossible.