Tag: dc-comics

The Bookworm Takes over Gotham City at Warner Brothers

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A man with a unique hat and thick glasses sits thoughtfully in a chair, holding a small object to his temple, surrounded by colorful lighting and books.

Mr. Roddy McDowell–A.K.A The Bookworm. That hat would be so handy!

A humorous scene featuring a small blue vehicle with a sign that reads 'Let GAYFELLOW take you to the CLEANERS' in front of a sleek black car, with a grassy background.

Lets do some Batmobile Comparisons…Then and Now

Close-up view of a sleek, custom-designed black vehicle with metallic accents, showcasing intricate details and a reflective surface.
The latest Batmobile on the Warner Brothers Backlot. The reengineered grill…
Close-up view of a unique car dashboard featuring colorful, intricate designs and a sleek steering wheel.

The Bat Dashboard

A character dressed as Batman, wearing a black mask and cape, sits in a classic Batmobile with visible rocket launchers in the background.

“Impressive” says- The Best Batman Ever !

Interior view of a classic car featuring a futuristic dashboard, sleek steering wheel, and black leather seats.
1966 Batmobile complete with a- 8 Track sound system, because…Batman Rocks!
A black and red futuristic vehicle parked on a dirt road, with a character in a purple top hat and suit standing beside it, while another character in a dark cape leaps onto the car.

Original Hood allows for a fighting platform- not so with the modern front end.

A close-up view of a sleek, futuristic black car with distinctive design features resembling a superhero motif, positioned on a street near colorful buildings.
A colorful, vintage-style car with characters in costumes, including a person with a purple top hat, driving on a road with trees in the background.

Original Batmobile has space enough to transport villains of every shape and size,

A man in a suit stands next to a sleek black car at an outdoor event. The background features decorative lighting and a sign thanking sponsors, with a vintage street setting.

I prefer the old Mag Wheel Rims – They wear like a Medal of Honor. In 1967, my sister had a G.T.O with “Mags,” she was very popular …because my dad set her up! I was Seven…could only pretend I was the driver.

A sleek black car with a large wing parked on a deserted urban street, showcasing classic architecture in the background.
Close-up view of a sleek black car's wheel and tire, showcasing detailed rim design and aerodynamic elements.
A sleek black car with distinctive features is parked prominently in front of a building displaying a poster that celebrates 100 years of Hollywood. Two men are engaged in conversation nearby.

These tail fins make this vehicle look fast…even when in park.

A close-up view of a black vehicle with distinct wing-like features parked on the street, with a historic building and a 100 Years of Hollywood sign in the background.
Feature Money” -redesigned aerodynamic tail end.

These tail fins make this vehicle look fast…even when in park.

A person in a superhero costume stands atop a classic black car with distinctive fins, surrounded by green trees and grass.
A vintage radio device resting on a sleek black leather car seat, illuminated by sunlight.
A man dressed as Batman in a classic superhero suit stands beside the Batmobile in front of a house with green shutters.

Vintage Batman key chain transmitter-we were ahead of our time here…

A classic black car inspired by the Batmobile, featuring distinct curves, orange accents, and a futuristic design. The background includes a mural of a similar vehicle.

The car every boy dreamed of…

A futuristic concept car with a sleek design, showcasing a unique shape and prominent tail fins, displayed on a wooden floor with curtains in the background.
A vintage, rusty car with a unique, cartoonish design, featuring large headlights resembling eyes, parked in a rural area surrounded by trees.

Proto Types – The Late Great George Barris

A smiling man wearing sunglasses sits inside a black car resembling the Batmobile, with a distinctive bat logo on the side.
A display of three iconic black Batman vehicles, showcasing distinct designs and features, set against a spacious industrial background.
Evolution Complete…”Holy Hot Wheels Batman.”
A man in a hat watches two women walking down a street in an urban setting. One woman is dressed in an orange dress while the other is in a light blue outfit. Classic cars are parked along the street, and a 'No Parking' sign is visible.
A man in a uniform holding a brown bag and a book looks out from a building entrance as a classic black car with red accents, resembling the Batmobile, drives past on a city street.
A woman in a red outfit stands on a street, looking away, as a man in a white chef's hat watches her. In the background, a sleek black car is parked, and several people walk down the street lined with buildings.
A woman in a red outfit walks towards a black and red iconic car on a city street, while a man in a white uniform looks on from a building entrance.

We begin with- a sandwich and a Good Book

A man wearing a newspaper hat sits while holding a sandwich in one hand and a book in the other, appearing to read and snack simultaneously.
A man wearing a white hat and glasses sits on stone steps, holding a book in one hand and a sandwich in the other, surrounded by scattered papers.
A person holding a sandwich in one hand and a book that contains a hidden gadget with buttons and a speaker in the other hand.

Wait -that’s not any book -it is a phone book.

Batman and Robin in superhero costumes, standing in front of a large door, with a man in a paper hat eating a sandwich nearby.
Batman and Robin interacting with a man in a delivery uniform, standing in front of a building entrance.

The Caped Crusaders are falling into Bookworm’s trap.

A man with glasses and a brown hat, wearing a brown leather jacket, looks intently from behind a wooden barrier, with a focused expression.

“Those illiterate fools- Time is on my side.”

A green police call box labeled 'GOTHAM CITY POLICE CALL BOX' with smoke billowing from it, located on a street with a visible speed limit sign of 15 miles per hour and a police officer in the background.
A Gotham City police call box emitting red smoke, with a speed limit sign reading 15 miles per hour in the background.

“Chief O’Hara -Robin needs help!– Holy Collect Call-I want my quarter back.“

A person stands in a dimly lit space near a large bell, with green and orange lighting illuminating the surroundings. The bell is suspended above, and a rope is attached to it, while wooden structures are visible in the background.

For whom the Bell Tolls

A dramatic title card featuring the text 'THE FIRST MINUTE OF THE NEW DAY... THE EVERLASTING END FOR ROBIN!' in bold yellow letters against a dark background.
A dramatic scene featuring text that reads 'THE DEATH-KNELL SOUNDS TOMORROW... SAME BAT-TIME...' over an image of a character suspended upside down.
A close-up view of a blue illuminated clock face against a dark background.
A person in a colorful outfit is suspended above a large metallic sphere, with shadows and a rope visible in the background.
A group of people walking on a city street, with a vintage black car resembling the Batmobile parked nearby. A large advertisement for 'Delight of Cooking' is visible in the background.
Aerial view of two characters watching from a ledge as a photographer captures an image of a woman next to a large advertisement for a cooking book in a city street, with vintage cars visible.

“Reading is fundamental Batman-you unschooled, uneducated, bundle of stupidity!”

Aerial view of a bustling street with people walking, wearing 1960s attire, including formal suits and dresses. Several individuals appear to be waving or pointing, while cars are parked in the background.
A lively street scene with several people dressed in 1960s fashion, engaging in a spontaneous celebration or dance. A woman in a pink outfit and hat is prominent, while others are smiling and raising their arms in enjoyment. The backdrop features a building with large windows.
A classic scene featuring a futuristic black car driving through a city street, with several vintage cars parked along the curb. Two pedestrians, a man and a woman, are walking on the sidewalk, while another figure is walking nearby, creating a bustling urban atmosphere.
A classic black convertible car, resembling the Batmobile, parked on a city street with people walking around. In the background, a large advertisement for a cookbook titled 'Delight of Cooking' featuring a cartoon chef is visible.

The Caped Crusaders want this book returned to the library -NOW!. -LONG OVERDUE

A view of a film studio street scene featuring buildings with various architectural styles, including a hotel and a theater, with a small vehicle driving down the empty street.

Citizens of Gotham going to the Book Fair.

A crowd gathers around a classic black Batmobile with its wings open, featuring Batman and Robin in superhero costumes amidst onlookers in vintage clothing.
Two actors dressed as Robin and Batman stand in a busy city street, with pedestrians and a parked Batmobile in the background.

“Stay Away Citizens..This book is over due!”

A vintage Batmobile parked on a concrete surface with a character in a Batman costume standing next to it.
Batman using a gadget from the Batmobile while Robin looks on from the driver's seat.
A person wearing a black cape aims a toy gun at a colorful mural depicting a chef stirring a pot, likely in a playful or artistic setting.
View from above showing two characters observing a street scene with a large book standing upright, while a car and several people are present below.

“Wait-“I’ll pay the Fine Batman” says the man dressed in total leather…

Batman and Robin stand in front of a wall displaying a sign that reads 'Ex Libris The Bookworm'. Batman is touching the sign while Robin looks on.
A scene featuring two masked characters in a smoky environment, one dressed in a dark cape and cowl, holding a device, while the other, wearing a green outfit and a mask, stands closely behind.

“Just as I thought Robin- this book is way overdo at the Gotham Library

A large colorful sign reading 'The Delight of Cooking' with a cheerful chef illustration, alongside a blue vehicle and several individuals wearing police uniforms.
A group of police officers working together to move a large advertisement while an onlooking crowd watches.

A trap- this book is cooking the crusaders inside the cover-is this the tasty end of the dynamic duo?

A colorful mural titled 'The Delight of Cooking' featuring a cheerful chef, while police and bystanders respond to an emergency situation with fire trucks and a vintage car.
A colorful billboard depicting a cheerful chef with pots, titled 'The Delight of Cooking,' alongside an explosion and emergency vehicles responding.

“Fight fire with fire” as Gotham P.D blows off the cover and rescues our beloved main course.

A street view of several buildings featuring a mix of architectural styles, with trees lining the sidewalk. The buildings include storefronts with signs, awnings, and various window designs.

Case Closed -Back to the library goes this cookbook “Prop Storage.” The Bookworm agrees to a small fine, Gotham City returns to normal…

Written and Lived by Donnie Norden

The Green Hornet Greets Batman

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A scene featuring a superhero duo performing a daring rescue on a building ledge, with a mysterious figure observing from a window.
Two masked characters peering out from a window, one wearing a black hat and the other a green hat, with a cityscape visible in the background.
Movie poster for 'The Way of the Dragon' featuring Bruce Lee, showcasing intense martial arts action and dramatic imagery.

August 14,1972 This filmed grossed 130 Million Dollars

Two shirtless men posing in a stylized setting, one in white martial arts pants and the other in black, with a historic background.

Mr. Chuck Norris gets a knee to the groin. Don’t shake hands with Kato…

A vintage movie poster featuring Bruce Lee, displaying the film titles in Italian and Chinese, with a background of a bare-chested Bruce Lee front and center.
A black and white image of a muscular man with short hair, posed in a martial arts stance, showcasing his defined physique.
A handwritten letter titled 'My Definite Chief Aim', featuring blue ink on off-white paper, expressing aspirations of becoming a highly paid actor and achieving world fame.
The Infamous Bruce Lee Manifesto…
A white, two-story residential building with a distinctive architectural style, featuring arched windows, a central entrance, and a tiled roof. The front yard includes greenery and a pathway leading to the entrance.
Upstairs in the 2nd story unit- lived Bruce Lee while playing Kato in the Green Hornet Series. Desilu, now Amazon Studios, is located behind the backyard of this home. I was riding by one afternoon not long ago, when I saw a couple moving in that unit upstairs. I had to stop and ask-“Do you know the history of this place ?” They said “No.” “Bruce Lee lived here in the mid 1960’s” I could barely contain myself as I stood inside in what was his living room. They sat stunned,- imagine your in a sacred zone, imagine worse- that you may have never known that without this Mysterious Minstrel who just happened to be passing by…
A black and white photo of a man holding two smiling children, standing outside a house with a staircase and a large bush in the background.
A narrow alleyway featuring two buildings with a staircase leading to an upper unit, flanked by hedges and a blue trash bin on the right side.

Back unit of this triplex-picture match-Bruce lived in the front building.

A man lying on a mat on the grass gazes up at another man, who is standing and preparing to drop a basketball towards him, in a black and white outdoor setting.

“Study Hard ” was how he greeted kids on their way to school on Van Buren Street in Culver City, where he lived while filming this T.V Series.

A black and white image of a muscular man standing in a garden, holding a stick with both hands. He is shirtless and wearing light-colored pants.
A black and white photo of a man in athletic wear demonstrating a martial arts move towards a woman, who is standing with a surprised expression. The background features a grassy area and wooden fence.
A scene depicting a martial arts duel, with one fighter in a yellow outfit performing a high kick above another fighter who is shirtless and positioned defensively.
“O.K- I’m warmed up- Bring it On ! “ says Lew Alcindor…. Like a Cobra strike, what style and grace.

Push play for Classic T.V – Remember this episode when the masks all met on a Bat Rope ?

When Crime Fighters Unite

The Green Hornet filmed in 1966-67, Produced by William Dozier, who also produced Batman. Van Williams starred as publisher Britt Reid and Bruce Lee as martial arts expert – Kato. A 26 episode ABC Series. This series was canceled after only 1 year. Batman was the craze in the mid -1960’s, this show suffered low ratings and was thought to be to serious compared to the wild, free flowing Batman series.

Batman had star power, big guest stars and many beautiful women. You wanted to be in the Batman craze, and the list of villains was brilliant. Every episode was fresh and colorful. The Green Hornet was dark, like those Batman features made when this series franchised into something bigger than life.

Batman screamed 1960’s- A cultural phenomenon. The reruns take you back to a time when making a hit series was flat out…Too Much Fun. The chemistry between Catwoman-Julie Newmar and Bruce Wayne’s character was very appealing. Call it – Dynamic, “Robin you can go home now, you have homework to do” says the mature crusader.

Born Julia Chalene Newmeyer, she was my favorite villain, a trained dancer of ballet and Spanish dance, you had to wonder if their was romance between these two…

A close-up of a woman dressed as Catwoman and a man dressed as Batman, lying against a building edge, with a view of a busy road below.
A woman dressed as a cat burglar wearing a black mask and shiny outfit, posing with a bag labeled '000' in front of a building.

Save Me -Batman!

Batman Canceled

Ratings started to decline and production cost went upwards. The skits became stale by the 3rd season and Yvonne Craig, BatGirl, was brought in to boost ratings. A very expensive show to produce with cutting edge color technology and high -profile guest villains who commanded large salaries.

Season 4 …Almost

NBC was interested in picking up this series ABC no longer wanted , but before the deal was finalized, in true Hollywood form, the expensive sets – including the BatCave-interior were demolished to clear space on the studio lot at 20th Century Fox. NBC backed out rather than pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to rebuild all of what was needed. This show became wildly successful once again in syndication, and future generations to this day often visit the BatCave exterior for nostalgic reference.

A black and white photograph of a sleek car positioned near a rocky cave entrance, suggesting a remote outdoor location.
Inside a cave looking out towards a bright opening at the end of a rocky tunnel. The ground is uneven and covered with dirt and small stones.

Written and Lived by…Donnie Norden

Tour Desilu with Batman

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Friday the 13th – My Lucky Number!

The Bat Cave Location: “The signal is coming from Culver City-Robin”– Bronson Cave, a must visit for T.V buffs.

“We have a problem at old Bioscope Studios …Robin, put on your safety boots, hooves are needed in that wild silent movie ranch.”

Main Lot on Ince Blvd, Stock Units is The Allen Warehouse. Set Walls get reused and stored inside.

Ince Blvd, Desilu Studio Entrances

Bioscope is a word used to describe early film projectors -silent films.“Villains hide inside these dilapidated buildings and False Fronts”…says Robin!

False Face is hiding somewhere in these false fronts…

No Trespassing Desilu Studios…“Gomer Pyle must be filming at Desilu / Paramount today Batman.” says an excited Caped Crusader.

“Keep an eye out in these False Fronts -Robin,” barks Batman.

“Is that the Rail Depot from Gone with the Wind Batman?”…”Indeed Robin, You know your Bioscope History I see” says the older crusader.

Base Camp for this episode with crew taking it all in. Batman’s Trailer – Gray -complete with a license plate for towing to locations, 3 back sliding windows and an air conditioner on the roof. Parked in area also used for Mayberry R.F.D. Sam’s Farm House is on the front side of trailer.

“They have fallen into my trap ” says this masked villain.

Showdown – Downtown Mayberry/Gotham City/Culver City!

“Batman How do you track him so well ?” says yellow cape to the purple cape. “Just follow the dust- Robin!” “He’s hiding in these False Fronts with his False Faces-Batman”

“THAT”S STALAG 13 BATMAN !”

“I SEE NOTHING !”

Has the Dynamic Duo been obliterated ? Or– was this an inflatable Batmobile? A False Car tricks a False Face.

“Can’t trick tricksters – False Face-Give up, escape is impossible “

Unless you got a motorcycle…

“Cut through these false fronts…it’s a short cut.”

Cut through here…This really does cut from Western Street to the Middle East Sets built for King of Kings in 1927.

“He could be hiding inside any of these old False Walls and fake props” yells The Boy Wonder

Up those stairs, I had a fort, decorated with props from Stalag 13.

A Devious Villain indeed…

Reinforcements-Chief O’Hara arrives to see a toasted Bat Car Frame. But wait, is that really Chief O’Hara ?

“What do we do now BATMAN?”

“Holy Mole Richardson Arc Lights Batman”… as old as Gotham City itself!

“Stretch this rope from Gone With the Wind across the road from the movie light to this tree -Robin.” “This backlot has more tricks up it’s sleeve than my utility belt!”-says a determined Batman.

“There is no where left to hide on this ranch False Face-Give yourself up!”

“False Batman – I can lose myself in the old west!”

“Rustlers ay-I’ll help you guys out”…says this lone Cowboy.

“Holy Horse Crap-this cowboy is False Face!”

Can’t fool Batman, especially at a saloon…

“You could help Robin ! “

When I took this photo in 1973, I was picturing this Batman episode filmed on this same spot… Batman Ambrosia never wears off.

One final toss-through a window no-less…

“Confounded Caped Crusader!”

Commissioner Gordon is right handed-yet he’s holding his handkerchief with his left hand- Batman suspects the Chief.

“Lucky the sheriff didn’t catch ya…he hangs criminals”

“One villain at a time” is how this haunted studio backlot operates, luckily law enforcement includes – Sheriff Taylor, Elliott Ness, Superman, and The Green Hornet.

The old west return to being refuge to neighboring kids who just happen to have a fort upstairs in this building. It even has a phone to that calls “Off Lot.” Visitors Welcome…

Conclusion:

Folks- this is the best episode ever using this backlot. Any series ever, this is Golden Age Hollywood stuff! Nowhere else will you see so much Desilu backlot.

This series screams-The Sixties…

It jumps of the screen, colors like comic book pages. It made you go buy a ” Color T.V,” The T.V revolution is in full force, every twisted turn in this episode winds through iconic television exterior sets. Never will you cut through buildings like this again, exactly as I used to operate here-.inside False Fronts. I stalked BATMAN, first on my Schwinn bicycle from outside the fences-looking in, wearing garments such as a cape and mask, bought with (a million- Blue Chip Stamps)...what a bargain.

Yes I saw the Caped Crusader, they sped by kicking up a trail of dust as I melted into the studio fence. Like a dream coming true-I had -Bat Goose Bumps as my heart fluttered. Little did I know in 1967, much more Batman was ahead for me.

My Bat Evolution

In the mid-Eighty’s, I worked on the first 3 features made by Warner Brothers using Universal’s backlot. Sure, these were super high budgeted features with villains such as Danny DeVito as the Penguin and Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze. Sets built both on stage and on the backlot made the original look like a kids imagination. These were more evil and ruthless, yet rich in flavor.

As the days and nights of filming took place, talking to the crew working this film, my past meets my future. I was the only person on this modern film version with the direct link to the past when Bruce Wayne was Adam West and every episode was two-parts must see T.V.

All Things BATMAN- June 13,1966 My 6th Birthday. The Caped Crusader was there on my T-Shirt I refused to take off., ever. Soon after this party, I would see the dynamic duo actually film a few segments in real life-Living Color. 60 years of Batmobiles, Capes, Masks and Villains – that’ s are so cool – you would like to meet each one personally, I never expected the candles to still be burning in 2026.

Written and Lived by…Donnie Norden