Alexander the Great (1963)

Before Star Trek or Batman, there was Alexander the Great.  In 1963, William Shatner and Adam West were cast in a TV pilot that would detail the adventures of Alexander as he conquered the known world.  This episode: The Battle of Issus!  Of course, the pivotal battle that opened the heartland of Persia to Alexander's forces is more of a backdrop to the traitors among his leading generals, most notably Karonos (John Cassavetes).  William Shatner plays a cheerfully brash Alexander who just seemed like Kirk in a time-travelling episode of Star Trek.  Adam West's role was quite small but he is clearly intended as a trusted advisor and sidekick.  Joseph Cotten guest starred as Antigonus, the trusted elder statesman and voice of reason.

Filmed in Utah, the vast armies are never more than 30 or so soldiers.  It is no wonder that betrayal rather than epic battle was the focus.  As the show was not bought, this pilot sat around until years later when both Shatner and West had big followings.  In 1968, this turkey was aired.

Goofy and formulaic, it is both fun and cringe-inducing.  Just imagine the series that might have been if some network had given it the greenlight.

Return to the Batcave (2003)

While watching a rerun of his old TV series, Adam West hears the doorbell.  When he answers the door, no one is there but an invitation has been slipped under his door.  It is for tonight!  Calling upon Alfred - "My name is Jerry, sir" - to make arrangements, he is soon on his way to a charity auction.  To his surprise, his old chum Burt Ward also received an invitation.  Among the items available for auction is the original Batmobile!  Adam announces that he still has the key, proudly displaying it; he had taken it as a souvenir.  The lights go out and the Batmobile is stolen by some dastardly villain who took Adam's key!  No need to call the police.  Adam and Burt are on the case.

 

The campy present is spliced with events that happened during the filming of the show some 35 years earlier.  Adam is convinced that the car thief has returned from their past and they must recall that past to expose him or her.  In 1966, Adam West (Jack Brewer) is enchanted by the quirky comedy in the Batman script.  Despite his agent's misgivings, he wants the part.  He beats out Lyle Waggoner (who eventually starred as Steve Trevor in the 70s version of Wonder Woman) for the part.  Bert Gervis Jr. (Jason Marsden) won the part of Robin; he changed his name to Burt Ward almost immediately.  Marsden is outstanding as young Burt, outshining the actual Burt Ward of the present.  The things that Burt endured for the part serve as comic fodder but are true!  There is a scene with Cesar Romero refusing to shave his mustache for the role of the Joker.  Burgess Meredith doesn't like smoking for the role of the Penguin as it makes him cough, leading to his peculiar Penguin squawk.  Mostly, the scenes from the past are just fun background about the series, exploring the impact on the actors lives with the rise and fall of the show.

 

Of course, there are plenty of guest stars.  Lyle Waggoner plays the narrator, Lee Meriwether (one of the three actresses to play Catwoman) appears as a waitress, and Julie Newmar (the original Catwoman) has a part as a bar owner.  Frank Gorshin (the Riddler) also has a role.  Ah, look at all this nostalgia.

 

That Adam and Burt play themselves as would-be sleuths is often awkward.  It is particularly campy when they get into a fist fight (Adam was 74 at the time).  Unlike their alter-egos, Adam and Burt prove pretty clueless.  Still, it is a fun movie that will entertain any fan of the series.  Thumbs up!