Animated "Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders" Gets One-Time Theatrical Release

Following Record-Breaking ‘Batman: The Killing Joke’ Event, ‘Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders’ Set for Exclusive One-Time Cinematic Event October 10, 2016

Fathom Events, Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment Spotlight Adam West, Burt Ward and Julie Newmar Voicing Classic Roles

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Travel back to the 1960s as Batman and Robin spring into action when Gotham City is threatened by a quartet of Batman’s most fiendish foes. Audiences will have the opportunity to join all the animated excitement as it unfolds on the big screen for one special day. Fathom Events is once again partnering with Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment to bring “Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders” to movie theaters for three exclusive showings on Monday, October 10, 2016 at 2:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. local time, before it comes to EST on October 11, 2016 and Blu-ray™ on November 1, 2016.

    “Working with Warner Bros. on ‘Batman: The Killing Joke’ was a great experience and we knew it was something we wanted to duplicate”

Bringing these iconic characters to animated life are Adam West (Batman), Burt Ward (Robin) and Julie Newmar (Catwoman). In the new film, Penguin, The Joker, Riddler and Catwoman have combined their wicked talents to hatch a plot so nefarious that the Dynamic Duo will need to go to outer space (and back) to foil their arch enemies and restore order in Gotham City.

In addition to the film, audiences will view an exclusive pre-screening introduction, and a post-screening preview of “Those Dastardly Desperados,” a featurette that explores how these fiends became more than just antagonists in a Batman story – they became icons of American pop culture.

Tickets for “Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders” can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in more than 700 select movie theaters. For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

“Working with Warner Bros. on ‘Batman: The Killing Joke’ was a great experience and we knew it was something we wanted to duplicate,” Fathom Events Vice President of Studio Relations Tom Lucas said. “With ‘Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders’ we get to give our audiences another extremely exciting event experience driven by the return of three nostalgic pop culture names to their most memorable roles.”

“Fans have voiced a strong desire to see DC-centric animated films on the big screen for years, and ‘Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders’ offers another opportunity to entertain our audience with a highly-anticipated cinema event,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Vice President, Family & Animation Marketing. “Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is proud to launch our newly branded ‘DC Classics Collection’ films with a Fathom Events presentation.”


About Fathom Events
Fathom Events is recognized as the leading domestic distributor of event cinema, and ranks as one of the largest overall distributors of content to movie theaters. Owned by AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) and Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) (known collectively as AC JV, LLC), Fathom Events offers a variety of one-of-a-kind entertainment events that include live, high-definition performances of the Metropolitan Opera, dance and theatre productions such as the Bolshoi Ballet and National Theatre Live’s Hamlet, sporting events like FS1 Presents USA v Mexico, concerts with Roger Waters and One Direction, the TCM Presents classic film series and faith-based events such as The Drop Box and Four Blood Moons. Fathom Events takes audiences behind the scenes and offers unique extras including audience Q&As, backstage footage and interviews with cast and crew, creating the ultimate VIP experience. Fathom Events’ live digital broadcast network (“DBN”) is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live and pre-recorded events to 887 locations and 1,354 screens in 181 Designated Market Areas® (including all of the top 50). For more information, visit www.fathomevents.com.

About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc.
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video, digital distribution and interactive entertainment businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and is a significant developer and publisher for console and online video game titles worldwide. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees.

Batman and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC. (s16)

About DC Entertainment
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash, etc.), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables, etc.) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating across Warner Bros. and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment, and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is one of the largest English-language publishers of comics in the world.

About Warner Bros. Animation
Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) is one of the leading producers of animation in the entertainment industry, producing and developing projects for multiple platforms, both domestically and internationally. WBA’s TV series include Be Cool Scooby-Doo!, Bunnicula, Justice League Action, Teen Titans Go!, The Tom and Jerry Show, Wabbit – A Looney Tunes Production for Cartoon Network, Mike Tyson Mysteries for Adult Swim, Right Now Kapow for Disney XD and the forthcoming Green Eggs and Ham for Netflix. As the home of the iconic animated characters from the DC Comics, Hanna-Barbera, MGM and Looney Tunes libraries, WBA also produces highly successful animated films — including the DC Universe Animated Original Movies — for DVD. One of the most-honored animation studios in history, WBA has won six Academy Awards®, 35 Emmy® Awards, the George Foster Peabody Award, an Environmental Media Award, a Parents’ Choice Award, the HUMANITAS Prize, two Prism Awards and 20 Annie Awards (honoring excellence in animation).

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Frank Miller, Adam West Among Stars Celebrating 75 Years of Batman at San Diego Comic-Con

DC Entertainment Celebrates 75 Years of Batman with All-Star Panels at Comic-Con International: San Diego 2014 Featuring Frank Miller, Grant Morrison, Jim Lee, Geoff Johns and More

DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Present Unparalleled Line-Up of Batman Events Including ‘Gotham’ Premiere, ‘Assault on Arkham’ Premiere, Cape-Cowl-Create Art Exhibit, and a Star-Studded 1960s Batman TV Panel

Comic-Con 2014

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DC Entertainment (DCE) will descend upon Comic-Con International: San Diego 2014 (July 24 to 27, 2014) with a terrific line-up of all-star panels, can’t-miss events, and exclusive reveals, all to celebrate the milestone 75th anniversary of the world’s most popular Super Hero – DC Comics’ Batman. Celebration highlights include a pair of panels that will bring together a spectacular collection of Batman talent, a once-in-a-lifetime art exhibit, and a rare look at some of the most famous Batman film costumes in history.

The centerpiece to DCE’s plans includes two can’t-miss panel events where heralded names from Batman lore will join forces for an ultimate fan experience.

• Batman 75: Legends of The Dark Knight – In celebration of Batman’s 75-year history, join comic icons Frank Miller, Grant Morrison, DCE Co-Publisher and renowned Batman artist Jim Lee (BATMAN: HUSH), DCE Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns (BATMAN: EARTH ONE), current BATMAN creative team, writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo, along with vintage superstar BATMAN team writer Denny O’Neill and artist Neal Adams in an in-depth discussion on the legendary character’s explosive adventures in comics both past and present. Thursday 3:30-4:30pm Room 6BCF

• Batman 75th Anniversary – Delve into how Batman has been brought to life in comics, TV, movies and video games with Lee, Johns, BATMAN ’66 MEETS THE GREEN HORNET co-writer and KROQ radio personality Ralph Garman, the legendary voice of Batman Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series, Batman: Arkham Knight), producer and writer Paul Dini (Batman: The Animated Series), and Peter Girardi, Senior Vice President, Creative Affairs, Warner Bros Animation. Saturday 4-5:00pm Room 6BCF

The celebration also continues with a staggering collection of must-own items and exciting events from DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Entertainment.

    Celebrate the long-awaited home entertainment debut of Batman: The Complete Television Series with a can’t-miss panel featuring Batman on-screen legends Adam West, Burt Ward and Julie Newmar. Thursday 6-7pm Hall H

    For the supreme Batman fan experience, DC Entertainment’s interactive 4,500 square foot booth (#1915) will hold costumes donned by those who famously brought the legendary hero to life on film including Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, and Christian Bale. Plus, the booth will host signings with top talent including Jim Lee, Geoff Johns, John Romita Jr., Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo and more, along with a full slate of free giveaways, fan events and on-stage demonstrations.

    Attend the world premiere of Warner Bros. Television and FOX’s upcoming show Gotham during the star-studded “A Night of DC Entertainment” Hall H panel on Saturday evening from 8:00–11:00 p.m. Gotham tells the origin story of some of DC Comics’ greatest Super-Villains and vigilantes, following Detective Jim Gordon’s rise to power in a dangerously corrupt city that would spawn iconic characters such as The Penguin, Catwoman, The Riddler and a young Bruce Wayne. The Gotham premiere is part of the action-packed three-hour WBTV/DC Entertainment panel that will also highlight Arrow, The Flash and Constantine, with Arrow star Stephen Amell serving as master of ceremonies. Saturday 8-11pm Hall H

    Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment will celebrate the 75th anniversary of Batman at Comic-Con by unveiling life-size recreations of The Dark Knight’s iconic cowl headpiece and cape from the upcoming “Batman: Arkham Knight” videogame in the Hard Rock Hotel’s Legends Room. The Dark Knight’s iconic mantle will be re-imagined by top artists and celebrities including Zack Snyder (Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice), Mister Cartoon, Buff Monster, Zso (Sara Blake), Apex, Michael Hsiung, Will Arnett (The Lego Movie) Jeff Lemire and Ivan Reis. The “Cape/Cowl/Create” exhibition will be open to the public Friday through Sunday. Exhibit hours are 12-7pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

    Join the cast and creators of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment’s highly anticipated world premiere of Batman: Assault on Arkham animated film including the definitive voice of Batman, Kevin Conroy. Based on the best-selling video game series, Batman: Arkham, this action-packed film takes place between the Batman: Arkham Origins video game and Batman: Arkham Asylum video game. Friday 7-9:00pm Ballroom 20

    Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and TT Games present an inside look at LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham with an animated panel discussion featuring exclusive first look at new gameplay, content reveals and announcements by TT Games Game Director Arthur Parsons and Executive Producer Phill Ring, along with a stellar line-up of voice talent from the game. LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham will also be playable for consumer hands-on throughout the show. Sunday 1-2 pm Room 6BCF

    The Caped Crusader will tower over Gotham on the cover of Comic-Con 2014’s official Souvenir Book and on a must-own, Con exclusive t-shirt in a spectacular design penciled and inked by Lee.

    Join the writers and artists behind current Batman universe titles including BATMAN team Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, Marc Andreyko (BATWOMAN), Brian Buccellato (DETECTIVE COMICS), Pat Gleason (BATMAN AND ROBIN), Greg Pak (BATMAN/SUPERMAN), and Peter Tomasi (BATMAN AND ROBIN) for a special panel to discuss what’s in store for the World’s Greatest Detective.

    DC Collectibles will reveal a stellar new line of action figures based on the highly anticipated videogame from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Batman: Arkham Knight. Also, make sure to stop by Diamond retailers on the show floor to purchase DC Collectibles’ Harley Quinn convention exclusive statue.

    Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) joins the celebration at the DC Comics booth with fan-focused showcases, exclusives, and giveaways from key licensing partners each day of Comic-Con at 11am and 3pm. On Thursday, WBCP and partworks publisher Eaglemoss will present their line of Batmobiles throughout the ages; Friday will bring fan-favorite clothing company Black Milk to the stage with a display of its Batman and DC Comics Super Heroes-inspired line of female-focused apparel; Saturday, or Harley Quinn Day, will see WBCP and Hot Topic launch the new Hot Topic-exclusive Harleen lifestyle collection in a fashion show parade, while calling all Harley Quinn cos-players at Comic-Con to the DC Comics booth to join the fun; and Sunday, new WBCP and DC Comics partner, Schleich, will premiere its new DC Comics collectible figure line, with Batman at the forefront. Additionally, dozens of WBCP partners will be a-buzz around the Comic-Con show floor with exclusives and can’t-miss giveaways over the course of the show.

    Warner Archive Collection presents “A Batman for all Seasons” on Sunday at Noon. Join producer James Tucker, producer/director Brandon Vietti, WAC Podcast hosts Matthew Patterson and DW Ferranti and surprise guests, as they examine Batman iterations and oddities throughout history, from early films like “Public Defender” and the Batman cartoons, to new versions of the character, the off-kilter takes and new media. Sunday 12-1pm Room 7AB

    Fans will be able to pick up a wide variety of items exclusively available at this year’s Comic-Con - including variant cover editions of some of DC Comics’ most popular series. The Graphitti Designs booth (#2314) will offer variant editions of BATMAN #32, GRAYSON #1, and two versions of HARLEY QUINN INVADES COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL #1.

Can’t make the Con? DC Entertainment’s website is the go-to place for behind the scenes coverage and in-depth interviews.

Download the DC Entertainment Events App on Apple’s App Store or the Google Play Store to stay up to speed on all DC Entertainment signings and panels at San Diego Comic-Con.

About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world.

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Review: 1966 "Batman" Flick Still Fun

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 100 (of 2005) by Leroy Douresseaux

Batman (1966)
Running time: 104 minutes
DIRECTOR: Leslie H. Martinson
WRITER: Lorenzo Semple, Jr. (based upon THE BATMAN character created by Bob Kane and published by DC Comics)
PRODUCER: William Dozier
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Howard Schwartz
EDITOR: Harry W. Gerstad

SUPERHERO/COMEDY/ADVENTURE/FAMILY

Starring: Adam West, Burt Ward, Lee Meriwether, Cesar Romero, Burgess Meredith, Frank Gorshin, Alan Napier, Neil Hamilton, Stafford Repp, Madge Blake, and Reginald Denny

In January 1966, television history was made when the TV show “Batman” debuted. Its blend of camp humor and the large number of celebrities who guest-starred as villains (Roddy McDowall, Milton Berle, Eartha Kitt, Julie Newmar, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Cliff Robertson, and Vincent Price among many) made the show a huge hit with audiences of all ages. A television show based upon a superhero comic book had never been so popular, and “Batman” spawned one of the biggest pop culture fads of that time which included a slew merchandising and memorabilia. Starring Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin, the series last three seasons (120 episodes) and gave birth to a 1966 feature film, simply titled, Batman, which was released to theatres in between the first and second seasons of the show.

In the feature film, Batman (Adam West) and Robin (Burt Ward) face not one, not two, and not three foes, but four of them combined together as the United Underworld, a quartet of the most diabolical super-villains: the Penguin (Burgess Meredith), the Joker (Cesar Romero), the Riddler (Frank Gorshin), and the Catwoman (Lee Meriwether). Their plan to hold the world hostage involves using a secret invention that instantly dehydrates people and reduces them to small piles of dust. They need Batman out of the way, so Catwoman disguises herself as “Kitka,” a sly Soviet envoy who ensnares Bruce Wayne (West) as bait to draw the Caped Crusader into their deadly trap. What they don’t know is that Wayne is Batman’s secret identity. Will Bruce Wayne’s emerging attraction to Ms. Kitka lead to the destruction of Batman? Can the Dynamic Duo save the world? Tune in…

Batman the movie is, like “Batman” the television series, campy – a style of comedy known for being outlandishly amusing and theatrical. The film and series are likely parodies or send-ups of Batman & Robin’s first big screen appearance: the 1943, 13-part movie serial, also entitled Batman. The colorful and garish costumes, over-the-top dialogue, sexual innuendo, the farcical plot, and the kooky action scenes are all a tongue-in-cheek ode to an old favorite of serialized fiction and film – the cliffhanger, which often finds the hero or heroes a second away from certain death via some ridiculous invention or mechanical contraption. When the hero is saved or saves himself, it is always by the skin of his teeth via some totally off-the-wall or silly means, but it is all for fun.

In the last two-and-half decades or so, hardcore fans of the Batman comic books and other superhero comic books have come to revile the silliness of the 1960’s Batman, but silliness and big fun were the point of the series. I don’t think this film is nearly as funny or as enjoyable as the TV show, but it’s a nice, cultural oddity worth a few laughs. Personally, I prefer its take on the Batman costumes, as well as its interpretation of most of the characters, compared to most other screen Batman’s. Its importance to film, TV, and pop culture history remains the search to discover why the TV series became so popular at the time it did.

6 of 10
B

June 23, 2005