(ABC Primetime, 1966 - 1968) [a fad sensation when it first appeared, this series brought to live action the cartoon character first created by Bob Kane in 1939; although animated cartoon series followed from 1968 through 1981, this was the original "camp" live-action version of "the caped crusader" and "his boy wonder"; the series took a mock-serious approach known as "camp", and in cartoon fashion animated action ballons were superimposed over fight scenes; Adam West played the dual roles of Bruce Wayne who slides down the fireman's pole to become "Batman"; and Burt Ward played the dual role of "his ward", who becomes "Boy Wonder" Robin; The series was such a pop phenomenon, that both competing networks produced short-lived imitations -- "Captain Nice on NBC and "Mr. Terrific" on CBS]
[ASCAP title variation... aka: "Main Title - Batman Theme"; Neal Hefti who was known for his catchy, sophisticated jazz tunes including "Cute", "Lil' Darlin'", "Girl Talk" from "Harlow" and the "Theme from the 'Odd Couple'" came up with a decidedly unsophisticated tongue-in-cheek THEME based upon the 12-bar blues progression; the melody was harmonized using the unusual relatively dissonant interval of a major second instead of more typical 3rds and 6ths; so it was a bit "in your face"; But since the whole camp concept was "in your face" with the cartoon baloons of "Bam!" and "Ka-pow!" on the screen, this approach seemed to work; and the THEME became a pop hit as recorded by Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra; Episode cues for the series were composed by Neal Hefti, Nelson Riddle, Elmer Bernstein, Robert J. Drasnin, Warren Barker and Billy May] Composer: Neal Hefti (ASCAP) 1978 Publisher: Miller Music Corp. (ASCAP) 2001 Publisher: EMI-Miller Catalog, Inc. (ASCAP) c/o EMI Music Publishing of New York, NY Published Copyright Date: Jan. 25, 1966; EP 225 496. Published Renewal Date: Jan. 24, 1994; RE-666-356. Recordings: