Batman (adventure, starring Adam West and Burt Ward)

     (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]


Theme: "Batman Theme"

    [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:



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