While the 1960's TV Batman has been lampooned from everything to major motion pictures like Kick *** to literally a 60's TV Batman porno, there is no denying that it's very much a part of Americana. Something I'm surprised DC Direct or some other toy company hasn't focused in on. It's a license to print money I tell ya. Today I'm taking a look at something that Mattel could make in either their 12 inch or 8 inch figure lines that I think would be a big hit.



Infinite Hollywood: Retro 1960's Action?

Check it out and let us know if you'd be a fan of something like this!

I would be on board.

I would buy one of those.

I doubt it's possible right now. The rights to the series are still up in the air (Fox made series based on a now-Warners owned property, with neither side blinking), which is why we've seen no DVD sets. The movie was done under a different contract, apparently, and thus was released, but I think by Fox, not Warners. I'd have to assume the rights aren't up for grabs right now unless Mattel went to Fox and licensed the film characters only (and I doubt they'd do that and risk ticking off DC/Warner).

I made my own.

quote:

Originally posted by BlackKnight:
I made my own.

If it's anything like your custom BATB Batman,then it must look pretty sweet.Got any pictures?

quote:

Originally posted by Batzarro:

quote:

Originally posted by BlackKnight:
I made my own.

If it's anything like your custom BATB Batman,then it must look pretty sweet.Got any pictures?

I'd love to see them too!

That would be a dream line come true for us fans of the 60's Batman TV show!
Bring it on!

mr.metzger is correct on the fox/warner licence.i have been a fan of this show since the re-airs of the early 70's(witch also led me to wanting the origional mego wgsh figures that i still proudly display in my home)but sadly every news link or insider info i have ever came across states that fox will not sale the rights for a reasonable price and warner will not let fox make money off of their property.and with the lawsuit over the watchmen being filed by fox after warners finished filming the movie and not in early stages of production,i read, that warner felt blind-sided by fox.so unfortunatly most of us will never see the series on dvd other than bootlegs,and only figures and statues of the real actors..adam west,burt ward,ect.could be made.i wish they could because that would be the greatest selling toy line of all time,in my opinion.so untill someone gives in i'll just keep my wgsh figures on display and my fingers crossed.

It definitely makes sense for them to take this route. I don't see why it couldn't be in the future for this line. The only thing I see right now is that the face detailing isn't strong enough to create a "Adam West" type resemblance. People might have to take sculpting seriously for that one, which quite honestly I think they should considering the sticker price on these. At 20 bucks, they should have sculpts as good as DCUC. I don't care if they are going for a "retro" look. You can still do it without making them look like barbie heads.

An Adam West Batman figure might just be the greatest thing ever, I'm in.

The 60's Batman movie was the first movie I ever saw at the theater as a tyke, and I grew up watching the series first run and in syndication, so the thought of finally having figures of those versions of the characters brings a huge smile to the grumpy old dragon's face (a King Tut would be enough for me to faint dead away). I really wish it wasn't held hostage by two studios trying to prove who's more pigheaded. NO ONE is benefitting from keeping the rights in limbo, so how is that a good business decision?

This is not only a studio war but also an issue with actors likeness rights. That is a whole other battle concerning both the DVDs and any merchandising, if I remember correctly.

quote:

Originally posted by Lee in MI:
This is not only a studio war but also an issue with actors likeness rights. That is a whole other battle concerning both the DVDs and any merchandising, if I remember correctly.

Quite likely, yes. The huge merchandising machine we have today didn't exist back then, so productions didn't have likeness rights and such written into contracts. They would likely need to secure West and Ward's approval, as well as any of the other actors.

quote:

Originally posted by scott metzger:

quote:

Originally posted by Lee in MI:
This is not only a studio war but also an issue with actors likeness rights. That is a whole other battle concerning both the DVDs and any merchandising, if I remember correctly.

Quite likely, yes. The huge merchandising machine we have today didn't exist back then, so productions didn't have likeness rights and such written into contracts. They would likely need to secure West and Ward's approval, as well as any of the other actors.

I'm sure once they die their estates (that's sideways for greedy family members) will sell their rights in a heartbeat!