I can't overstate the importance of a film's running time. It's just as vital as the content of the movie. You can have the greatest ending to grace the silver screen, but that doesn't matter if you take too long to get there. Running jokes are funny, with the proper comedic timing but without it, you lose the audience well before the punch line.
Classic Movie Trailers - Batman (1966)
The Batman TV series from the 1960's, is a timeless classic, as far as I'm concerned. It's one of those shows in constant syndication. We know it, love it and have done so for years; however, that's because of the excellent presentation. Each episode was approximately thirty minutes, and in hindsight, that's all we needed.
This feature is over four times the length of the weekly adventures, without a major difference in content. Instead of making changes to justify the scope, what we have here is just an extended romp. Personally I thought that it felt extended. It seems like they had to stretch it out, to make the timing requirements.
If you do that in stand-up, do you know what happens? I'm told a large hook enters the scene from stage right. It grabs the performer by the neck, and drags that person off stage, while the audience laughs and breathes a sigh of relief. If the hook doesn't come early enough they start throwing tomatoes. Again, this is hearsay, but I'm sure it happens occasionally.
You really have to get in, do the job and get out. I don't think this movie did that, but it has some great moments. The strength of the TV show was always the performances, and we're treated to the acting that made the show a success. Burgess Meredith steals the show as the Penguin, and Romero's Joker is authentic, despite the stubborn moustache.
Above all, I think the greatest asset of the movie, is Adam West's portrayal of the lead role. In order for camp to work, you have to pay it straight, and West gives the right amount of seriousness. Despite the rediculous things happening around him, this Batman is earnest and committed to fighting the evil. When he has Robin and the Commissioner around, the whole thing feels like a Silver Age comic.
Still, after eighty minutes I was looking at my watch, and I had another twenty minutes to go. The gags were losing potency and I was losing patience. My smile turned into half of one, and then I was smirking. The crimefighter was running around with a time bomb on his head, and I would have paid extra to have the thing blow up. It just went on and on and I had to wonder, if the editor was told to let it play.
Regardless, don't let this one dissuade you. The timing crisis here isn't present in the series. If you did enjoy the production and you were left wanting more, please ignore my rambling and carry on. You can have too much of a good thing, but that line is different for all of us. Indulge yourself until you've had enough.
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@ChannelSeals
See "Batman" on Netflix!
Next week: BYE Week. (Happy Halloween!)
The following Monday: Commentary on "Chaplin".
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