Movie Review: Return to the Batcave

Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt

Starring: Adam West, Burt Ward, Jack Brewer, Jason Marsden, Lyle Waggoner, Lee Meriwether, Frank Gorshin, Julie Newmar, Betty White, Amy Acker, Brett Rickaby, Curtis Armstrong, Jim Jansen, Stacy Kamano, Ray Buktenica, Steve Vinovich, Andy Umberger, Joel Swetow, Nina West, Darla Haun, Julia Rose, Erin Carufel, Nikki Ziering, Quinn K. Redeker, Tony Tanner, Bud Watson, Christopher Darga

Director: Paul A. Kaufman

Artisan Entertainment, The Kaufman Company, USA, 2003.

Former Batman TV-series stars Adam West (Adam West) and Burt Ward (Burt Ward) get fake invitations to charity event at Car Museum. It is a trap as Riddler uses the event to steal the Batmobile. Adam and Burt go to search for the Batmobile while remembering back their careers. Young Adam (Jack Brewer) was already a known actor from other TV-series but Burt whose real name is Bert Gervis (Jason Marsden) was a barely surviving real estate agent.

Adam West

Burt Ward

Young Adam and Burt

After the series became popular Adam and Burt got also many female fans, it was the wild 1960s after all. This caused the divorce of Burt from his first wife Bonnie Lindsey (Amy Acker). Once Burt had to run away a psychotic female fan with a knife. Also Catholic Legion of Decency complained about Burt's revealing tights. Adam got a playboy reputation and found it difficult to find a steady relationship. Eventually the popularity of the series faded and not even Batgirl (Erin Carufel) could save the series.

Julia Rose as young Julie Newmar

The Dynamic Duo in Batcave

This is a movie for the fans of the original Batman-series. Basically the movie follows the structure of a Batman episode, as Adam and Burt try to solve the mystery. There is even a fight with Kapow-effects and also a deadly trap that the Dynamic Duo has to escape. There are many references and inside jokes that go way over the head of those who have not seen the original series. The movie feels a bit like school reunion as there are many actors of the original villains playing small roles (Catwoman Julie Newmar in Arizona bar, Catwoman Lee Meriwether as waitress and Riddler Frank Gorshin as himself. The movie is funny and nostalgic "behind the scenes" story of the campy TV-classic.

Adam West and Julie Newmar

Lee Meriwether

Frank Gorshin

Rating: Good