Back to the Batcave [Paperback]

Adam West (Author), Jeff Rovin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1994

The star of television's legendary show Batman gives a behind-the-scenes tour of what really went on in Gotham City, offering many revealing anecdotes, candid photographs, and a complete episode guide.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The appeal of a Batman book by a guy who still regularly appears in public in full Bat-regalia is overwhelming, particularly when in places it reads like the old TV show's dialogue: "[Julie Newmar] caused curious stirrings in my utility belt." But West, Batman's TV avatar, can also be introspective: "The time [the mid-1960s] was wrong for a sinister, film noir Batman." And sometimes, were it not for the possibility that West may soon appear at a mall opening nearby, his narrative would be sad: "I was angry and profoundly disappointed when I was not asked to reprise the role" (in Tim Burton's feature film). In short, this is an informative book about a classic bit of television history by a participant who cared and still cares about the character he portrayed. Oh, some parts seem strained or naive, but this merely makes the book more evocative of its subject. A light but interesting memoir that as pop culture history is valuable for, besides West's insights, its annotated episode guide featuring his commentary. Mike Tribby

From Kirkus Reviews

An amiably ungrandiose, entertaining memoir of TV's Batman by the Caped Crusader himself. Aided by thriller writer Rovin (co-author of The Red Arrow, 1990), West devotes the first quarter of the book to his youth in Walla Walla, Wash., his eclectic early acting career in the thespian un-center of Honolulu, and his move into Hollywood westerns, at which time he jettisoned his birth name of Billy West Anderson. Selected in 1965 to play Batman, the actor prepared by reading novels whose heroes had dual identities, such as The Scarlet Pimpernel, and by scouring 1940s ``Batman'' comic books, trying to make his character ``as plausible as a superhero can be.'' West recalls how producers saved money by using sound-effects cards--``POW''--in place of transition shots, how he improvised the ``Batusi'' into a dance craze, and how difficult it was to shed his tight-fitting outfit on the way to the ``Batroom.'' He repeats his defense of the show as hard-working farce to critics who disparaged it as camp and his response to watchdog groups who suggested the crime-fighting team was gay (``Aunt Harriet wouldn't allow it''). He also offers thumbnail sketches of the actors who played show's villains, including the tormentingly sexy Julie Newmar as Catwoman, the distinguished Cesar Romero as the Joker, and the good-natured Liberace, miscast as an evil twin. After the show went off the air in 1968, West retreated into smaller roles and ``Batman'' nostalgia. While the actor hints that his Bat-fame gained him a good deal of recreational sex, he modestly leaves out the salacious details. Of the 1989 film version starring Michael Keaton, he observes that it showed ``an emotionally scarred Batman'' and regrets he wasn't offered the role. It won't make anyone cry ``Holy Publishing Event,'' but there's good fun for Batfans. -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 257 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (September 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425143708
• ISBN-13: 978-0425143704
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #792,134 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating and Touching, June 15, 2005

By 

Bradley Headstone "Sean ARES Hirsch" (New York) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Back to the Batcave (Paperback)

If you follow my reviews, you know that I like Batman on a whole which probably makes me biased. Now to be sure, this book is probably not for you if you aren't a fan of the old 60s series. Well, that said, the book is absolutely phenomenal. I apologize for the cliche, but I 'just couldn't put it down.' The book is nicely divided into several chapters, and Adam talks about the different aspects of his life. A little bit on his childhood, some of his work before Batman, a moment in his life that foreshadowed his role as Batman, and elements of his domestic life. One thing you will notice in this book is that West is NOT uptight and stiff like his most famous character. He writes very flowingly and at times he touches us closely with his experiences. Some things have a comical aspect. (Like how the mask compromised his vision, so he had to get familiar with the set to avoid tripping.) He also explains that to do a character convincingly, the actor has to understand and know who he is portraying; another amusing thing was he reveals that one of the reasons he often made exaggerated gestures was to compensate for the fact that for obvious reasons, facial expressions were not so much an option for him. He also gives a generous amount of time to the other cast members. (Another thing that shows Adam's abilites as a writer is that while he will admit that his favorite villains were Newmar as Catwoman and Gorshin as the Riddler, he explains why the Joker (Romero) and the Penguin (Meredith) held the most popular villain spots. The only guest star he really knocks is Otto Preminger as Mr. Freeze. He also talks a little about the equipment like the Batmobile. (It wasn't so easy to drive.) Another thing that shows his ability to write well is that while he liked Yvonne Craig as a person, he explains (without knocking her) that he was not overly delighted at the presence of her character. Some other significant chapters focus on his personal life. (How his domestic life was affected for the worse, how being famous came with some negative elements, and how he was affected when Batman was cancelled.) There is a deep sadness in how his life was brought to a sudden detour when this happened, and how he realized that being Batman gave him some years of fame but made it difficult to find work afterwards. To be sure, he did some work in movies and telvision, but nothing really gave him the popularity of the batdays. He later tells about an experience where he had to become Batman for real one day when on a vacation, someone attacked a girl with a machete. All in all, this is an absolute MUST for fans of the 60s Batman series. Perhaps one of the greatest chapters is where he explains why he was hurt at not being asked to do Batman in the Burton movies. (And it wasn't just jealousy.) He had some really understandable reasons for being angered and hurt. (I did notice one glitch. He said he voiced a 'villain' Grey Ghost in the animated series.) Well, the Grey Ghost was not a villain. He was the childhood hero of Kevin Conroy's Batman, and on top of that Adam West's Grey Ghost helped Kevin Conroy's Batman stop the villain in that episode. A final passage that ties the book together is that even though playing Batman came with a price, he accepted that everything comes with good and bad, and that when he thinks of the good, he didn't regret it at all. This is NOT AT ALL the work of someone looking for a few dollars. This is a book full of interesting experiences, and written with honest heart felt emotions. Sometimes they are comical, sad, or objective. Good luck trying to put this book down once you pick it up. If you enjoy this book, be sure to get the dvd "Return to the Batcave." Many of the events in this book will be seen in that recent movie.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Batman: Revealed!, December 25, 2004

By 

Toni "the bookworm" (Chicago, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Back to the Batcave (Paperback)

First, let me start off by saying that if you go to Mr. West's website, "www.adamwest.com"; you can get a personally autographed copy of his book. I think this is an absolutely great treasure to give to any "Batman" fan.

Second, my opinion of his tome. Simply stated, it's a fun ride back to your childhood. It gave me the scoop on everything and anything that was "bat-ified" because of that show. The only thing I wished was that there were more stories, even if little ones.

It was like a peek over the shoulder of one of my heroes from my youth. The difference now is that I can appreciate the reality of what went on outside the fantasy of Batman; what Mr. West sacrificed for the character. If you have the chance to see him in any other role, you would then understand "what could have been" in his career, though I think that he was born to be "The Caped Crusader".

What a look into the 60's and what was happening! Some of it delicious, and other parts, sobering. It seems that fame and fortune truly do have a price, but dealing with its effects is what made Mr. West a real man. He does this by being humble, quite honest, and quite funny, depending what part of his on-screen/off-screen life you're reading.

Some of his tales are pleasantly quirky, and others, detailed enough to feel like you were there; you remember an episode he speaks of, then you begin to think about what went on while he was filming it (the cast, the guests, etc.). Pure reading pleasure. Even the story surrounding the movie was wonderful.

I feel that he respected the reader enough, as well as himself, to describe the events of his life before, during, and after "Batman" by giving you insight that spins the yarn of all that was good and not-so-good, without having to give some of the harsh details. I make great mention of this because his co-star, Burt Ward, wrote his own version of life during "Batman" and if you have any morals or sense of respect for yourself or the show, DO NOT waste your time with his book. Mr. West was most gracious in his storytelling, and he deserves all your attention.
Get the book because "we haven't one moment to lose!".

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Alot of ego...but heart as well., November 19, 2000

By 

Olivia Redwing (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Back to the Batcave (Paperback)

Amazing how his career suddenly took off again after making a fool of himself back in 1989 on a nationally syndicated news interview show by crying and whining that Tim Burton never asked him to reprise his role as Batman. Alot of people felt sorry for him and all of a sudden he started appearing in guest spots on tv shows. The publicity stunt obviously paid off and there's no mention of this revival in his book. In fact he admitted that if he was asked to be in the movie he would've turned it down. What a bunch of baloney.

Another item that slightly ticked me off was that he mentioned he was in the recent Batman the animated series playing a "villian" called the Grey Ghost. He must think the majority of us readers who followed the Batmania trend closely are really stupid. The Grey Ghost mirrored West's life, a fact he may never want to admit.

I have to admit his book was far more digestable than Burt Ward's book. With the exception of Rudy Valley and Otto Preminger he never bad-mouthed anybody. Especially Burt Ward. He mentioned the ego wars between them but thankfully it was resolved peacefully and within a short period of time. Adam West ought to be commended for his maturity and insightfulness. It's a shame Burt Ward chose to run over his mentor for the sake of selling a book. I wouldn't blame Adam if he never spoke to Ward again.