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Part of an ad that appeared in the Orlando Sentinel on Jan. 12, 1966 for the debut of ‘Batman’ on WFTV-Channel 9. (Sentinel file)<\/p>\n\u201cABC Hoping To Set New Trend With \u2018Batman.\u201d That was the headline on this story from our Jan. 12, 1966, edition of the Orlando Sentinel.<\/p>\n
Sandra Hinson\u2019s story previews the debut of what would become the iconic \u201cBatman\u201d TV series. Here\u2019s her story:<\/p>\n
A white hot beam of light pierces the midnight sky, sending its urgent message into the inky black night over Gotham, striking terror into rotten hearts of evil-doers.<\/p>\n
At the end of that blinding beam, sent forth from Police Commissioner Gordon\u2019s office, the clouds above the city reflect the winged symbol of swift and incorruptible justice \u2014 The Bat \u2014 the mute unfailing call for Batman!<\/p>\n
ABC\u2019s twice-weekly TV series based on the famous \u201cBatman\u201d cartoon character debuts Wednesday night leading off the network\u2019s highly touted \u201csecond season\u201d of four new shows. The publicity staff is pulling out all the stops to arouse interest in the show, including a Hollywood premiere in New York complete with lights, blazing Bat symbols, plush red carpets, champagne and popcorn.<\/p>\n
The production staff has gone all out to make the show appeal to adults as well as the eight to 14-year-old action set. \u201cThis is merchandising medium, not an entertainment medium,\u201d said producer William Dozier, explaining why he decided to apply the pop art technique of the exaggerated cliche, laying it on to the point where it becomes amusing to adults.<\/p>\n
Part of an ad that appeared in the Orlando Sentinel on Jan. 12, 1966 for the debut of ‘Batman’ on WFTV-Channel 9. (Sentinel file)<\/p>\n
\u201cPicture it.\u201d exclaims Judy Stone, New York Times News Service television writer: \u201cBruce Wayne, clean-cut millionaire crime fighter, known to evil-doers as Batman and his young ward, alias Robin, Boy Wonder, high on the wipe-\u2019em-out list of The Riddler (Frank Gorshin), cunning head of the Molehill Mob. \u201cYou swing a mean cape,\u201d says Molly, the mob\u2019s moll (Jill St. John), as she and Batman dance the Watusi at the \u2018What-A-Way-To-Go-Go\u2019 just before Batman slumps to the floor, done in by glass of orange juice. But wait, Batman will rise again!<\/p>\n
Naturally, ABC is hoping to set a new trend with the show. Dozier is quoted as saying \u201cIf comic book series can be produced as well as we hope to produce \u2018Batman,\u2019 we would be delighted to start a trend.\u201d<\/p>\n
Batman debut in Orlando<\/a><\/p>\n Article from Jan 12, 1966 The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Florida) <!\u2014 ![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img.jpeg\"\/)
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