The Catwoman (Julie Newmar)
The Catwoman is one Batman's earliest comic book adversaries, initially appearing in Batman #1 (Spring 1940), and became the best-known and most frequently seen Batman villian. Catwoman is one of Gotham City's most prominent villains appearing in 15 episodes (12 of which are Julie Newmar).
Catwoman was more prominant during the second season and Julie's character took another slant. Sexual tensions began to develope, particulary in "The Bat's Know Tow" where Catwoman ask's for a date. The love interest was developed by the producers to keep the adult viewers in particular more engaged.
Julie Newmar
"Cats are sleek, cats are fast. Cats are... well... they aren’t mean their just wiley. And they will grab your attention in the most seductive way." - Newmar
Julie Newmar taking the role:
"I had lived in New York at the time on Beekman Place, I remember it
was a weekend, Friday or Saturday, and my brother had come down from Harvard
with five or six of his friends, and we were all sitting around the sofa,
just chatting away, when the phone rang. I got up and answered it , and
it was the agent or someone in Hollywood, who said, Miss Newmar, would you
like to play the Catwoman on the Batman series? They are casting it out
here. I was insulted because he said It starts Monday. I said 'What is this'
That's how television is done: they never know what the are doing until
yesterday. My brother leapt off the sofa. I mean he physically levitated
and said BATMAN! that's our favorite show at Harvard. We all quit our classes
and quit our studies and run into the TV room and watch the show. I said
, They want me to play Catwoman. He said DO IT ! so I said O.K. I'll do
it."
Lair's
In order of appearance:
- The Gato and Chat Fur Company
- The Pink Sandbox
- Duncan's Dance Studio
- Subterranean Suite Six of the Catacombs Condominium
- Western Catlair
- Eta Beta Latka Sorority Home
Molls, thugs and accomplices
In order of appearance:
- Leo and Felix - Thugs
- Jack O'Shea - Writer for the gossip column in the Gotham newspaper
- Charles, Tom and John - Thugs
- Eenie - Moll
- Meanie, Miney and Moe - Thugs
- Benton Bellgoody - Gave Catwoman access to Duncan Dance Studio's
- Cattie and Kitty - Female Thugs/Molls
- Pussycat - Mole
- French Freddy - A famous fence
- Dave the Dummy and Marvin the Moose - Thugs
Trivia:
1. Julie had not ever heard of "Catwoman" before she auditioned for the role.
2. Selina Kyle, Catwoman's alter ego was not used in the series.
3. Due to her role in "Mackenna's Gold" she was unable to play Catwoman in the third series so Eartha Kitt took over.