Fans of the 1960s “Batman” TV series converged on Teaneck, N.J., Nov. 12 and 13 to celebrate 45 years of their favorite show, and Yours Truly joined them to wrap up a year-long promotion of my book about the series, “Gotham City 14 Miles.” NJ Comic Expo promoter Tom Jeron pulled out all stops to make the show a Bat-fan’s dream come true and I was honored to be invited as a guest.

Jim Beard and Lee Meriwether

Jeron brought in five actresses who had appeared on the famous TV show — Lee Meriwether, Terry Moore, Donna Loren, Deanna Lund and Susan Silo — and billed them as the “poor deluded females who crossed the Caped Crusaders.” Pop culture fans received a double treat from Lund, who also starred in “Land of the Giants,” and Loren, who did the music for “Beach Blanket Bingo.” On hand were also three replica 1960s Batmobiles, a replica 1960s Batcycle and the original Batcopter used in the 1966 “Batman” feature film. I was amazed to see what prime condition the ’copter is in, a testament to its present owner.

That Saturday night, fans were also treated to a special screening of the ’66 “Batman” movie in nearby Jersey City at an opulent Art Deco theater. Jeron arranged for an archival 35mm print from 20th Century Fox to be shown and for star Meriwether, who played Catwoman in the film, to speak before the screening.

It was Meriwether who truly made the entire show and trip for me. I approached her table on Saturday afternoon with an original 1966 press still from the feature film for her to autograph, one that I had Adam West sign in 1999 in Ohio. Meriwether was charm and poise personified as she told me a story about the jewelry she was wearing in the still — her own bracelet and ring — and also agreed to pose for a photo with me and a copy of “Gotham City 14 Miles.” When she asked where one could acquire a copy of the book, I knew at that moment that she needed one for her very own and gave her the copy I held; I could think of no better way to mark the first anniversary of its publication.

Tags: Batman, Comic books, Comics Rack, Deanna Lund, Donna Loren, Gotham City 14 Miles, Jim Beard, Lee Meriwether, Susan Silo, Terry Moore

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 29th, 2011 at 12:22 pm and is filed under Comics, Star.
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