http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=3103

Did anybody realize that the car seen in "Return to the Batcave" was a different car and that a plastic model company could make a model kit of it without the rights issues of the TV batcar?

Yea, but close enough for us model fans! :D

Looks like the same car to me. What's the difference?

Did anybody realize that the car seen in "Return to the Batcave" was a different car and that a plastic model company could make a model kit of it without the rights issues of the TV batcar?

Well, it may have been a different physical car, but I would think intellectual property rights to the car design would preclude anyone taking a chance on it...

^^ If it's just a different car with the same design, it's the patent and/or copyrighted design that protects it. There's already been one car that was very, very similar (though not exact) in design that was seized and awarded as property to Barris after it was presented at a show as the Batmobile.

I enjoyed Return to the Batcave when it aired on TV, though I thought "Batman's" cowl looked weird, as if a helmet was underneath.
I would've enjoyed it more if they showed more of the behind-the-scenes stuff and less of the modern day contrived storyline with Adam West and Burt Ward.

- JJ

I don't know...Heiki may be right. If, as we've been told so many times, the rights to the car are always a bone of contention, the producers must've figured a way around it, OR they were able to secure the rights to use the design...in which case maybe all is not lost for us modelers!

If there were some changes (I only saw it the movie once) they may have been just enough to skirt the legalities (but not enough to disappoint the fans). If that's the case, maybe Barris can't stop the licensing of this vehicle.

Either way, until we see a kit of it, this discussion is just p_ssing into the wind!

^ As I recall, Barris himself was in the show during the first part before the car was stolen.


It was stated that the car is a replica but is different enough to skirt the issues.

If Barris was in the show, that probably means he didn't have a problem with it and gave his permission, whatever. I know it's just speculation on my part, but I'd guess that It's not different enough to avoid copyright/patent infringement if he were to press the issue.

A few years ago, I found a website (REALLY wish I could remember where) by a man who'd bought one of the original Black Beauties from the junkpile at the studio lot.

The car was in such disrepair and so rusted, it was barely recognizable. If I remember right, he did the mechanical repair (to get the car in running condition) himself, but felt the only way to have the car properly restored was to have Barris or Dean Jeffries (again, can't remember which, but both were responsible for a lot of the TV cars in the 60's) do the job.

The cost over-runs and legal bickering were incredible, but an astronomical fee was finally settled on in court. On finding the name "Black Beauty" had never been copyrighted or trademarked, the buyer applied for and was granted the rights. He figured at least he might be able to recover some of his costs by licensing the car to studios, toy manufacturers & model companies. Of course this was challenged by the designer(s) of the car and the new owner lost (he may still retain rights to the name, but not the design). He eventually sold the car (which in fairness had been restored beautifully) partially due to the cost of restoring the car, the legal costs incurred and not being able to recoup ANY of it.

The whole point being that given the greed (and maybe to a lesser extent, the pride) of these cars' designers, you'd think they'd realize there was still money to be made on them if they'd get their sh!t in one sock. As it stands right now, they have rights to cars they refuse to do anything with...until somebody else tries to :rolleyes: .

Yeah, you're right. It's a shame.

I hate to say it, but eventually, after certain parties have passed away, the family usually manages to resolve such issues and make some money off such hot properties (if they're still hot, that is). In addition, patents eventually expire and copyrights may lapse. It will be interesting to see what happens with these properties.

BTW: There's a fellow in the upstate of South Carolina who owns one of the Black Beauties that he is currently restoring. He plans on eventually getting it out to shows according to an email he sent me.

Well, it may have been a different physical car, but I would think intellectual property rights to the car design would preclude anyone taking a chance on it...

The car was different so they could have it in the show. The Bats on the doors are the same as the bats on the hubs. The trim around the canopys was black instead of chrome. These changes were done so FOX couldn't say anything, not Barris.

All of the costumes were different; Batman, Robin, Batgirl, Catwoman, Riddler, Joker, Penguin. Everything from the colors of the costumes to how Joker's make up was applied. Batman's gloves had only 3 spikes on the forearm, but on this show he had 4. Everything was just alittle different, even the Batcave itself.

That is how they made this show. They changed enough so it would hold up in court. And that's how we could have batmobiles, batcaves and action figures of our favorite show. :cool:

Bob

I enjoyed Return to the Batcave when it aired on TV, though I thought "Batman's" cowl looked weird, as if a helmet was underneath.

There was a fiberglass helmet underneath Adam's cowl throughout the entire run of the original show. His probably just fit better.
AT

Yeah? Then he had some armor just like the later movie Batman, eh?

Kind of... it was really there just to make the cowl the correct shape and keep it looking consistent from scene to scene.

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=3103
Thanks for the heads up!! I really enjoyed that movie!!
Hope they do another!!

I really enjoyed that movie!!
Hope they do another!!

"Return To The Unemployment Line".