'Return To The Batcave'

Adam West Returns To Prime Time TV With 'Batman' Movie

(CBS)  Best known from his role in the 1960's television classic "Batman," Adam West symbolized the stoic caped crusader born from the well-established comic book series.

On CBS, West returns to the small screen with his sidekick Burt Ward, as Robin, the Boy Wonder, in the made-for-television movie, "Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt."

West visited The Early Show to discuss the movie, which airs Sunday, about the dynamic duo that tries to solve another bat caper by recovering the Batmobile after it's stolen from a charity auction.

West says he originally didn't want to do a reunion show. But from the start of the making of "Return to the Batcave," producers were open to ideas and suggestions. Unlike the recent darker movie versions of Batman, the new television movie incorporates some comedy along with the adventure — creating a campy style reminiscent to the original series.

West and Ward play fictionalized versions of themselves. While trying to find the Batmobile, West and Ward flashback to the times of their '60s television series to reveal a bizarre behind-the-scenes story of the creation of the television series.

For the movie, West and Ward re-teams with Frank Gorshin (the original Riddler) and Lee Meriwether and Julie Newmar (two women who played Cat woman).

Comic book enthusiasts may know creator Bob Kane originally created "Batman" in 1939. Batman and his teenaged charge, Robin, worked to help keep Gotham City safe for all of its citizens. The television series brought Bruce Wayne and his alter ego Batman to a larger audience in 1966. The show ran through 1968. Although it was a short run, the show touched thousands of kids that saw it in syndication years later.

"Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt" airs on CBS March 9, 9:00 PM, ET.

Some Facts About Adam West

Born William West Anderson in Walla Walla, Wash., Sept. 19, 1928

West went to Whitman College where he got a degree in literature and psychology

West had a job as a DJ at a local radio station, then enrolled at Stanford for post-grad courses

West was drafted by the Army and he spent 2 years starting military television stations, first at San Luis Obispo, Calif., then at Fort Monmouth, N.J.

In 1959, he went to Hollywood and adopted the stage name "Adam West"

West's other television credits include "The Last Precinct" and "The Detectives"

West starred in over 40 feature films, including "Young Philadelphians," "Marriage of a Young Stockbroker," "The New Age," "An American Vampire Story," "Robinson Crusoe On Mars," "Soldier In The Rain," "Nevada Smith" and "Batman"

West voiced several animated series, including "The Simpsons," "The Critic," "Family Guy," "Batman," "Johnny Bravo," "Rugrats," "Animaniacs," "The Super Adventure Team" and "Spydogs."

West's animated short film, "Redux Riding Hood," was nominated for an Academy Award


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