Every signature tells a story: Adam West and patient second-grade teachers

When I heard about the passing of Adam West today, my thoughts raced back to second grade and poor Mrs. Kellogg.

West, of course, was the Batman by which all other Batmans -- Batmen? -- are measured. 

You have to understand that at age 8, I was all about "Batman," Reruns ran everyday after school and, remember, this was before VCRs and DVRs. 

I had the toys and the Halloween costumes. My Cub Scout Pinewood Derby car was carved into the shape of the Batmobile. And every day at 5 p.m. I was glued to Channel 11 to watch the Dymanic Duo battle the Riddler, Catwoman and, on a good day, the Joker.

One day, Mrs. Kellogg announced she had an assignment for us. There was a new show called "The Electric Company" that was like "Sesame Street," but for bigger kids, like us. It was on early in the afternoon while we were still in school, but again at 5 p.m. And our assignment was to watch it every day.

I remember calmly raising my hand and stating that I would only be able to watch this show when I am home sick because 5 o'clock is the same time "Batman" is on.

It's not like I was the only one thinking it. I fully expected Mrs. Kellogg to apologize for this obvious oversight. And I would have forgiven her, too.

Instead, I clearly remember moments of stunned silence, followed by, "This show will help with reading and all kinds of things. What will 'Batman' teach you?"

"Crime fighting," I replied.

It was now painfully obvious that if some colorful arch-criminal would suddenly appear in the door of Room 12, only one of us was going to have a clue what to do, and it wasn't my teacher. She was lucky to have me there.

This was followed by a look that could only have said, "I don't get paid enough to deal with this nonsense." Truthfully, it was a look I would come to know well over the years.

I learned several things that day. Among them, that sometimes it best to remain silent and keep the truth to ourselves.

Naturally, Bat-fandom has carried on through the years, even as the parade of lesser, darker, growling actors wore the Bat-suit and drove greatly inferior Batmobiles.

I had a chance to meet Mr. West once. He was appearing at a video store around the time of the first Michael Keaton movie. 

He was very gracious and friendly with star-struck fans, and signed a copy of my Bat book. I did ask one important question:

Why was your favorite villain? 

"Catwoman!" he replied, quickly and with a smile.

Of course!

Behind the wheel of the Batmobile -- the Best Car Ever

I’m not a “car guy” by any stretch. But then again, the Batmobile isn’t just a car.

You have to understand that, growing up, the Batmobile was the only car that mattered on the only show that mattered.

We’re talking about the mid-1960s television show version of the Batmobile, not the merely adequate version in the Tim Burton movies or any of the disasters that followed.

I think a lot of guys my age treat the Batmobile with reverence. One co-worke recently came over to my desk and said, in hushed tones, “The Batmobile is coming.”

That got my attention.

The annual Metrocruise in a Grand Rapids suburb often has special appearances, and this year the glorious vehicle of our youth would be there.

Naturally, plans were made.

Behind the wheel of the Best Car Ever.

My 11-year-old daughter wanted to go with me, but that was going to require a proper introduction. Thursday night we watched the 1966 movie, which I never thought was a good as the television show, but is on DVD and is a suitable introduction to the Bat-world.

The cruise is conducted in a series of parking lots along the area’s busiest street, so traffic crawled as we got closer. There were hundreds of hot rods and fancy cars, with people setting up along the street for the parade later in the day.

I was interested in none of those. They are just cars. I’d rather have my Vue.

But then we saw it – the sleek black beauty with big fins, red striping and bubble windshields. It is beautiful.

Now, there are four officials versions of the Batmobile. The original was famously built by George Barris based on a Ford Futura, and Barris made two more as stand-ins for the television show and car shows.

Another copy was made for drag racing shows. There are also other versions out there made by collectors.

The guy at the cruise said there are 10 made, and only six exist today. That goes against everything else I’ve read, but I wasn’t considering this person a Bat-expert.

They also were advertising this car as Batmobile No. 1, which would be the first one Barris made. I don’t think this is that car. I’ve read that Barris owns it, and it’s in his own museum in California.

Plus, I didn’t see the slot in the front where the blade pops out.

So I kind of suspect that these folks were calling in No. 1, as in it was the first Batmobile, with the Tim Burton vehicle – a version of which this person also owns -- would be No. 2.

So I don’t know if Adam West ever sat in this particular car. If I were buying it, I’d be asking some more questions. But since I was just planning to sit in the driver’s seat for a couple minutes, I was ecstatic.
I happily paid the $10 -- which they said would go to charity -- so I could slide in behind the wheel.

It was snug, but part of that might have been because I was trying to be careful not to touch things.

The Batphone was under the dash and the t-shaped handle for the emergency Batturn hanging from the arch. Everything was labeled, just like in the show.

The speedometer was neat – it was more like a big compass, with the numbers spinning under a dome.

There was a mannequin dressed like Robin in the passenger seat. I kept waiting for him to say, “Atomic batteries to power, turbines to speed!” and flick the switch to fire up the flames out the back. Commissioner Gordon awaited.

My daughter dutifully snapped photos from all angles, and an employee offered to allow her to sit with me for a shot.

Eventually I had to slip back out for another entranced 40-something to relive his youth.
It was a glorious day.

The bat emblem on the doors.



The wheels looked pretty cool.