Is the steam running out of the 66 Batman train already?

[Earth 2 Chris]

I think the tie-up has more to do with Fox, Greenway Productions/Dozier's daughter, and WB....with possibly George Barris in the mix. The merchandise NOT flying off the shelf probably only justifies the thought that legally unwrangling the tied up rights isn't worth the time of WB, Fox and the others, as they have long suspected.

Too bad DC didn't retain rights to this like they did The Adventures of Superman. If so, we'd have had a box set 10 years ago.

Chris

[MIB41]

I think it's a safe assumption that until the principle parties from the show are deceased, we will never see the show on DVD. The fact that Yvonne Craig tried to hold out for better money on the merchandise deal alone was laughable. Clearly attending conventions has warped the cast' sense of street value. But I'm not all that surprised the '66 line only got a modest reaction. It's hard to fathom a 47 year old property becoming a huge merchandising hit when most kids today are into the gaming versions of Batman and don't really loiter in the ME-TV circles. Of course we, the older fans, have great interest. But like Mego figures, the question has always been, "How many of us are there?" I think the best hit in the line has been the Batmobile, but that speaks to car ethusiasts as well as fans of the show. So it has a little more pull than a Batman figure. I'm confident Mattel will probably put out a few more figures. But in classic Mattel fashion, they will likely gouge the collector by making them 'limited editions' only available at the Matty Collector site. Be prepared to pucker up.

[kerowack]

The train is dead at the station. Without the DVD, the attack of the 66 batman stuff really came up short. The mattel figures are decent, but with no accessories and the fanbase appears to be smaller than we all thought. The NECA West has been the high point so far (as well as the print I bought....)

It's a shame because this was one of my two dream lines (the other being a dick tracy line) and it never stood a chance.

[Earth 2 Chris]

As far as I know, the DVD rights are still in limbo. When DC worked out the product licensing rights, folks assumed the DVDs came with them, but it doesn't look to be that way.

Even if WB aired the show on Boomerang, it would help move this stuff along. They espouse corporate synergy, but never seem to promote their home-grown franchises like they should.

Chris

[palitoy]

I haven't read anything about a DVD, is that still a problem?

[EMCE Hammer]

I think the DVD would sell like crazy around the holidays, I totally agree. I spent countless days where I'd watch an episode and then re-enact it with my Megos. I think it would go over just as well today, but they better get going.

[enyawd72]

Looks like sales have slowed way down on the Mattel stuff, and much of the new stuff (Hot Toys, FTC, Moebius Models) is still months away.

They really need to get the show out on DVD to re-engergize interest.