Ménage Á Pop is a three times a week intimate discussion between two people and a piece of pop culture.
June 23rd 1989 was emblazoned across every billboard, magazine and marquee of its time. It was the date when auteur Tim Burton would finally unleash his gothic opera to the world. There would be expressionist visuals, art deco sets and a vehicle that got a standing ovation even though we already owned the poster. All of this was heralded by an inescapable symbol, gold in its background and grim in it's bat-shape. So then how did super-fan Brian Stampnitsky find himself strangely disappointed by the summertime blockbuster release of BATMAN.
Today’s guest, BRIAN STAMPNITSKY is a writer for television whose credits include the 2017 ABC drama STILL STAR-CROSSED. Follow him on INSTAGRAM @bstampy and marvel at a full month of his outerwear @30days30shirts.
POP NOTES
Released on June 23rd 1989, BATMAN broke all opening day, weekend and second week box office records (first set by INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE in May and then reset by GHOSTBUSTER 2 the week before). It went on to become the 6th highest grossing film in movie history at the time of its release.
Producer Michael Uslan first gained the cinematic rights to BATMAN shortly after the release of 1978’s SUPERMAN. His proposal was for a gritty film that returned Batman to his dark roots. Despite the blockbuster numbers of SUPERMAN, studios were nervous about this serious take and, following the perceived failure of 1982’s ANNIE, were less inclined to back any comic based property.
Soon-to-be legendary producers Jon Peters and Peter Guber came aboard the project with an intended release date of 1985 based on a screenplay by Tom Mankiewicz that would have told the origin story of both Batman AND Robin.
While Tim Burton came aboard the project in 1986, the film wasn’t given an official green-light until after the success of his 1988 horror comedy BEETLEJUICE. .
Throughout the film’s decade-long development, numerous actors were considered for the lead including Bill Murray, Harrison Ford, Alec Baldwin, Mel Gibson and Charlie Sheen.
As a life-long comic book fan, comedian Robin Williams campaigned to play The Joker. By that point of its production, the studio wanted Jack Nicholson, feeling a name star would help the box office. Jack Nicholson was hesitant, leading to a leaked announcement that Robin Williams had the role. This may have been an intentional ploy to sway Jack Nicholson as, shortly thereafter, he agreed to the role that earned him a rumored $90 million payday (once adjusted for gross points and merchandising).
Six months following its theatrical release, BATMAN became one of the first big screen blockbusters to be immediately released for home sales.
BATMAN won a 1990 Academy award for Best Art And Set Direction thanks to the hellish landscapes designed by Peter Young and the late Anton Furst.
An early soundtrack proposal would have found musician Prince writing songs for The Joker and Michael Jackson writing songs for Batman. This concept was adjusted to a proper orchestral score by Oingo Boingo frontman Danny Elfman and a selection of themed songs by the aforementioned Prince.
Danny Elfman’s iconic score has been adapted into the main theme for 1992’ BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES as well as a selective music cues in 2017’s JUSTICE LEAGUE.
Tune back next Monday when Chris Balzano (paranormal researcher and host of TRIPPING ON LEGENDS ) gets motion sickness from the last great horror film of the 20th century, THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT.
This episode of MÉNAGE Á POP was recorded by CAST, an online audio platform that lets you create and record a multi-guest podcast straight from your web-browser. It was then mastered by AUPHONIC, a web-based post-production service. Check out both sights for trial and subscription information.
MUSIC FEATURED IN TODAY’S EPISODE:
“Three Ways To Do That” (opening theme) composed and performed by The Madeline Prior. All rights reserved with Not A Holograms podcasts.
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