Julie Newmar.
Today marks 55 years since her re-emergence
After an absence of 12 years, Catwoman finally made her way back to the world of Gotham City when she made her first appearance on the 1966 Batman television series. When the decision was made to cast her, Suzanne Pleshette was the performer chosen. However, she ended up declining the role, and it would go to Julie Newmar, herself a seasoned performer.
And Catwoman certainly made her mark!!!
We were there those March nights (the 16th and 17th) in 1966 when she would torment the Dynamic Duo, and we also were taken aback at the end, when she supposedly fell to her death. However, Catwoman here apparently had nine lives, and would return the following September. But she clearly made an impact!
Interestingly enough, the Dynamic Duo made reference to the Feline Fatale (in passing) on 9 February 1966, in the “Zelda The Great” episode. It’s an easy line to overlook. But as stated, she had been absent from the comics for the prior 12 years due to a crackdown on the comics that was devastating. Because of the crackdown, Batwoman was created in 1956 as a response to Catwoman’s absence.
Catwoman herself would not re-emerge in the comics until fall 1966, and in a Lois Lane comic (and a good story, too!). The Feline Fatale would soon be in the various Batman comics again, where she has remained to this day.
