I was not alive when the Batman television series debuted in 1966, and only an infant when it went off the air a little over two years later. I did, however, watch many reruns of the show when I was growing up. And, I remember even as a kid having a very strong opinion about the subject of this week’s Who Did it Best?
Catwoman:
Julie Newmar was the first Catwoman, playing the feline felon on the show from 1966-1967.
Eartha Kitt was the purrrrrrrfect replacement for Newmar who was not available for the third season of the show.
And just to make things interesting:
Michelle Pfeiffer played Catwoman in the 1992 motion picture Batman Returns.
While you think about it, I offer you this, because it made me laugh, and is kind of sorta related:
So, who do you think was the best Catwoman? Julie Newmar, Eartha Kitt or Michelle Pfeiffer? Feel free to also vote for the pugs.
Julie Newmar fueled many an adolescent fantasy, and Eartha Kitt had the “purring” down pat, but I gotta go with Michelle Pfeiffer. Much better acting chops, and she did mesmerizing work with the tortured secret identity (alongside an underrated Michael Keaton). Meow. I just wish the writing had been stronger in that second Batman.
Without a good reason, just exercising my right to vote, I will cast for Newmar.
Glad you did not include Halle Berry. Nothing against her, but without Batman the character is incomplete/
Eartha Kitt. Paws down.
Love the quick votes!
Very interesting, three votes, three different answers… Am thinking this could be used in place of Rorschach test! I may have stumbled onto an entirely new way to psychoanalyze!
No question! Eartha Kitt!!
Your vote plus two I got via Twitter, puts Eartha way out front.
Julie Newmar was cute and had a devilish sparkle in her eye, but I can’t ever think of Catwoman without hearing the exotic Eartha purrrrrr. She’s my fave.
As for Ms. Pfeiffer… her “meow” made me “meh”.
I saw Eartha Kitt perform her one woman show in Atlanta many years ago, she was fantastic! She talked in between songs about her life. Wish I could remember more about what she said about playing Catwoman, I know she discussed it, just can’t remember what she said!
Another vote without an explanation. I say Michelle Pfeiffer.
No explanation needed. Just easier to psychoanalyze if you include one…
The PUG for sure (since I’m a Pug Mama and all)…although Eartha was really good!
As a Pug mama myself, I completely understand.
Julie Newmar was HOT!
And just when I thought Eartha was going to run away with this… a vote for Julie.
Michelle was good – but lacking. I remember Eartha and Julie from the reruns, I think I liked Eartha best.
Thanks for the vote! I agree with your assessment of Michelle.
Julie Newmar. There was something catty about her.
But Eartha had was a more gritty kitty.
Michelle P. not even in their league Cat Woman-wise.
Gritty and sassy.
I found your blog and although I grew up in Paris, and then the U.K., I didn’t get as much U.S. TV as others. I liked the pug’s voice. At first I thought it was a chicken sound, until they merged it with Batman. Very funny.
Thanks for reading Gutsy, glad you found the blog!
I agree, the pug is very funny.
Julie Newmar by far !