Photo of Batman & Robin playing pool

[danbar]

Does anyone have any info/background on this photo?

It was listed recently on Ebay as a photo of Burt Ward & Adam West playing pool. If this is really them, I can't believe I haven't seen it before. If it is not them, the likeness / costumes seem incredible.

If this is not them, who is it? When was this done and why?
If this is them, does anyone know what was going on here? Went to a pool hall and took a publicity photo? Seems unlikely. Also seems unlikely they would be playing pool in full costume with masks/cowls.

Really has me curious. I will appreciate any knowledge you have about this.

[AndyFish]

Doesn't look like either of them to me. My guess is some kind of advertising photo.

[Chuck Williams]

https://aadl.org/N036_1164_003

[A. Pennyworth]

So in Feb. 1966 how did these college kids get access to authentic looking real costumes?

Chuck, is that black belt clip thing something that you've seen used on the originals?

[Jimmy L. 66]

This is a great pic and a fabulous mystery. I was going to ask about the belt, the gloves look closer to the ones Burt wore in the pilot. That cowls looks pretty impressive for an imposter, right after the show premiered, could it be screen used?

[Chuck Williams]

Yep, those look to be screen used costumes!
The black hook on the vest was to keep the belt positioned on Burt. You can see it here behind the last "brass" rod.
Screen test gloves.
My guess is just publicity for the show on campus. Maybe even more than one!
Almost like the first Mr. Freeze episode!

[Jim Beard]

Maybe ask Burt if he recalls this?

Jim

[Ben Bentley]

I've always been intrigued by this image, so here is the context I eventually found:

Originally published by Ann Arbor News, Feb 2nd, 1966.
https://aadl.org/N036_1164_003

"Batman Battles With Billiard Balls?: Has Batman, the arch enemy of crime and the epitome of good, become a pool hall devotee? Rest easy, friends. The Batman pictured here is an imposter--he's Danny Syme, a University junior majoring in psychology. His side-kick, Robin the boy wonder, is Gordon Shlom, a junior pre-medical student. The students are wearing the "official" costumes of the famous crime-fighting duo in connection with the U-M Winter Weekend. The imposters paused from their busy schedule for some pool at the Michigan Union, although they chose a billiard table."

Here's a higher res version sans watermark:

So that accounts for the "who" and the "where" but as to "how" they got a hold of screen used costumes in Michigan of all places whilst Season One was still in production is still unclear.

I do however remain confused to this day by the lack of corner pockets in that pool table...

[A. Pennyworth]

missed that detail on the no-pockets. Billiard table ...
https://indoorgamebunker.com/why-do-som ... o-pockets/

[cdub]

Do Batman's gloves go all the way to his shoulder?

[Chuck Williams]

No, they stop where they should. The nylon leotard/tights have a sheen in certain angles.

Looks like a pilot cowl paint job too. If we could see the ear attachment, we could be sure.

[AndyFish]

I don't know, it looks like the glove goes all the way up his arm when you look closer.

[A. Pennyworth]

I thought that too at first about the gloves being all the way to the shoulder, but you can see the end of the glove here.

[A. Pennyworth]

could these two be the Dynamic Duo?

Both Michigan grads, 1967/1968, and their majors seem to fit!

https://kevinssong.org/speaker/rabbi-daniel-b-syme/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shlomfamilydentist

[Ben Bentley]

https://aadl.org/N036_1164_003

My bad, Chuck... I totally whizzed by the link you had already