Surf’s Up! Joker’s Under!

Surf’s Up! Joker’s Under! was the Joker’s first appearance in the third season. Although this was the first meeting of Batgirl and the Clown Prince of Crime, there certainly wasn’t much of a confrontation between them. In this story, Batman and Robin, but not Batgirl, were put into a deathtrap. In fact, Batgirl didn’t have much to do in this episode, although we did see more of Barbara Gordon than usual (in more ways than one! ;>)

I have obtained the final draft of the script by Charles Hoffman, dated September 29, 1967. The balance of this Omake will point out several differences between this script and the episode as broadcast. Finally, I’ll point out a surprising bit of trivia.

The first item to notice is the script names two additional Joker henchmen, Soup and Kelp. They were probably cut for budgetary reasons, to be replaced by two nameless goons in the concluding Batfight. Wipeout is not given a closing credit and it sounds to me as if his lines were dubbed. Joel Eisner’s The Official Batman Batbook, however, lists Ron Burke as the actor playing the part. Johnny Green and the Green Men do not appear in the script, but provide a couple of musical interludes during the TV broadcast.

The first page of the script makes clear something I never noticed, but the more observant of you may have:

ANGLE ON BARBARA

in fetching swimwear, sitting in the shade of her surfboard up-ended in the sand. (emphasis added)

Our favorite librarian surfs! (or at least owns a board!)

Sivi Aberg, who played Mimi in the second season Chandell story, returns to Batman. Later in the teaser, Skip Parker, in answer to Barbara’s question (“Who was that?”) says, “Some chick who’s been hanging around the beach. I think her name’s Undine.” On TV Skip continues to say to Babs, “See you later,” but in the script Barbara has the next line.

A few points about the scene in the Batcave. First, in the script Batman refers to “bare” feet, but in the broadcast episode Adam West seems to delight in saying, “naked feet.”

Next, as shown, this is the last time we see Alfred in the story. As you will see, that is definitely not the case in the script. Maybe it was decided to keep Alfred and the Joker apart for awhile; maybe Alan Napier was unavailable for some reason; or maybe it was decided for budgetary or other reasons to forgo Alfred in the rest of this episode.

Anyway, after the Batmobile roars out of the Batcave, the script has Alfred declare, for a second time:

Batman lost a couple of lines just before the commercial, after Robin comments on the deathtrap with, “Holy human surfboards!”

INT. LIBRARY - DAY

ANGLE WITH Barbara and Skip, at librarians’ counter. Skip is still dressed as a surfer.

INT. SECRET BATGIRL ROOM - DAY

STRAIGHT CUT TO:

EXT. BATGIRL’S ALLEY ENTRANCE THROUGH BRICK WALL - DAY (STOCK)

STRAIGHT CUT TO:

EXT. BATMOBILE IN TRANSIT - DAY (STOCK) with Batman alone at wheel.

EXT. DICK AND ALFRED IN DICK’S TOP-DOWN CAR - DAY (PROCESS)

INT. THE HANG FIVE SURFERS’ HANGOUT - DAY

Then Batman has a speech just before the dialogue heard on TV:

Even caped and cowled, and on his surfboard, it is obvious this annoys him.

giving everything he has to winning the contest.

ANGLE WITH COMMISSIONER GORDON AND CHIEF O’HARA ON BEACH

where Chief O’Hara now gapes toward surf as Commissioner Gordon’s attention has been attracted to the trash can.

Suddenly their musical number terminates, as:

Completely under control now, he glides beachward on a diminishing wave.

EXT. JOKER ON SURFBOARD - DAY (PROCESS)

His exhultation (sic) gives way to concern as he hits the slow water and starts wobbling on his board.

RESUME - FULL ACTION ON BEACH

FAVORING Dick and Skip, Skip turning to Undine and stooges angrily.

PICKING UP Batman and Joker, their ride over, carrying their surfboards as they start up the beach.

Instead of “Cowabunga! Begorra,” ending this version, here is how the script to Surf’s Up! Joker’s Under! concludes:

from which Bruce and Dick ENTER

beginning an exhilerating (sic) ride down a wave in a most professional manner.

Finally, take a look at the Wikipedia Article on the World Surfing Championships.

Notice there is no World Surfing Champion listed for 1967.

You don't suppose . . .