A BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE to screendom’s original Catwoman, who is turning 93… By PAUL KUPPERBERG Back in 2018, actress Julie Newmar — born 93 years ago, on August 16, 1933 — reached out to me on Facebook to say she enjoyed my essay on the Batman TV show in Gotham City 14 Miles: 14 Essays on Why the 1960s Batman TV Series Matters, edited by fellow 13th Dimension inmate Jim Beard, and to ask if I might be able to recommend a writer to work with her on developing her memoir. It should come as no surprise that the first name that popped into my head was my own. As a test, we decided I would write the chapter about her time as Catwoman, the role she’s best known for by generations of TV viewers. Others would portray Batman’s feline adversary over the years — in comics, animation, television, and film — but it was Newmar who first established the character’s live-action identity in the minds of millions during ABC’s Batman television series in 1966 and 1967. By the time she donned Catwoman’s black costume, Newmar had already built a successful career as a dancer, actress, and stage performer. Her credits included Broadway productions, feature films, and television appearances that showcased her versatility and physical presence, including The Band Wagon, L’il Abner, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, The Twilight Zone, and a Golden Globe-nominated role starring in TV’s My Living Doll with Bob Cummings. Those talents proved well suited to Batman, a series that balanced superhero adventure with comedy, pop art, and self-aware performances. Newmar appeared in 13 episodes during the show’s first two seasons, developing a version of Catwoman that combined intelligence, confidence, wit, and playful flirtation. Her encounters with Adam West’s Batman became a recurring highlight of the series, built as much on verbal sparring and mutual respect as on elaborate schemes to outwit the Dynamic Duo. Rather than portraying Catwoman as simply another costumed criminal, Newmar gave the character a distinct personality that helped distinguish her from Batman’s other adversaries. Although she was unable to appear in the 1966 Batman movie (with Lee Meriwether stepping in) or the third season (the role passed to Eartha Kitt), Newmar’s interpretation remained closely identified with the character. Her performance also influenced later portrayals of Catwoman, with many emphasizing the same...