The Further Adventures of Batman (25 page)

The impostor lay on his back, his blue silk cape rayed out under him. The missing jewels lay by his side, jarred out of his pocket in the fall.

Again, Wayne had the uncomfortable sensation of looking at himself, dead. His head swam strangely. He felt a chill.

I’m alive, he told himself fiercely. I’m Batman, and I’m alive.

Taking hold of the blue silk mask, Wayne yanked it upward. For one eerie moment, he almost expected to see his own face revealed. The face behind the mask was sharply featured, though, with high cheekbones and sandy hair. It didn’t even remotely look like him.

But the suit was a good copy.

Straightening up, Wayne lifted his head toward the stairs where his aunt lay and blew her a kiss.

Then he picked up the phone and called the police.

The Batman Memos

Stuart M. Kaminsky

MEMO FROM: David O. Selznick

TO: All Executives, Selznick International Studios

DATE: December 14, 1942

Follow-up projects to
Gone With the Wind
and
Rebecca
are moving much too slowly. Submit reports immediately on status of projects. Did we ever get the copyright on
Mein Kampf
? What about the ghost novel? Is Ben Hecht wrapped up? And what about the Batman story discussed at the Friday meeting? Is there something there? Is it a hoax? Harry, what about the rights? Is Walter back from Gotham City? Did he bring the clips? Ed thinks Errol Flynn would be willing to play Batman, but it would take a trade with Warners and they might want too much. Let’s get some action on this one before MGM picks up on it. Fleming says he would consider directing but I think it’s more a Woody Van Dyke project, which means another deal with MGM. Ivan, where is the report on Joan Teel? Have your people found her? We have four more weeks of shooting on the Leslie Howard movie. Jess tells me she has two more scenes that can be shot on the last day. If you don’t turn her up, we’ll have to have a fast rewrite. Has anyone gone to the police with this? Ivan, if you don’t turn her up by the 6th, go to Murchison in the Los Angeles Police Department and ask him to make some discreet inquiries. Or should it be discreet? What does publicity think about letting the information get to the press? Good promo for the Howard movie? Bad taste? Feedback on this one. What’s going on with Phyllis Walker name change?

MEMO TO: David O. Selznick

FROM: Walter Schlect, Story Development and Rights

DATE: December 17, 1942

Batman is the real thing. I interviewed Gotham City’s Police Commissioner Gordon, who’s high on the guy and suggested I talk to Bruce Wayne, one of the town’s social and business leaders. Wayne is into textiles, construction. Inherited a bundle and keeps his investments local. Wayne’s a little stuffy, lives with a kid about sixteen whom he calls his “ward.” Setup seems odd to me but so does the whole setup in Gotham. Wayne claims to be able to make contact with Batman and says he can get Batman to let Wayne represent him. Wayne didn’t seem too interested in the whole deal but he said he’d be willing to talk. I’ve attached some newspaper pictures of Batman and his kid sidekick, Robin. We’ve got nothing in color but I’ve had Sheila in art fill in. I’ve also asked Dr. Benjamin Pinesett at U.C.L.A. to send you a psychological profile on Batman based on the clips and interviews attached. I billed the trip and profile to my department. A copy of the billing report is attached.

MEMO TO: David O. Selznick

FROM: Ivan O’Connor, Security

DATE: January 3, 1943

Nothing to report on Joan Teel. Check of her apartment indicates she hasn’t moved out. Clothes are still in the closets. Food in the refrigerator. I’ve talked to Lieutenant Murchison of the Los Angeles Police Department as you requested. He is making inquiries.

MEMO TO: David O. Selznick

FROM: Benjamin Pinesett, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Psychiatry,
The University of California, Los Angeles

DATE: January 4, 1943

At the request of Mr. Walter Schlect of your story department and based upon (a) biographical information provided by Mr. Schlect, (b) newspaper and magazine clippings also supplied by Mr. Schlect, (c) photographs, and (d) interview transcripts provided by Mr. Schlect, I can draw some tentative, but only very tentative, conclusions about Batman. I would be happy to interview Batman if and when he is available for a more conclusive study at my usual fee. As you will note, the bill enclosed takes into account that Mr. Schlect informed me that the report was needed urgently and his insistence that the report be no more than three pages. I therefore worked on it over the New Year weekend. I will also include a few observations concerning the disappearance of Joan Teel, which Mr. Schlect also mentioned to me and for which he supplied me with studio biographical information and a private investigator’s report.

It is my opinion about Batman that we are dealing with a case of infantile fixation combined with a Messianic complex. The two often accompany each other as your experience and mine with actors will bear out. Whoever this man is he is fulfilled only by wearing a Halloween costume. Fortunately, this need to hide his identity behind a costume is combined with a belief that his intervention is necessary to protect the city of Gotham from criminals. I say “fortunately” because under other circumstances such a man might well become a transvestite or join the Ku Klux Klan or, to put a better light on the situation, he might join an institution or organization that would allow him to wear a uniform—the police, the postal service, hospital service. However, such institutions would not allow him to preserve his identity. That the man is, in lay terms, mentally disturbed is self evident. What disturbs me even more is that the entire community of Gotham City including the Police Commissioner has embraced and supported this delusion, allowing “Batman” to not only feel that he is above the law but give him structured support for such a delusion. It is possible that such an unstable personality will eventually lose the distinction between right and wrong. Untreated and unchecked I would say institutionalization is inevitable. What disturbs me even more is that he has enlisted a young man in his delusion. The damage may already be great for the young man.

Note that Batman is garbed in the dark vesture of a bat, a night creature. Note the shape of the costume, the cowl as helmet, the dark phallic imagery is undeniable. In contrast, Robin is identified with a vulnerable bird, a bird of light hues. The relationship is dangerous.

My recommendation is to enter into no negotiations or correspondence with this man other than to suggest that he seek professional consultation which, I am sure at this point, he will not seek.

As for the Joan Teel situation, I’d suggest you place a call to her parents’ home in Dixon, Illinois. It is not unusual for a 20-year-old girl in her first pressure situation—a 20-year-old girl who has been nurtured, supported, and given awards and prizes by parents and those surrounding her in a small, isolated community—to find the pressure too great and simply return to the “womb.”

MEMO FROM: David O. Selznick

TO: Walter Schlect, Story Development and Rights

DATE: January 7, 1943

Our boys are dying around the world. I think they could use a Messianic hero. The whole country can use one and F.D.R., while he fills the emotional need, doesn’t address the physical. I’ve called Bruce Wayne in Gotham City and said the same thing to him. I think I’ve persuaded him and he is willing to make the trip to Los Angeles to discuss the project and to bring with him a letter of consent from Batman. Wayne has even indicated an interest in investing in the project and serving as consultant. Danny has talked to Errol Flynn. He is
definitely
interested. I’m not sure what our alternatives would be. Gable is an Army private. Ty Power is a Marine private. Hank Fonda is a sailor, and Van Heflin has just been drafted.

MEMO TO: David O. Selznick

FROM: Ivan O’Connor, Security

DATE: January 7, 1943

Joan Teel did not return to Illinois. Dead end here. Lieutenant Murchison of L.A. police is checking girlfriends, boyfriends. So far, nothing. Might turn into a touchy one. Check of unidentified DOAs and hospitals has also turned up nothing.

MEMO TO: David O. Selznick

FROM: Harlan Turkbekian; Turbekian, Zimmer and Kitt,
Attorneys

DATE: January 8, 1943

We’ll have to move cautiously on this one. I’m not sure the signature “Batman” on a contract will be legally binding since, we assume, Batman has another, legal identity. We have done our own profile on Bruce Wayne of Gotham City. He is, indeed, a man of both substance and, apparently, integrity. In spite of his considerable business interests, there has never been a major suit brought against him or any of his companies. If Bruce Wayne is willing to sign a contract or letter of indemnification holding him responsible should “Batman” bring suit or contest any movie, book, play, or story based on his exploits, we feel it safe and reasonable to proceed. It is also my opinion that in case of litigation Selznick International could claim that Batman’s exploits are in the public domain. In that case, however, you might be compelled to present a past exploit of Batman drawn from newspaper and other accounts rather than create a fictional tale. Ross Zimmer and I will both be available after Friday for further discussion on this.

As for the Joan Teel situation, her departure, whether by her choice, “act of God,” or circumstances beyond her control, releases Selznick International from any financial obligation should you decide to replace her or alter your working script. The situation is much the same as the Warner Brothers/Bette Davis case last year.

MEMO FROM: David O. Selznick

TO: Myron Selznick

DATE: January 10, 1943

Proceed with Flynn negotiations for Batman picture. I’ve just met with Bruce Wayne. Like most successful businessmen he has eyes like our father. He looks as if he has a secret that puts him one up on the rest of the world. That’s fine with me. He brought a letter of release from Batman that I have sent to Turbekian. One sticky point. Wayne wants script approval for Batman. I don’t like it but I don’t see how we can get around it. I think we can live with it. Let’s see if we can get Ben Hecht on a treatment and script right away. Keep the cost down in case we can’t get script approval from Wayne and have to pull out. This means no signing for Flynn though talk seriously to him. How about Thomas Mitchell to play the police commissioner? Villains: Alan Hale, Basil Rathbone? Love interest—this is a sticky one. Who does Flynn want to work with? We don’t need a big one but I’d still like Lana Turner, Ida Lupino, or Phyllis Walker. How about Jennifer Jones as the new name for Walker?

I’ve got a favor to ask. Can you find a spot for Alice Feigner in your office? She’s a good worker, fast typist but less than brilliant. She burst in when Bruce Wayne was in my office and said there was a call on the phone from someone who claimed to have kidnapped Joan Teel. Whoever it was hung up before I could pick up the call. I had to tell Wayne about the situation. He seemed interested but we went on with the negotiations. Nothing was lost but I’d appreciate finding a less sensitive position for Alice.

MEMO FROM: David O. Selznick

TO: Ivan O’Connor, Security

DATE: January 14, 1943

The Teel situation is getting out of hand. As you know, I’ve had two calls from a man who claims to have kidnapped Joan Teel. A woman did come on the line weeping and claiming to be Teel. I couldn’t tell if it was Teel. Since talking to you I’ve discussed the situation with our attorneys. There are several possibilities here. Teel may be a part of this attempt to extort money from us. It isn’t likely but we both know situations in which normally decent people have been tempted by love, sex, or confusion to do things they wouldn’t normally do. That’s the basic plot of half of the pictures Warner Brothers makes. If the threat is legitimate, it’s from someone who doesn’t know the picture business. He seems to think we’ll lose millions on the Howard picture if she doesn’t come back to it. I did not disillusion him. He wants $150,000. I see no alternative but to pay it. You are at liberty to discuss this with Lieutenant Murchison and get back to me this afternoon. If I’m in conference, give me a memo.

One more point. Let’s dispense with the services of Dr. Pinesett. His fees are too high and his advice is about as far off as Tojo is from Washington.

Letter to David O. Selznick

From Bruce Wayne, The Beverly Hills Hotel

January 15, 1943

Dear Mr. Selznick:

It was a pleasure meeting you. As I told you, I admire your work and am particularly fond of
Gone With the Wind
. Your invitation to have me meet Miss DeHavilland was and is most gracious. I’ve decided to remain in the Los Angeles area for a while on business. You can reach me here. There is a chance that Batman will be joining me briefly. I mentioned the missing young actress to him and he, as do I, felt great concern and offered his services should they be needed.