Joker (Adam West Batman)

"A joke a day keeps the gloom away!"

- Joker

The Joker is the main antagonist in the 1960s TV show Batman and the 1966 film.

He was portrayed by the late Cesar Romero, who also played A.J. Arno from The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes.

The Joker (1960s Batman TV Show)
This version of the Joker wasn't the murderous psychopath of the comics, but a goofy prankster who relied on harmless weapons (sneezing powder-squirting flowers, non-lethal joy buzzers, etc) and Vaudeville-type humor to commit his crimes. One of his first goals was to unmask Batman and publicly expose his nemesis' identity. Some of his crimes were for little more than his own harmless amusement, while others were far more dangerous.

In the film, Joker teamed up with Penguin, Catwoman and Riddler to form the United Underworld, to disband the United Nations. His role in the Combination Trap (that was devised by the Riddler) was the Jack-in-the-Box to send Batman flying toward the Penguin's exploding octopus; however, one of the unnamed thugs fell onto the jack in the box and was killed by the exploding octopus. The four super criminals managed to dehydrate the nine members of the United World Security Council and take them to the submarine, however Batman and Robin draw it to the surface, where the Dynamic Duo fight the United Underworld. After taking several beatings from Batman, Robin fights the Joker and defeats him by punching him over the edge, into the water. He is captured along with the other criminals when Batman and Robin chain them to the side of the submarine and Batman calls the coast guard where the police can take them to prison.

His many schemes after this included committing crimes based on the signs of Zodiac, stealing the famous Renaissance art collection for ransom and trying to take over Gotham City with a flying saucer. He can also easily persuade women to help him in his crimes with his charm and wits.

Even though Batman defeated him many times, the Joker vowed never to rest until the last laugh was his.

Trivia

 * Romero refused to shave his mustache for the part, resulting in the distinctive look of his very visible facial hair covered in white makeup.
 * The Joker's appearance resembles his appearance from the Golden Age comics.