The Batman is by far the darkest depiction of the Caped Crusader on the big screen yet. Batman has never been more bloodthirsty, the GD has never been so corrupt, and Gotham has never been more Gothic. And that's why it's so fascinating that there are tons of Easter eggs and homages to the 1960s TV series and the 1966 movie.
It's no secret that director Matt Reeves holds the 1960s Batman close to his heart. In an interview with Esquire, the director explained that the show and movie were a huge influence on him, so it's no surprise that he brought back shelved ideas like the Batphone and Batrope.
Using The Bat-Rope
One of the most memorable shots from Batman '66, partly because it was way overused and has been parodied to no end, is Batman and Robin slowly traver the side of a building using the Bat-rope. Hilariously, in the new movie, Batman uses the gadget to run down the side of a building after interrogating William McKenzie where the Bat-signal sits.
It's one of the best scenes that won't get talked about enough, as it perfectly showcases the dichotomy between Batman and Catwoman. But it's also great because of the subtle reference to the '60s series, which few newer fans will have picked up on.
The Batphone
Just like the Batcomputer, the Batphone is another iconic prop for the Adam West-led series. In the 1960s show and movie, the Batphone was bright red and had one button, which connected only with Commissioner Gordon. The phone hasn't been used in any non-animated Batman series or movies since, until now.
The phone made a return when Batman was trying to Alfred before the bomb went off in Wayne Tower. However, it seems like there are now four lines instead of one, and instead of being bright red, it's a much more subtle black. Hopefully, Gordon and Batman are seen communicating with the phone in the sequel.
"Hi Diddle Riddle"
The memorial sequence where Gil Colson has a bomb strapped around his neck is one of the best Riddler scenes in The Batman, and it showed just how much of a threat he really was. But the beginning of the scene is a secret, fun reference just as much as it is setting the dark tone for what's to come. As Bruce exits his vehicle, he walks along the building held up by huge pillars, and there are police cars parked along the side.
The shot is eerily reminiscent of the establishing shot for the Batman episode "Hi Diddle Riddle," the very first episode of the 1960s TV series. In fact, the two shots are almost identical, and given the importance of the episode and that it's a Riddler-based episode, it can only be a homage. The beginning of the episode even features an explosion in that very building, just like in the movie.
The Batcomputer
One thing that sets The Batman apart from all of the other movie depictions of the character is the way that he actually solves crimes and does detective work. He really earns the moniker of "the world's greatest detective," and it's why this depiction of the Caped Crusader is the definitive version of Batman. But Bruce wouldn't have solved half of the Riddler's clues if it wasn't for his trusty Batcomputer.
The Batcomputer is a staple of the 1960s series and movie, but it has rarely been used in the franchise since except for in Batman: The Animated Series. However, not only does The Batman see the return of the Batcomputer, but with its red dots and old-looking tech, but it looks a lot like the 1960s version too, only a lot more advanced.
The Shakespeare Bust
The Shakespeare bust is one of the most iconic props from the 1960s series and movie. Sitting on a desk in the manor, Shakespeare's head lifts from his neck, revealing a button that if pressed will trigger the opening to the entrance of the Batcave.
Unfortunately, unlike the Batphone and Batcomputer, the Shakespeare bust wasn't physically used, and it was simply sitting in the background of Wayne Tower, and it's nothing more than an Easter egg. However, it was sitting in close vicinity to the Batphone, just as it does in the 1960s series, so it could potentially be used in The Batman 2.
The Villains
Usually, when it's announced that a superhero movie will have too many villains, it's cause for concern and a pretty clear indication that it won't be that great. The most obvious examples of that are X-Men: The Last Stand.
However, though it might be because Reeves had three hours to give them all space, it's pulled off brilliantly in The Batman, as it features the Penguin, the Riddler, Catwoman, and even the Joker. But funnily enough, that's the exact same supervillain lineup as seen in Batman '66. Though the Batman '66, they are still massively theatrical and goofy, so it's surprising that Reeves took so much inspiration from it for his dark and gritty reboot.
Dory/Aunt Harriet
In what is one of the deeper cuts from the 1960s Batman, Dory, the woman who answers the Batphone to Bruce Wayne, is clearly based on Aunt Harriet. Aunt Harriet is Bruce Wayne's housekeeper and Robin's paternal aunt. She doesn't have much of a role in the 1966 movie, but she is seemingly always around Wayne Manor, just as Dory is always around Wayne Tower.
The two characters also have an uncanny resemblance and the same dress sense. Reeves must have chosen not to name her Aunt Harriet because Robin doesn't exist in the world, at least not yet anyway. Dory only has a very brief scene in the movie, but it'd be interesting to see how her role at Wayne Tower works in a sequel.
