By Matthew Bridgestone
It is well-known that the Joker was an aspiring comedian who failed and spiraled into insanity. Well, did you know that Batman was a comedian too? Well, sort of. Adam West brought charm and campy levity to the role of the caped crusader. Christian Bale and Robert Pattinson had a darker take on the Batman character, which played for good reviews. However, superheroes were created to inspire children. Watching Bale’s and Pattinson’s Batman movies at an early age can be more traumatic than inspirational. “The Flash” marks the return of Michael Keaton as Batman. Many consider him to be the greatest Batman of all time because he was able to find the perfect balance between light and dark. Keaton does not do cheesy dances like Adam West’s “Batusi” dance. Nor does he give us an overly emotional Batman, complete with a tortured soul and running mascara. His comedic moments are subtle, like his dinner at Wayne Mansion with Vicky Vale where they try to have dinner conversation across a giant 25-foot table. In a hilarious moment, Vicky asks him to “please pass the salt,” as Keaton must walk the entire distance of the table to deliver it. When we see him alone in the Bat Cave studying his TV screens while wearing glasses, we know he means business. However, we are not scrambling to cover our children’s eyes to prevent nightmares.
How was Michale Keaton able to find that perfect note of a superhero we can take seriously without being too serious himself? Well, it goes back to the fact that Keaton broke into the entertainment business as a stand-up comic. In the early 1980s, he was known by his real name Michael Douglass. Being that there was already a famous actor with that same name, he picked up a phone book, opened it up, and pointed his finger to the last name of Keaton and kept it ever since. His time as a stand-up comedian lasted about two years. He was regarded as a strong up-and-coming comic with potential. This came at a time when he was competing with acts such as Richard Pryor, David Letterman, and Robin Williams. Recognizing that their comedic talent was superior to his, Keaton was faced with fighting an uphill battle. His feeling was that he was also interested in acting, and to be great at that he would need to fully commit. He gave up stand-up, and the rest is history. You can also see his great comedic abilities in movies such as Beetlejuice, Mr. Mom, Night Shift, and many more. Ultimately, Michael Keaton made a smart choice as he has become an award-winning, Oscar-nominated A-list actor. You never know, though. Had he decided to remain in comedy, he might have become a frustrated failure who dyed his hair green and turned to a life of crime.
See Matt doing stand-up comedy every week by visiting www.Acjokes.com.
