Feature here
http://www.batman-online.com/features/2008/7/26/classic-monsters-references-in-burtons-batman
Another thing that not many people notice is when Thr Joker and Vicki reach the top of the cathedral, just before they actually enter the bell tower, you can see Nicholson impersonating some kind of zombie/classic monster behind Vicki!!! lol
Look out for it!
^ That and Robert Whul did say that Burton and Peters came up with the bell tower ending after seeing The Phantom of the Opera musical.
While I don't really see the similarities between the musical and the bell tower sequence, I think there definitely is an influence of the character.
Great thread, ZUPERZERO.
The Robert Wuhl comment is a little misleading. Even in the first draft of the script, Batman and the Joker faced off in the Bell Tower, but until Peters and Nicholson saw Phantom of the Opera, there was no kidnap of Vicki - she was busy attending to Dick Grayson (tranquilised by Batman) at the Cathedral steps. Only after did they decide that Joker should take Vale to the Bell tower with him (in the same way that the Phantom kidnaps Cristine).
I don't know if this was intended or not but during the masquerade in Returns there is someone dressed up as the red death (on the staircase when Selina enters).
Could be a subtle nod to Phantom of the Opera.
Quote from: PJ on Tue, 22 Jul 2008, 08:56
The Robert Wuhl comment is a little misleading. Even in the first draft of the script, Batman and the Joker faced off in the Bell Tower, but until Peters and Nicholson saw Phantom of the Opera, there was no kidnap of Vicki - she was busy attending to Dick Grayson (tranquilised by Batman) at the Cathedral steps. Only after did they decide that Joker should take Vale to the Bell tower with him (in the same way that the Phantom kidnaps Cristine).
Thanks for clearing that up, PJ :)
its updated and ready
i love this!
(https://www.batman-online.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.batmanmovieonline.com%2Fgallery%2F1217069723.jpg&hash=a1256870ee55ccb8e41357dd3626e87c91316da6)
interesting :)
An informative read, ZuperZero. One nitpick, however... While you're right that both movies share a 'beauty and the beast' line, they're actually quoted like this:
Joker: It's as though we were made for each other... Beauty and the Beast. Of course, if anyone else calls you beast, I'll rip their lungs out.
Penguin: You're Beauty and the Beast in one luscious Christmas gift pack.
Unless, of course, that's how your quotations came out in the spanish version(considering where you came from).
Yeah.. plenty of visual references to German Expressionism (1910s-1920s)/Classic horror (1930s-1940s). Which is appropriate, since Batman is partly inspired by The Bat/The Bat Whispers and Joker by The Man Who Laughs. Catwoman is based off Hedy Lamarr/Jean Harlowe (1930s film stars). So it's appropriate to base it off stuff from that period.
Alright, there's big one I just picked up on. This one's from Batman Returns, and it's a reference to 1925's Phantom of the Opera. In the movie, The Phantom attends a ball dressed as the Red Death. During Max Shreck's masquerade, someone is also dressed as the Red Death, in the same position at the top of a stairway. In Returns, however, the Red Death moves out of the way to reveal Selina Kyle. Some subtle foreshadowing in there for the eagle-eyed fan. I'll get some screenshots in to add it to the article.
Here's the image.
(https://www.batman-online.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.tinypic.com%2F24v0ec2.jpg&hash=1c1fb75e65eb31ad369f9781af2e569f4d51aef1)
I'll also try to share a new version of the image comparing the Vampire and the Penguin; that could really benefit from a different font choice.