On August 17, Yvonne Joyce Craig, better known as TV’s Batgirl from the 1960’s campy “Batman” show, passed away at the age of 78 at her home in Pacific Palisades, CA.

Ms. Craig joined “Batman” in its third and final year (1967-1968), playing Barbara ‘Batgirl’ Gordon, the daughter of Commissioner James Gordon.

The other role she is most known for is that of Marta in the original “Star Trek” episode “Whom Gods Destroy.”  Covered in green paint from head to toe, she played an Orion Slave girl who tried to kill everyone’s favorite TV Captain.  (“Queen to King’s Level One” – just had to say it.)

Some of the other more popular shows she starred in were “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” “The Wild Wild West,” “Land of the Giants,” and “Starsky and Hutch” along with many others.  She also starred in many theatrical films, two of which starred the ‘King of Rock and Roll” himself, Elvis Presley (“It Happened at the World’s Fair” and “Kissin’ Cousins”).  For a full list of all her credits, you can check out her IMDB Page.

When her career eventually started to wind down, Ms. Craig moved over into the Real Estate business.  She did return to TV in 2009 to voice a character in the animated program “Olivia.”

Over the years, she has also appeared at many conventions signing autographs for fans, often appearing with her other bat costars.  Which brings me to this little nugget of a story.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Craig at one of these autograph sessions several years back.  I am not an autograph hound and rarely collect them.  But in this case, I had come across a very rare authentic piece of “Batman” memorabilia and thought it would be fun if I could have the cast of the show sign it.  As luck would have it, they were all appearing together at one of these Hollywood Autograph Shows in Burbank, CA. 

All of the surviving members were there (Adam West, Burt Ward, Julie Newmar, Lee Meriwether, and Yvonne Craig).  I went to Ms. Craig’s table first.  She asked if I planned on having everyone there sign for me.  I told her I did.  She then told me it would be in my best interest not to have her sign first, or for that matter, have anyone sign until Adam West has done so first.  She said if Adam sees that other cast member’s signatures on my item, he is going to charge double his usual rate (probably because he thinks you’ll sell it – which is why he insists on personalizing every signature, to possibly devalue it, I suppose).

In the end, she saved me some money when she really didn’t have to say anything to me about it.  I always found that very kind of her.

So in closing, I thought I would post two scripts from the original 60’s “Batman” TV show.  Both scripts are from Batgirl’s first adventures with Batman and Robin. 

Just click on the pics below to access the scripts. 

Enter Batgirl, Exit Penguin (Originally aired Wednesday, Sep 14, 1967 on ABC) – “The Penquin kidnaps Barbara Gordon and plans on marrying her. Batman & Robin track down the Penquin and with the help of Batgirl, the new crimefighter in town, fights him.”

Ring Around the Riddler (Originally aired Aired Wednesday, Sep 21, 1967 on ABC) – “The Riddler comes to Gotham to rig the boxing matches of the champ.”