This Day in Pop Culture for June 23

1989: Warner Bros. Takes on a Big Chance

When Warner Bros. made plans to produce a new movie based on the Batman character, people were skeptical. They weren’t crazy that it would be directed by Tim Burton and that Michael “Mr. Mom” Keaton would be playing the Caped Crusader. Some were even upset that Adam West, who played Batman on the 1966 TV series, wasn’t playing the lead role. But in the end, the movie was a critical and financial success.

Based on the DC Comics character created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, Batman starred Keaton (Bruce Wayne/Batman), Jack Nicholson (The Joker), Kim Basinger (Vicki Vale), Billy Dee Williams (Harvey Dent), Jack Palance (Carl Grissom) and Michael Gough (who played Alfred Pennyworth for all four movies).

Production Designer, Anton Furst, aimed to create the “ugliest and bleakest metropolis imaginable” by mixing architectural styles and using a lot of muted tones. In contrast was The Joker’s bright-colored costumes. The movie was shot at Pinewood Studios in England using 18 sound stages. The music for the movie was supplied by a usual duo – Danny Elfman and Prince.

While not unanimous, the movie pleased a number of movie critics. However, Burton himself was just okay with end product. He told Empire, “I liked parts of it, but the whole movie is mainly boring to me. It’s OK, but it was more of a cultural phenomenon than a great movie.” (Image: Warner Bros.)

1868: Patent is Received for the Typewriter

After his printers went on strike, newspaperman, Christopher Sholes made a few attempts (although unsuccessful) to invent a typesetting machine. He collaborated with another printer, Samuel Soule and a friend, Carlos Glidden and the three created the first mechanical typewriter machine in 1867.

The early attempt had a few flaws, but Sholes received a patent for the device on this day in 1868. An investor, James Densmore bought out Soule and Glidden for a share in the machine. After some improvements, the pair received a new patent in 1871.

By 1873, the invention was sold to Eliphalet Remington and Sons, which is better known for its sales of electric razors sold today.

1976: Logan Starts Running

Based on William F. Nolan’s book of the same name, the dystopian sci-fi flick, Logan’s Run premiered on this day. In this universe, the population is controlled by killing off citizens when they reach the ripe old age of 30, hence, the reason why Logan is running.

The movie starred Michael York, Jenny Agutter and Farrah Fawcett, who MGM promoted heavily even though she only had a bit part in the film.

Logan’s Run was nominated for two Academy Awards and won for a special award for its visual effects. The movie also won six Saturn Awards including Best Science Fiction Film. The following year, a short-lived TV show based on the movie aired on CBS. (Image: Wikipedia)