Cowl Question for Chuck Williams

[Chuck Williams]

It looks like it makes it's debut in the Bookworm Batcave shots and I think in the first Bat-Climb with Jerry Lewis.

[Joel Ross]

Is it my imagination or is this cowl too small?

[Chuck Williams]

Cowls are funny things.
You think you are improving them by trying this or that but with every change comes a new issue to overcome or adapt to.

It could be the way it's padded or that by this time they could dial in a tighter opening to Adams face which makes it feel smaller.
It could also BE smaller by trimming away more of the shell trying to lighten it up.

They could have molded a shell that they liked the way it looked and the resulting cast could have shrunk a few percentage points.

In the second season they blow out the sides above the ears I suppose to keep his ears from showing or rubbing inside the fabric. Looks hilarious!

It seems they were tweaking them all the way to the end of the show.

[gerryd54]

Just wanted to say that I think all you guys are incredible. Your passion and your attention to detail is mind-blowing. I am a Guy Williams/Zorro fan so I've gone through many of these same things regarding costume. It's been educational and rewarding and sometimes frustrating. I thought I was a stickler for detail but you folks have definitely raised the bar.

[Chuck Williams]

Thanks gerryd54!!

[harveytwoface999]

Sorry to bump an old thread, but here's a cowl from late Season 2 that I figured I'd toss into the mix. Looks like the black paint on the face is missing that lower "bump" that runs from the corner of the eye to the bottom edge of the face, so the whole face shape just looks like one solid curve that tapers off at the bottom. Not sure how common this type of paint job is, but given how wildly different one cowl looks from the next, I'd imagine anything goes.

[Chuck Williams]

Yep, there are a couple that I can remember that are just rounded shapes.
The later paint jobs like the Hardeman just give a slight nod to the bottom kick out.

After the first season, all bets were off with any quality control.

I've learned that some folk can't see much difference in the details of these, surprisingly.
It's blue and it's a mask= Batman to some.
I think that's also why a lot of comments talk about how it makes anyone who wears one look "exactly like Adam West".

Great to have you back on the board buddy!!!

Chuck...

[Chuck Williams]

Just ran across this old thread and wanted to update it with new info.
One, I did do the ear extension/ blend on my cowl and two, I'm making a replica of the screen test cowl for a client that owns the original tunic from the screen test!

[Scott Sebring]

Love that shot!

[Batman65]

Agree with Scott. That is an awesome pic Chuck!

[Hedji]

It is just full of life in that photo! Brilliant!

[Chuck Williams]

Thanks Guys!!!

[Ben Bentley]

Just ran across this old thread and wanted to update it with new info.
One, I did do the ear extension/ blend on my cowl and two, I'm making a replica of the screen test cowl for a client that owns the original tunic from the screen test!

That is a really cool shot! It makes my mind race with some of the other iconic images we could recreate. I'd love to shoot a bunch of these with you!

Also - Awesome to know someone out there has the screen test tunic! Iconic, in it's own right admittedly.

[Chuck Williams]

Thanks Ben!! So would I. I'm strictly the point and shoot variety of camera person. Having a real photographer have at it would be a blast!

Yep, the owner wants to make a display with the tunic, head and replica screen test cowl. Really looking forward to it...

[Joel Ross]

Yes!! My old thread continues!! Thank you Chuck for updating us with that great shot of your cowl. Never get tired of seeing variations on the theme. Long live the cowl!