Who would you pick to play Poison Ivy?

[mattman]

In my new 'show' I have cast Joanne Kelly as Ivy

[exm]

I thought epaddon's Barbara Rhoades casting idea was the best, an idea I think he took the ball and ran with in at least one story on twof's site. I think I missed why she wasn't a possibilty in 1967....?

I still think Charo was the ideal casting for Siren...

[epaddon]

In 1967, Barbara was still a total unknown getting her first TV guest shots in a couple Universal shows. The next year she got her first major break in the Don Knotts comedy and had another high profile role in one other movie that year so that come 69 or 70 she would have had just enough previous visibilty to be a better candidate for Ivy than in 67.

I used her twice actually in those stories. The nice thing about her is that all the imagery I utilized of her (especially from Quark) could make you believe she was Ivy even without resorting to a photoshopping technique of putting the Ivy costume on her.

Your kind remark on Ivy casting shall make me graciously say "No comment!" on the Siren casting matter. But I can see Charo as another kind of villainess whose plot is to confound all of Gotham City by making them speak in accents more unintelligible than hers!

[Riddler 66]

In 1968, Ann Margaret would have been my 1st choice, but I agree with everyone that suggests Tina Louise. Natalie Wood would have been batastic!
For today, I'd have Mila Kunis.

[exm]

In 1967, Barbara was still a total unknown getting her first TV guest shots in a couple Universal shows. The next year she got her first major break in the Don Knotts comedy and had another high profile role in one other movie that year so that come 69 or 70 she would have had just enough previous visibilty to be a better candidate for Ivy than in 67.

I used her twice actually in those stories. The nice thing about her is that all the imagery I utilized of her (especially from Quark) could make you believe she was Ivy even without resorting to a photoshopping technique of putting the Ivy costume on her.

I believe the only Louie the Lilac story on twof's site is a Mr. Deathtrap tale where Louie was the secondary baddie and Poison Ivy the main one...BUT they could have flipped that arrangement for the TV series, used Rhoades to play moll/amateur super-villain Poison Ivy, with Berle's Louie as the main villain, and everybody'd still be happy. I was trying to think of a case on the show where the super-villain was relatively unknown, but I guess you're correct they never took a risk there.

[elmrgraham]

Either Barbara Rhoades,Tina Louise,Ann Margret,or Joanne Kelly could play Poison Ivy.

[Riddler 66]

One I forgot..Mary Ann Mobley would have been good. She was apparently seriously for Batgirl as well.

[High C]

In 1967: Tina Louise
1972: Barbara Rhoades
1979: Ann-Margret
1999: Julianne Moore

[epaddon]

And to add to that timeline, 1982: Rebecca Holden from "Knight RIder"!

Plus, if there'd been a Batman and an Ivy in 1955, Amanda Blake of "Gunsmoke" would have been perfect.

[Evan Batz Keith]

Actually, coming off her success as 2 very popular red headed "villanesses" I would see if I could get Marcia Cross to play Pamela Isley/Poison Ivy

[Evan Batz Keith]

The only actress now I think capable of playing a redheaded villianess NOW is that red headed lady of criminality Marcia Cross... (pause for boo's and No's) lol! Back then there was only one woman I believe would have been appropriate and I agree with many of you, Tina Louise

[High C]

Welcome back to the board, EBK! Marcia Cross definitely makes sense in terms of a current actress. Even though she's 50, she certainly looks younger.

[epaddon]

Just as Lee Grant didn't look 40 in 1967. (had to plug her again!)

[mattman]

I'm sticking with Joanne Kelly.She's stunning,a cult tv actress and oozes that plant-like seductive prowness,lol.She's not a natural redhead but I invented something yesterday-HAIR DYE!!!!!,lol
Some great choices from down the years, great idea for a new blog-if the show continued who could have replaced original actors as it went on.

[Riddler Fan]

All are good suggestions, but sadly we'll never get to see any actress as Poison Ivy from our favorite TV show. Poison Ivy first appeared in the summer of 1966 in Batman #181. By then the show was already on TV and a smash hit. So many scripts had already been written that little attention was given to what some thought was only a one time villain. Bob Kane tried several new characters and not all of them became as legenday as Poison Ivy eventually did. I do feel that Louis The Lillac was based on Poison Ivy, both used plants as their weapons. I do wish the writers had stuck with using villains created by Bob Kane and not the ones created for the show. Some as we have discussed were lame bordering on pathetic (Minerva!!).