Detective Comics #359, the first issue of January 1967, featured “The Million Dollar Debut of Batgirl!” They were getting Batgirl into fan’s minds before she would debut on the show, even if there had already been another Batgirl, Bette Kane, who first showed up in Batman #139. Post-Crisis, her name would be changed to Flamebird.

The show was suffering from lower ratings, but producer William Dozier felt that if they introduced a younger female, it would do two things: introduce some new blood and refute any worries that Batman and Robin were gay.

ABC executives needed to be convinced that Yvonne Craig was the right person for the role, so this pilot — where she would fight Killer Moth (Tim Herbert), same as the first time she showed up in comics — was ordered. She also meets Batman (Adam West) and Robin (Burt Ward), setting up the next season of the show.

You can also spot future Peach Pit owner Joe E. Tata as one of the henchmen, as well as TV vet Guy Way and stuntman Al Wyatt Sr.

In an interview, Craig said, “…while Batgirl is an active type, she is also very feminine. None of that smacking people low with karate and kung-fu. In my opinion, three karate chops, and you’ve lost your femininity. If a girl goes on a date and a fellow gets fresh, she can’t very well give him a karate chop for a good-night. But if she ducks, she’s simply adept and feminine. Batgirl will be aiding and assisting Batman and Robin, not constantly rescuing then. I like that, too.” That’s because Batgirl wasn’t allowed to throw punches, as TV executives thought that the show Honey West got bad ratings because all of her brawling made her less feminine.

In spite of adding the sexier Batgirl, as well as Eartha Kitt taking over from Julie Newmar as Catwoman and female villains like Marsha, Queen of Diamonds (Carolyn Jones), Olga, Queen of Cossacks (Anne Baxter), Nora Clavicle (Barbara Rush), Minerva (Zsa Zsa Gabor) and Lorelei Circe (Joan Collins), the show fell out of favor, ending in the third season.

You can watch this on Daily Motion.