Leanna as herself and as Batgirl

 

Leanna in her own words:

            "I want to thank "Bat Rob" and Wally for making a dream come true, giving me a chance to be Batgirl, if only for a few hours.

             I began watching "Batman" as a child and the program made a huge impression on me, forming my views of justice, ethics, good citizenship...  Oh, hell, the truth is, I fell in love with Batman!  How could I not?  So suave, sophisticated, well-spoken, generous, good to his Aunt and young ward, brave, strong, self-assured, rich and heart-stoppingly drop-dead HANDSOME!  I didn't know what sex was yet, but I knew sexy when I saw it.  Yes, devastatingly gorgeous Adam West's portrayal of Batman became my ideal of manhood. I wished I could date him, but I knew Batman was too serious about fighting crime for a regular girlfriend.  And then came Batgirl!  A kick-ass, yet

feminine, crime-fighting gal who could mix it up and hang with Batman on his turf!  Here was the answer to my prayers- if I could be Batgirl, I'd be a woman Batman could love.  I longed to be Batgirl, to be that mix of moral and physical strength while having great boobs and a cool motorcycle. I was in awe of Batgirl, as portrayed by Yvonne Craig, as she fought crime with swift kicks from her elegantly extended, shapely legs.  My favorite episode was when Batman, Robin and Batgirl got tied into a human knot.  That set my little-girl heart a-flutter!  Oh, to be tied in a knot with Batman / Adam! (In my fantasy, Robin has been edited out!)

 

            Well, time passed and Batman faded from the airwaves.  But the "damage" was done.  Batman and Batgirl were my ideals of male and female adulthood.  So I arranged to grow up to be a shapely petite woman, so I'd be ready to find my Batman (okay, that part happened naturally, but I wonder sometimes if my mind influenced my physical shape).  Anyway, as a real grown-up with work and responsibilities, I'd sort of put Batman out of my head until I met Rob, who revived  my interest and enthusiasm.  Rob has shown me you can be a grown-up and still go ga-ga over Batman!  When, he told me he might be able to get me a Batgirl suit to pose in, I told him that was a nice thought but not to knock himself out. He was sweet to even try and that meant a lot to me.   However, thanks to Wally, Rob was actually able to obtain the Batgirl suit for one afternoon.  One glorious afternoon!  An afternoon that was a dream come true.  From the moment I put the suit on and it fit perfectly, I felt transformed.  I was that wholesome, yet sexy, agent of justice who could be Batman's other half.

 

              It was a great photo shoot (some thoughts running through my head, "Okay, boobs out, pelvis forward, shoulders back... get a load o' this, Batman!  You likey?  Then marry me and we'll be perfect super-hero spouses, please please please please please?!?!?!")

             It's true I didn't want to take off the suit.  When we took the suit back to Wally's, I tried to buy it off him.   I kept thinking of ways I should have posed in it, but didn't think of at the time.   But Wally managed to pry it out of my hands, which was okay, I guess, because then I could pet his cute dog (there really is a dog, that's not a new expression for, uh, you know...).

            Wearing the Batgirl suit may have been a once-in-a-lifetime event for me.  I am grateful to Wally and Rob for the experience.   However, my deepest respect and appreciation goes to Yvonne Craig, Adam West and Burt Ward who wore their suits for years.  Although no one can ever re-create Yvonne's achievement in portraying Batgirl, it was fun to try for an afternoon.  The whole cast of Batman, regular cast and guest stars, were brilliant actors-- I am sure I picked up on that, too and have applied it to my acting work.  Batman was a rare program that entertained all ages while carrying influential positive messages to impressionable young minds.  Thank you, dynamic trio, for making me the person and performer I am today. "

Leanna Chamish links:

"Bat Rob's" thoughts about the Batgirl photo-shoot:


Rob and Leanna on the movie set for
"Her Morbid Desires"

 

            "I wanted to take this time to thank Wally Wingert again for loaning me the replica Batgirl suit he has in his collection. My close friend - East Coast Actress/Model Leanna Chamish - was recently in town to work on a movie project. Knowing that she is a HUGE Adam West fan, and has always admired Yvonne Craig's television character, I thought it would be great if I could set up a photo-shoot where she got to portray her favorite super heroine.

            I short time ago I asked fans and people in the Bat community if any one had a Batgirl costume for loan (and I don’t mean the mid 1990s version). To make a long story short, Wally stepped up to bat (no pun intended) and graciously loaned me the costume from his collection.

            I had told Leanna that I might be able to get this for the photo-shoot. I'm sure she initially felt "Well, if it happens that will be great, but let's not hold our breath!" However, I like to help make people's dreams come true. After I picked her up from the airport and we got her checked in, it was off to the studio.

            She broke into a big smile when she saw the outfit. We took photos of her at each stage of putting on the costume (No, she wasn't changing in front of me. Get your minds out of the gutter! LOL!). First the body suit, then the utility belt, gloves, boots, cowl, and cape. With each article put on I could see her getting more and more into the character. I don't think even she knew how much she would get into it and enjoy the experience. Then again, how often do dreams come true?

            For two hours Leanna and I had an absolute blast with the photo session! She looked incredible in the suit, and I felt like I had been transported back to 1967. By the end of the shoot, Leanna didn’t want to give the suit back! I think we’re going to have to get her a Batgirl outfit of her own.

            We finished up the shoot, went to dinner, and then stopped by Wally's to drop off the uniform. She got to meet him and see his fantastic Batman collection. I have described Wally's place as a funhouse smashed into a museum. we had a great time with the ever-busy-with-a-project Mr. Wingert, and I'm sure it was a day she will never forget.

            Wally DID get some cool Batman cards as a thank you.

            On behalf of Leanna and myself, I would like to thank Wally for helping make her first day back in Tinsel Town a most memorable one. Mr. Wingert is – once again – “Da Man!”

            We hope you enjoy the photos from this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Same Bat Time,

Same Bat Channel,

                         ---- Bat Rob " 6/08/2005

And Now...
The Gallery of PICS!!