Otto Preminger had been one of Hollywood's preeminent directors. That's why it was puzzling when he accepted a role on the 1960's campy version of Batman. The normally serious gentleman went crazy in a scene stealing romp as Mr. Freeze.
Many chalked this up to his discovery of a college aged son he never knew he had with famed strip tease dancer Gypsy Rose Lee. Others claimed it might have been the early signs of dementia, but regardless of the reason, it led to his next ambitious project- the psychedelic 'today' picture Skidoo.
Hollywood at the time was desperate for something that could register with the youth of the day and Mr. Preminger wanted to impress his new son, so he eagerly began putting together his 'today' picture featuring the stars of yesteryear who coincidentally had also done time on Batman.
Frank Gorshin, teen idol
Burgess Meredith, Hip with the youth of the day
Cesar Romero, Hippie Icon
With a cast more suited to the Sunset Rest Home than the Sunset Strip, this 'Today' picture had a 'Yesterday' vibe. And it tanked at the box office, helping 'Skidoo' Otto Preminger out of Hollywood.
