A story more than 40 years in the making, Adam West of Batman fame returns to the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas.

The Paramount Theatre, once known as the Majestic Theatre, premiered the film Batman in 1966. The old movie palace won the honor because a number of scenes from the film were filmed in the Austin area.

On Sunday, June 6th, 2010 as part of the City of Austin’s “Night of the Bat” in which the mayor proclaimed the bat the official mascot of Austin, the Paramount Theatre rescreened the camp classic film to a packed audience. Adam West himself who stood on the same stage four decades previously introduced the film and took questions from the audience.

Adam West himself was gracious and funny – declaring himself the ‘Bright Knight’ in contrast to today’s much darker depictions of the DC comic book character Batman in film. The film brought back the feeling of a bygone era, transporting the audience back in time.

The spectacle was enhanced by the attendance of a non-human star of the original film, the Batmobile, which took its place under the sparkling marquee in front of the Theatre.

A few lucky attendees were able to attend a meet & greet with the Mayor of Quahog (Adam West provides the voice of the character in Fox’s Family Guy), and though a few of the younger attendees carried photos from the animated series, Batman reigned king. From toys to record, comics and photographs, everyone had a favorite memento to have signed and wore large smiles for priceless photographs.

The event took on a celebratory feeling, a perfect lead in for a night filled with additional festivities on the once Congress Avenue Bridge, recently renamed after former Texas Governor Anne Richards, in the heart of the Texas capital. If only all it took to recreate the magic of the day was a light in the sky signaling the Dynamic Duo.