Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is a 1993 animated superhero film, set in the universe of Batman: The Animated Series, which follows Batman as he reconciles with former lover Andrea Beaumont, and faces a mysterious vigilante who is murdering Gotham City's crime bosses.
- Directed by Gary Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm. Written by Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Martin Pasko, and Michael Reaves.
The Dark Knight fights to save Gotham City from its deadliest enemy.
Batman
[edit]- What am I still doing this for? It's gotta be one or the other. I can't have it both ways. I can't put myself on the line if someone's waiting for me at home.
The Phantasm
[edit]- Your angel of death awaits you.
The Joker
[edit]- Whoops! Ha! I guess the joke's on me. You're not Batman after all. Looks like there's a new face in Gotham and soon his name will be all over town... to say nothing of his legs, and feet, and spleen, and head...
- Listen, boopsie, even though you never call and never write, I still got a soft spot for you. So I'm sending you a fun gift...airmail. And there's no use jumping out the window this time, toots. The plane of the future is about to make you history! Hello? Hello, operator? I believe my party's been...disconnected!
- Wrong! It ain't the Bat! Nope, nope, nope. I've seen the guy. He looks more like the Ghost of Christmas Future.
- For once, I'm stuck without a punchline.
- Well, lady, I'm impressed. You're harder to kill than a cockroach on steroids.
Dialogue
[edit]- Arthur Reeves: He's a loose cannon, commissioner. It's not just my opinion. A lot of people, including the police, think Batman's as unstable as the crooks. What kind of city are we running when we depend on the support of a potential madman!
- Alfred Pennyworth: Such rot, sir! Why, you're the very model of sanity. Oh, by the way, I pressed your tights and put away your exploding gas balls.
- Batman: [deadpan] Thank you, Alfred.
- Andrea Beaumont: Don't you ever knock?
- Batman: Have you ever seen this?
- Andrea Beaumont: No.
- Batman: But that's your father. He's the one who set up their corporate partnership.
- Andrea Beaumont: Well? That's his job.
- Batman: He was the one element that tied these gangsters together. Where's your father now?
- Andrea Beaumont: Haven't a clue. He's a world traveler, remember? Why don't you try Madagascar?
- Batman: That's not what you warned Reeves. You warned him you were closer than ever to your father.
- Andrea Beaumont: You had me bugged, is that it?
- Batman: I can read lips.
- Andrea Beaumont: Then read them now. Get out!
- Batman: Do you still follow your dad's orders?
- Andrea Beaumont: The way I see it, the only one in this room controlled by his parents is you.
- Andrea Beaumont: What's that you're practicing?
- Bruce Wayne: Jiu jitsu.
- Andrea Beaumont: Gesundheit. [Bruce glares] That was a joke.
- Alfred Pennyworth: I read about your anonymous exploits, and I must say... are you sure you won't reconsider rugby?
- Bruce Wayne: Sorry, Alfred, but the plan is working. I had the edge. I could feel it! There was only one thing wrong. They weren't afraid of me. I've got to strike fear in them.
- Batman: You think you know everything about me, don't you?
- Alfred Pennyworth: I diapered your bottom; I bloody well ought to... sir!
- Andrea Beaumont: Dad, are you alright?
- Carl Beaumont: Pack a suitcase. We've got to get to the airport now!
- Andrea Beaumont: What?! But you said you'd have the money!
- Carl Beaumont: It's not that simple. The money's tied up in investments. Could take weeks to free it up.
- Andrea Beaumont: But I can't leave! Bruce proposed to me! We're going to get married!
- Carl Beaumont: Listen to me, I just used up the last shred of pity Sal Valestra has. If I don't pay him back in 24 hours, he'll find us, and he'll kill us both!
- Andrea Beaumont: How...why'd you do this, dad?! Why'd you get involved with these people?!
- Carl Beaumont: I'm sorry, Andi. I just wanted a chance for you, to...I'll get you out of this. Somehow, we'll be free of those guys. Whatever it takes. Now that's a promise.
- [Sal Valestra arrives at the abandoned Gotham World's Fair to call on the Joker]
- The Joker: Gasp! Can it be? Old Sallie "The Wheezer" Valestra! Welcome, paesan! It's been a dog's age!
- Sal Valestra: Hello, Joker. Didn't mean to drop by unannounced.
- The Joker: Oh, Salvatore, why so formal? Mi casa nostra es su casa nostra! [shoves him into a rollercoaster] So, what's an old-timer like you want with a two-timer like me?
- Sal Valestra: Business. I got––
- The Joker: Ooh! Business! Sounds like fun! Come, we'll repair to more comfortable environs. Now hold onto your hat and watch those valuables, it's going to be a bumpy ride! [laughs]
- [The rollercoaster takes off, Valestra left wheezing as they arrive at the "House of the Future"]
- The Joker: Honey, I'm home! Oh, don't mind my home security system. Down, Rusty! [kicks the mechanical dog waiting nearby] Can't be too careful with all these weirdos around! [chuckles as he walks over to the mechanical maid] What? Meat loaf again? Oh, I had it for lunch! Isn't Hazel here a cutie? True, she's a real homebody, but you can't help who you fall in love with! Come, have a seat, Sal. Tell what's on your so-called mind.
- Sal Valestra: It's Batman. He's gone nuts! First he whacked Chuckie Sol, then Buzz, and now he's after me!
- The Joker: Ya know, I've been reading lately how old Guano-Man is wound tight enough to snap. [chortles] Wouldn't it be great if I've eventually driven him off the deep end?
- Sal Valestra: This isn't a joke! Batman's knocking us off, and you're the only one who can take him down! Look, five million up front, with whatever you want to finish him off!
- The Joker: [yawns dramatically] What do I look like, pest control?
- Sal Valestra: Think, you fool! Once he gets me, how long till he gets you? You know what I'm talking about! [grabs him by the lapels] Your hands are just as dirty! Dirtier!
- The Joker: [snarls in rage] Don't touch me, old man! [calmer] I don't know where you've been! [chuckles] Oh, Sal, no one could take a joke like you. Of course I'll help you out!
- Sal Valestra: Really?
- The Joker: Certainement! No way is anybody gonna hurt my pal Sal. [Valestra smiles] That's it, that's what I want to see. [ominously] A nice big smile!
- Bruce Wayne: It doesn't mean I don't care anymore. I don't want to let you down, honest, but... but it just doesn't hurt so bad anymore. You can understand that, can't you? Look, I can give money to the city - they can hire more cops. Let someone else take the risk, but it's different now! Please! I need it to be different now. I know I made a promise, but I didn't see this coming. I didn't count on being happy. Please...tell me that it's okay.
- Andrea Beaumont: Maybe they already have. Maybe they sent me.
- [Councilman Reeves is on the phone with the police]
- Arthur Reeves: You're tellin' me there were four precincts on Batman's heels, and he still got away?! [slams the phone down] Unbelievable.
- The Joker: Tsk tsk. And to think our tax money goes to pay those jerks.
- Arthur Reeves: You! [runs to the door to his outer office]
- The Joker: [chuckles] That's right, Artie. Bring in the press, why don't you? What a photo-op: The councilman and his wacky pal.
- Arthur Reeves: You're no friend of mine.
- The Joker: [look of mock pain] Oh, Artie, I'm crushed! How the high and mighty forget! Don't you remember - you, me, Sallie and the gang?
- Arthur Reeves: What are you talkin' about? I never met them or you. I worked for Beaumont! I didn't know what he was doing!
- The Joker: Oh, but you knew about it afterwards... and put it to good use, eh?
- Arthur Reeves: What do you want?
- The Joker: To find out who's iced the old gang!
- Arthur Reeves: Haven't you read the papers? It's Batman!
- The Joker: [presses his hand buzzer] Ehhh! Wrong! It ain't the Bat. Nope nope nope. I've seen the guy. He looks more like the Ghost of Christmas Future... nowhere near as cute as Batboy.
- Arthur Reeves: You're saying it's someone else?
- The Joker: Yeah. Someone who wouldn't mind seeing our old pals out of the way. [gasps dramatically] Maybe - gulp, sob - me too! That's when I thought about you, Arturo. An important upstanding guy like you could find it... awkward if certain secrets were revealed about his past?
- Arthur Reeves: Wait, you don't mean that I -- [his intercom buzzes]
- Secretary: Mr. Reeves, Ms. Beaumont on the line.
- The Joker: Beaumont? Not the babe... ohh, you devil! [toggles the intercom]
- Andrea Beaumont: Arthur? Arthur, are you there? [the Joker quietly chuckles, while gesturing to keep quiet about him]
- Arthur Reeves: H-hello, Andrea. We're-we're still on for lunch, right?
- Andrea Beaumont: I'm sorry, I can't. I got hung up. I'll explain everything tonight, okay? [the Joker nods]
- Arthur Reeves: Uh, alright. I'll-I'll see you then.
- The Joker: [hangs up the phone] Well, ain't that a co-inky-dink? We're talking about the old man, and the spawn of his loins just happens to call! [maliciously] Makes you want to laugh... doesn't it, Artie?
- [Batman confronts Reeves in the hospital after he's been poisoned by the Joker]
- Batman: Why did the Joker meet with you? It has to do with the gangster murders, doesn't it? He thinks you're involved! Why?!
- Arthur Reeves: I don't know...
- Batman: That's not the answer I want.
- Arthur Reeves: B-Beaumont needed me to help him and his kid get out of town. He kept in touch.
- Batman: When was the last time you spoke to him?
- Arthur Reeves: Years ago. My first election campaign... I was running out of money, and asked Beaumont for help. He said no!
- Batman: So you sold him to the mob!
- Arthur Reeves: I was broke! Desperate! They said all they wanted was their money back!
- The Phantasm: Joker... your angel of death awaits.
- The Joker: I'm impressed, lady. You're harder to kill than a cockroach on steroids.
- The Phantasm: So, you figured it out. [removes the mask to reveal Andrea Beaumont]
- The Joker: Gotta hand it to you, nice scheme. Costume's a bit theatrical, but hey, who am I to talk?
- Andrea Beaumont: You're not smiling, Joker. I thought you found death amusing.
- The Joker: Me? Oh, no. You won't hear a giggle out of me.
- Batman: Your father's dead, isn't he? You came into town early to get Chuckie Sol, so you could shift the blame to your father if you had to.
- Andrea Beaumont: They took everything, Bruce! My dad, my life...you. I'm not saying it's right, or even sane, but it's all I've got left. So either help me or get out of the way!
- Batman: You know I can't do that.
- Andrea Beaumont: Look what they did to us! Look what we could have had! They had to pay!
- Batman: But, Andi, what will vengeance solve?
- Andrea Beaumont: If anyone knows the answer to that question, Bruce, it's you.
- The Joker: You're crazy! I'm your only chance to get out of here! Let me go or we'll both die!
- Batman: Whatever it takes!
- The Joker: Uh oh. Okay, I give up. I've surrendered already! Tell her, Batman!
- Batman: Andrea, you have to get out of here. The place is wired to explode!
- Andrea Beaumont: No. One way or another, it ends tonight. Goodbye, my love.
- Bruce Wayne: I couldn't save her, Alfred.
- Alfred Pennyworth: I don't think she wanted to be saved, sir. Vengeance blackens the soul, Bruce. I always feared you would become that which you fought against. You walk the edge of that abyss every night. But you haven't fallen in, and I thank heaven for that. But Andrea fell into that pit years ago, and no one, not even you, could've pulled her back.
Cast
[edit]- Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne/Batman
- Dana Delany as Andrea Beaumont
- Mark Hamill as The Joker
- Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Alfred Pennyworth
- Bob Hastings as Commissioner James Gordon
- Robert Costanzo as Detective Harvey Bullock
- Hart Bochner as Arthur Reeves
- Stacy Keach as Carl Beaumont, The Phantasm
- Abe Vigoda as Salvatore Valestra
- Dick Miller as Charles "Chuckie" Sol
- John P. Ryan as Buzz Bronski
- Arleen Sorkin as Mrs. Bambi
External links
[edit]
Categories:
- 1993 animated films
- 1990s American animated films
- Traditionally animated films
- American children's animated action films
- American children's animated superhero films
- Films based on animated television series
- DC Comics
- Animated Batman films
- Theatrically released animated superhero films
- Animated Joker films
- Animated films about revenge